2023 NFL Season: Who are the five best AFC teams?

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 29: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals stretches prior to the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 29: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals stretches prior to the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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The AFC might be the most competitive and deep conference in the history of the league, and these five teams stick out as being the best.  The two best teams in the AFC met in the conference championship game in 2022… and they also met in the 2021 AFC Championship Game as well.

The Chiefs and the Bengals are the premier teams in this conference.  The conference goes through Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes until it doesn’t.

However, besides the obvious top two team in the conference, there are a plethora of other teams who have a chance at making a deep playoff run.

Who are the best five teams in the AFC?

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 02: New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner attend game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on May 02, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 02: New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner attend game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on May 02, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

2023 NFL Season: Who are the five best AFC teams?

No. 5: New York Jets

Between their top five scoring defense last year and their Aaron Rodgers‘ addition, I think the Jets are going to be a good team.  They do have perhaps the best overall roster in the conference, but I could also see a scenario where the team disappoints.

I could put the Miami Dolphins in at the number five slot easily, but I do think the Jets are going to make this thing work for 2023, at least.

No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars were a surprise team in 2022 and not only made the playoffs, but erased a huge playoff deficit in the Wild Card Round to take down the Los Angeles Chargers, who you’ll notice did not make the top five ranking.

Trevor Lawrence is going to be an MVP candidate in 2023 and their coaching, led by Doug Pederson, is excellent.