Matt Verderame

5 days ago | si.com | Matt Verderame

For the second time in as many years, the Baltimore Ravens won the AFC North. And for the second time in as many years, the Pittsburgh Steelers reached the playoffs as a wild-card team, only to be bounced in the opening round. This offseason, the Ravens and Steelers did nothing but continue to assert themselves as likely postseason contenders.

5 days ago | si.com | Matt Verderame

In 2024, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers made the playoffs. If the Cincinnati Bengals hadn’t started 0–3, including a brutal Week 1 loss at home to the New England Patriots, there would have been three AFC North teams in the postseason. As for the Cleveland Browns, plenty would have needed to change. Going into 2025, the Ravens still appear to be the class of the division. The Steelers could be a real challenge to Baltimore, though, provided a certain quarterback signs.

6 days ago | si.com | Matt Verderame

The AFC West has been a one-way street for the better part of a decade. Don’t expect that to change in 2025. While we saw the division produce three playoff teams last season, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers were both rudely bounced in the opening round, while the Kansas Chiefs again made it to the Super Bowl, albeit getting trounced once there by the Philadelphia Eagles. So did anybody do enough to make the Chiefs sweat come September.

6 days ago | si.com | Matt Verderame

The AFC West was the strongest division in the conference last year, and it has the makings of being such again in 2025. After a terrific showing last year, the Denver Broncos appear to be riding an arrow pointing up, while the Kansas City Chiefs are still an excellent bet to not only win the division for a 10th consecutive year, but perhaps become only the second team in NFL history to reach four consecutive Super Bowls.

1 week ago | sacbee.com | Matt Verderame

3. Jacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars are trying to rebuild once more, this time with general manager James Gladstone and coach Liam Coen leading the way. Jacksonville is revamping the roster, having seen the retirement of center Mitch Morse, along with the releases of defensive back Ronald Darby, receivers Devin Duvernay and Josh Reynolds, and tight end Evan Engram. To replenish the team, Gladstone made a career-defining draft-day trade to land Travis Hunter at No. 2.