When it comes to making AFC playoff predictions ahead of a given NFL season, you start with the Patriots. New England has been to eight consecutive conference championship games, going 5-3 and going on to win the Super Bowl in three of the past five trips.
Last season, the Chiefs became the Patriots' sixth AFC title opponent in that stretch, joining the Ravens, Colts, Broncos, Steelers and Jaguars. Although there are few more teams vying to expand that list to seven, there's a good chance there will be some kind of rematch at the end of the 2019 AFC playoffs.
2019 NFL PREDICTIONS:
AFC East | AFC West | AFC North | AFC South
NFC East | NFC West | NFC North | NFC South
Based on our division-by-division NFL picks for 2019, here is our forecast for the postseason to determine which AFC team reaches Super Bowl 54.
NFL predictions 2019: AFC playoffs
1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-2), AFC West champions
Patrick Mahomes won't suddenly have a drop-off now that he has a little more experience and much of the same offensive support. He will put together another dazzling, MVP-caliber season with better complementary help from the defense.
The Chiefs will look to do better than just repeating with the top seed.
2. New England Patriots (13-3), AFC East champions
The Patriots' defense was the lasting impression of their latest Super Bowl run, stamped by their dominance against the Rams. That will remain the backbone of the team, with a strong rushing attack continuing to take pressure off Tom Brady and his ever-changing offensive skill players.
Picking New England to finish any lower than this in the AFC standings is futile.
3. Cleveland Browns (11-5), AFC North champions
Do not adjust your eyes. The Browns will not just crash the playoff party; they will throw an all-out bash.
Baker Mayfield will deliver to make them solid division champs as they end their postseason drought at 16 seasons. This is called exceeding expectations and setting up some marquee matchups for Mayfield.
4. Indianapolis Colts (11-5), AFC South champions
The Colts remain the projected AFC South champions even after the sudden QB change from Andrew Luck to Jacoby Brissett. Their support system on both sides of the ball and coaching are just so strong in relation to the rest of the division.
While there will be a drop-off from an elite passer, the other, more experienced QBs in the division won't get the same help.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5), AFC wild card
Philip Rivers is locked in with arguably the best play of his career, and the Chargers are loaded with young talent everywhere.
They continue to overcome a tough home situation with a tougher mental makeup thanks to coach Anthony Lynn.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6), AFC wild card
Mike Tomlin will get the Steelers back into the playoffs after a one-year hiatus with one of the best coaching jobs of his career.
Devin Bush and Steven Nelson are key to a big defensive rebound, while Ben Roethlisberger will be lifted by the running game to offset the departure of Antonio Brown.
2019 NFL RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | Defenders | Coaches
NFL predictions 2019: AFC playoff picks
Wild-card playoffs:
- Browns over Steelers
- Chargers over Colts
Mayfield will give the Dawg Pound a win for the ages by out-dueling Big Ben to dispatch the Browns' hated rivals when it counts.
Rivers will get the better of Brissett in a gritty shootout. Defense will play a part, but per usual, superior quarterback play will punch the tickets to the next round.
Divisional playoffs:
- Patriots over Browns
- Chiefs over Chargers
Brady will remind Mayfield of how many rings he has, and Bill Belichick will get his first shot at creating some heartbreak for Cleveland by frustrating Odell Beckham Jr.
Mahomes and Rivers will light up the scoreboard in Arrowhead in what should be a spectacular rubber match, with the Arrowhead advantage being the difference in January.
AFC championship game:
- Chiefs over Patriots
The Chiefs will avoid overtime this time as Mahomes raises his game to sneak past the GOAT with help from the defensive scheme responsible for foiling the Patriots in Super Bowl 42.
Andy Reid gets his first conference title and Super Bowl trip in 15 years, and Kansas City gets to play in the big game for the first time in 50 years.
