JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 17: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs signals to Creed Humphrey #52 and Trey Smith #65 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 17, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
I decided to take a look into the future and predict the next 10 AFC Champions:
2026: Buffalo Bills
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 16: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills calls a play at the line during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jason Hanna/Getty Images)
They always seem to be so close, and Josh Allen really is incredible. So perhaps this will finally be their year?
2027: Cincinnati Bengals
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 26: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after a first down during the third quarter in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 26, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
They have their stud WRs locked up, they have Joe Burrow, and quite frankly, they can win any game against any team any week.
2028: Los Angeles Chargers
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after defeating the Washington Football Team 20-16 at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
This is a team on the rise that will finally have a legitimate offense around Justin Herbert by 2027/2028.
2029: Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, JANUARY 20: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Not saying Lamar will finally get his Super Bowl win, but I do think he will finally get to play in the big game.
2030: Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 13: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts as he takes the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Miami Dolphins at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
This will be the last Super Bowl appearance for Patrick Mahomes.
2031: Denver Broncos
TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Bo Nix has an “IT” factor, and once the Chargers have their moment and the Chiefs have their final moment with Mahomes, it will be Denver’s division for a couple of years.
2032: New England Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 08: A detail of the New England Patriots logo on the field during the game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
They dominated the NFL for around 20 years, they have been terrible for the past four and will be for the next 5-6. At some point in the next decade, though, the Patriots will get back to glory.
2033: Pittsburgh Steelers
I wonder if Mike Tomlin will still be the head coach. Either way, the Steelers will, at some point, find their way back to a Super Bowl because it has been too long.
2034: Las Vegas Raiders
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 10: A team logo is shown above the entrance at the 336,000-square-foot Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center under construction on June 10, 2020 in Henderson, Nevada. The site will serve as the team’s practice facility and will include three outdoor football fields, a 150,000-square-foot field house with one-and-a-half indoor football fields, a three-story office area, and a 50,000-square-foot performance center. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Tom Brady will turn this franchise around. It will take some time, and every other team in the division will make a Super Bowl appearance before they do, but in 2033/2034, the Raiders will get to the Super Bowl.
2035: New York Jets
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 9: A close up of a New York Jets logo prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on November 9, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
How much longer are Jets fans going to have to suffer? At some point, you have to think that something positive will come. So, why not in 2035?
