Even the 12-1 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and 10-3 Pittsburgh Steelers have main wants.
Within the spirit of the vacation season, Yardbarker NFL writers determine the right present for all groups within the AFC.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS (10-3) | A domed stadium | Followers watch NFL video games to see the world’s best athletes compete on the highest degree, not fall about in snow because the Payments and 49ers did in Week 13. A brand new Highmark Stadium is below development subsequent to the unique, however it won’t have a dome, one thing that ought to come normal for a project with a $2.1B price tap (h/t Associated Press).
MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-7) | Extra sacks | Beneath defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the Dolphins had the third-most sacks (56) within the NFL final season however at the moment have the second-fewest (24) within the league. In the meantime, the Eagles (the place Fangio is DC this season) are tied for the seventh-most sacks (37) and allow a league-low 284.2 yards per game.
NEW YORK JETS (3-10) | A lump of coal | Because of a 32-26 time beyond regulation loss to the Dolphins in Week 14, the Jets will miss the playoffs for the 14th season in a row, the longest such streak in main American skilled sports activities. Even with future Corridor of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers on the helm, New York made the “naughty checklist” by averaging the sixth-fewest yards (299.8) and eighth-fewest factors (19.3) per sport. Plus, it has 99 penalties, the third most within the league.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-10) | A real No. 1 receiver | The Patriots haven’t had a top-20 huge receiver since Julian Edelman completed 18th with 1,117 receiving yards in 2019. Tight finish Hunter Henry leads the group with 610 yards receiving. With a league-high $138M in projected cap house for subsequent season, the group should put a high-end receiver (Missouri’s Luther Burden III? Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins?) — both excessive within the draft or in free company — on its want checklist. — Bruce Ewing
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS (8-5) | A playoff journey | Denver has received 5 of its previous seven video games and will finish its eight-year postseason drought if it retains rolling. As of Wednesday, ESPN’s Football Power Index provides the Broncos a 72.5 p.c likelihood to make the playoffs.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-1) | Improved cross safety for QB Patrick Mahomes | The Chiefs have began three left tackles (D.J. Humphries, Wanya Morris and rookie Kingsley Suamataia), however every has struggled to guard Mahomes’ blind aspect. By means of his first 13 video games, Mahomes has been sacked 35 occasions, tied for the sixth most within the league.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-11) | The No. 1 general choose within the 2025 NFL Draft | Vegas most likely doesn’t really feel merry or shiny amid a misplaced season, however touchdown the No. 1 choose would give the franchise hope. If the Raiders do acquire it, they might take Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, who ranks second within the FBS in landing passes (35 in 12 video games).
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (8-5) | A information on the right way to win shut video games | The Chargers hoped head coach Jim Harbaugh would assist them win extra nail-biters, however they’re nonetheless faltering in these matchups. L.A. has misplaced 4 one-possession video games, together with two to Ok.C. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-3) | No. 1 seed within the AFC | This feels unlikely contemplating their brutal schedule down the stretch (at Eagles, at Ravens, vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals), however the Steelers may win out and hope the Chiefs lose two of their final 4 video games and the Payments lose as soon as. The excellent news for the Steelers is that they play Kansas Metropolis on Christmas Day in what will likely be a large end result for AFC playoff seeding.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-5) | Corridor of Fame security Ed Reed to come back out of retirement | The Ravens received’t win the Tremendous Bowl except their passing protection goes by means of a miraculous transformation down the stretch. Baltimore ranks final within the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (264.9) and twenty fourth in opponent third-down conversion charge (42.9 p.c), so it may use prime Reed — the previous Ravens star who retired in 2015 — again in uniform.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-8) | A brand new defensive coordinator | Joe Burrow is taking part in at an MVP degree, and Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL in catches (93), receiving yards (1,319) and receiving touchdowns (15). The Bengals must be preventing for the AFC North title, however they possible received’t make the playoffs on account of their Twenty ninth-ranked scoring protection (27.7 PPG) below coordinator Lou Anarumo.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-10) | A paper shredder for Deshaun Watson’s contract | Watson has was one of many worst quarterbacks within the NFL, and it’s onerous to see him enhancing coming off a ruptured Achilles. As if that isn’t unhealthy sufficient for the Browns, Watson nonetheless has two years left on his $230M contract. — Jack Dougherty
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS (8-5) | A greater offensive line | Houston has underwhelmed this season largely on account of its offensive line, which ranks 26th in ESPN’s pass-block win-rate rankings and thirtieth in run-blocking conditions. In consequence, QB C.J. Stroud has been sacked 41 occasions, three greater than all of final season.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-7) | A dart board for Anthony Richardson | Richardson, chosen No. 4 general within the 2023 NFL Draft, has well-documented accuracy points (47.4 p.c completion charge) this season. Perhaps somebody ought to give him a dart board to follow his accuracy — if he can hit a bullseye, he can hit his receivers within the fingers.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-10) | New GM/HC | Head coach Doug Pederson may very well be on the best way out after a second consecutive shedding season, and he ought to take GM Trent Baalke with him. As for a substitute, if solely there have been a Tremendous Bowl winner with GM and training expertise looking for a job…
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-10) | The No. 1 general choose | The Titans would possibly already be out there for a substitute for second-year quarterback Will Levis, who’s piloting one of many league’s worst offenses. There’s arguably no higher manner for Tennessee, which at the moment holds the No. 6 choose (h/t Tankathon), to enhance on the place than by touchdown the primary choose in April’s 2025 NFL Draft. — Eric Smithling