AFC PREDICTIONS: How Many NEW Division Winners? Who CLAIMS the No. 1 Seed in 2026?

Houston Texans leapfrog the AFC South, but can C.J. Stroud sustain their rise against improved division rivals? Jaw-dropping AFC predictions see the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals as division winners, while traditional powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins face major doubts. Upset alert: both hosts place the Browns and Raiders near the bottom, with the Jets and Dolphins tumbling among disappointing AFC East finishes.Kyle Crabbs and Joe Marino break down every AFC division’s pecking order and playoff scenarios, spotlighting quarterback questions, coaching shifts, and defensive overhauls. Key names like Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Waddle feature in debates on the Bengals’ offensive firepower, Patriots’ roster depth, and the Chargers’ volatile outlook under Mike McDaniel. Do the Texans or Broncos have what it takes for a playoff run, or will upsets reshape the conference landscape? Don’t miss this candid, controversy-filled playoff roadmap.Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn ImagesSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!HomeChef For a limited time, Home Chef is offering my listeners FIFTY PERCENT OFF and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life! Go to http://HomeChef.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Quo Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to http://Quo.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast.PrizePicks Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFL and use code LOCKEDONNFL and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.Gusto Try Gusto today at http://gusto.com/LOCKEDONNFL, and get three months free when you run your first payroll.KALSHI For a limited time,Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10.Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.FanDuel Get three hundred fifty dollars in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five dollars every day for seven days. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.