Ranking AFC Contenders Behind the Kansas City Chiefs
The terrain to get out of the NFC looks far more treacherous than last year, but the field of AFC contenders is getting weaker by the moment.
The Philadelphia Eagles are sitting in the top position in the NFC. If they can get to 14 wins, they should secure the two home game top seed scenario to advance to Vegas. Monday night’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs looks like a Super Bowl tune-up. The other AFC contenders are dropping like flies!
Let’s stack them in the likelihood of getting to Vegas.
Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)
They are the best team in the NFL until proven otherwise. They also now have a much easier potential path to Vegas. I think it is monumental that the Eagles send a message to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Do you want to see a team in Vegas that has that mental edge on you? I don’t.
Baltimore Ravens (8-3)
The Ravens look VERY legit, but the loss of star tight end and offensive glue guy Mark Andrews is a huge setback. Add in Lamar Jackson hobbling a bit with a twisted ankle, and it shows the Ravens are going to have to win with defense.
I think they can on the right day. If Lamar doesn’t show up big in the postseason again, I’m done hearing about him being an elite quarterback. It’s the AFC Championship Game or bust for this crew. They could be a dangerous Super Bowl matchup if they make it.
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3)
Doug Pederson is a master of creativity, but his team is way too inconsistent. Their offense sputters when the line tries to protect Trevor Lawrence against a great defensive front. Oh yeah, the Eagles have one. Doug won’t beat his old club anytime soon in a Super Bowl.
Miami Dolphins (6-3)
Unfortunately for the Dolphins, they beat up on losing teams and can’t beat good teams. They love running up the score pretending to be legitimate. The Miami frauds don’t have what it takes to win a championship.
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
The Steelers have a nice win total, but they are a negative 26 points in point differential. That is not sustainable. They also don’t have an offense that could trade scores with the Eagles. Here we go nowhere Steelers!
Cleveland Browns (6-3)
The Browns lost their quarterback Deshaun Watson for the season due to a shoulder injury last week. Jim Schwartz has done a fantastic job with their defense, but the offense looks like a pop gun. They have no chance to win three road games in the postseason.
Houston Texans (5-4)
C.J. Stroud looks like the real deal in Houston. Are they ready to beat the Eagles on a big stage in Vegas? No way. I don’t believe they would have a chance to win more than a wild card game if they made it in. Three road wins? Nope.
The NFC is ours for the taking.
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) November 15, 2023
“If they win on Monday night, it would be really surprising if they didn’t close it out with the number one seed in the NFC. I think they’d have a strangle hold on the NFC.”
- @AdamSchefter via @975JKShow
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Watch The John Kincade Show on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2023 Week 11 Starters
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Julio Jones
Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Jack Stoll
Tight End, #89
University of Nebraska
3rd NFL Season, Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2021)Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Left Tackle, #65
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Fletcher Cox
Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Milton Williams
Defensive Tackle, #93
Louisiana Tech
3rd NFL Season, Drafted in 3rd Round (73rd Overall) in 2021Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Zach Cunningham
Linebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)Nicholas Morrow
Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)Darius Slay
Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Kevin Byard
Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
