The NFL is back! Every Monday, Thursday, and Sunday until February will be filled with wings, tailgates, and football. Here’s where every AFC team stands heading into Week 4, from unbeaten teams to struggling favorites, and what each needs to improve.
The biggest surprise in the AFC North is Cleveland, which sits atop the division at 3-1 after edging Carolina 21-18 and then beating Pittsburgh 27-24 on Thursday night. Even after trading Myles Garrett, the Browns are building an identity under first-year coach Todd Monken, with young talents like Quinshon Judkins and Jared Verse leading the way. The Ravens are 2-1 after outlasting Dallas 34-31, and Derrick Henry continues to shine, though pass blocking remains a concern. The Bengals fell to 2-1 with a 30-27 loss to Pittsburgh, and a defense boosted by Dexter Lawrence can only do so much while the offensive line, especially at left tackle, struggles. The Steelers are 2-2 in Aaron Rodgers’ final season; T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward anchor a strong defensive front, but the offensive line must improve.
In the AFC East, Josh Allen and the Bills are rolling at 3-0 after a 24-16 win over the Chargers, putting up 101 points through three games, though the run defense still needs work for a Super Bowl push. Our New England Patriots have hit a rough patch at 1-2 after a 35-6 loss in Jacksonville. Christian Gonzalez and rookie Gabe Jacas lead a promising defense, but Drake Maye needs to find his rhythm without Mike Onwenu, Stefon Diggs, and A.J. Brown, and Sunday’s trip to Buffalo is a major test. The Jets fell to 1-2 with a 31-24 loss to Detroit despite an improved offense under Geno Smith, while the winless Dolphins dropped to 0-3 after a 24-10 loss to Kansas City.
Jacksonville leads the AFC South at 2-1 after dismantling the Patriots, a sign the offense may be finding the consistency it lacked. The Colts earned their first win, 19-17 over Houston, but a defense that has allowed 91 points in three games still needs fixing. The Texans’ 0-3 start is one of the league’s biggest shocks, with an inconsistent offense and a defense far from last year’s powerhouse form. The Titans are also 0-3 after a 12-7 loss to the Giants; rookie Anthony Hill has been a bright spot on defense, but the offense must improve.
In the AFC West, Kansas City and Las Vegas are both 3-0 and meet Sunday afternoon. Patrick Mahomes looks like himself again after last year’s ACL and LCL injuries, and the Chiefs’ defense rebounded by holding Miami to 10 points. The Raiders beat New Orleans 35-27 behind veteran Kirk Cousins, and this matchup is their chance to prove they’re for real. Denver improved to 2-1 with a 30-26 win over the Rams, but the offense must keep pace with its rivals. The Chargers fell to 0-3 in Buffalo and need answers fast before the season slips away.
