Facebook Pixel
    Try "researchers"
    Early AFC win-loss projections post 2020 NFL schedule
    Sep 22, 2019; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) motions on the line during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
    NFL
    NFL

    Early AFC win-loss projections post 2020 NFL schedule

    With the 2020 NFL schedule official, PFN's Lead NFL writer Cole Thompson breaks down his early projections for next season's AFC standouts.

    By Cole Thompson

    AFC South 

    Indianapolis Colts: 10-6

    With Philip Rivers entering the chat, the Colts should be back to entering postseason talks. Throw in the additions of Michael Pittman Jr., Jonathan Taylor, and DeForest Buckner, what’s not to love about the new and improved Indy?

    Both Green Bay and Baltimore will travel to Lucas Oil Stadium, as will the Vikings and Philadelphia. Their road trips to Buffalo and Las Vegas, however, could prove that while the signal-caller has changed, the product is still the problem post-Andrew Luck life.

    Overall, this is the most talented roster in the division. Let’s see if they live up to the hype and win enough to get by.

    Tennessee Titans: 9-7

    Let’s not forget what happened last postseason. Ryan Tannehill racked up enough wins to push the Titans into the postseason while Derrick Henry hurled the team to the AFC Championship over New England and Baltimore.

    That type of success is going to travel over to the regular season a year later. Home games against Chicago and Detroit should play in their favor, but a road trip late to Green Bay in the winter will blow. They’ll also have to face Minnesota in Minnesota and return to Baltimore for a rematch against the Ravens. 

    If Tannehill is competent and the team can keep a strong run game, expect the Titans to play for postseason potential. If not, it doesn’t bode well for them, at least they had the best schedule announcement.

    Houston Texans: 6-10

    Who knew Elmo was a Texans fan? Thanks for all the pretty drawings from our favorite three-year-old.

    Outside of a terrible concept, the Texans are in for a tough task this year. A three-game road trip kicks off with Kansas City on opening night, then trips to Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Things won’t get easier once Minnesota and Green Bay come to town.

    Houston has Deshaun Watson, making them slightly better than their scheduled announcement. That said, they’ll face an improved Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Cincinnati roster. They also have to play against the Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago. Six wins are generous without Hop in the lineup.

    Jacksonville Jaguars: 5-11

    Jacksonville would have a cakewalk schedule if they were a good team. Plus, my disdain for cats really put a sour taste in my mouth watching this video. Maybe almost as bad as the movie “Cats” did.

    Jacksonville traded away nearly every quality defensive piece from the 2017 AFC Championship roster. Throw Nick Foles away to Chicago, and the team is in rebuild mode pronto. Still, if the early success of CJ Henderson, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Laviska Shenault Jr. could help, maybe the team could be better than advertised. After all, the division is wide open, and any team could become the next big name.

    Minshew Magic 2.0 in Duval County for 2020 again — and by that, it means above four wins.

    AFC West 

    Kansas City Chiefs: 11-5 

    They still have Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback, right? Yep, postseason bound.

    The Chiefs won’t have the easiest of schedules, but if the team can pick up early wins, they’ll be set for January football. After opening the year against 2019 MVP candidate Deshaun Watson, the 2018 MVP will meet the reigning winner in Week 3 in Baltimore. After that, the team will need to travel and garner wins over Buffalo, New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

    They’ll likely lose at least two games, and if one team competes for the AFC West title, expect Denver to give them a loss as well. Outside of that, Kansas City should be set at home against Carolina, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. They’ll still be in the postseason push come late.

    Denver Broncos: 9-7

    Whatever happened to predictably, the milkman, the paperboy, and the Broncos underachieving? Look no further Denver fans, this could be your season.

    Denver’s quality offseason was the note tuning for Drew Lock. The second-year quarterback, who finished 4-1 as a starter, will have the chance to prove he’s the long-term prospect for the team early against the AFC East. Once it becomes cold, New Orleans and Tennessee best bundle up for that Mile High weather.

    Denver will only face six teams who made the postseason last year. That should be enough to keep them in contention to be the surprising shocker from the AFC when the playoffs roll around.

    Los Angeles Chargers: 7-9

    Two years ago, it looked like the Chargers were going to be a viable threat in the AFC. Good times, good times. With the Bolts starting fresh with Justin Herbert, this is going to be a productive defensive team, and that’s about it.

    Credit to the Chargers organization for their promo — hands down the most beautiful one out there. That said, beauty won’t translate to the muddy field of football. Even though they’ll only take on four playoff teams and face franchises with a sub .500 record from last season, but a lot will be expected from either Herbert or Tyrod Taylor.

    You win in the NFL thanks to offensive play. Right now, Taylor or Hebert is likely going to struggle for a season. So with that, early NFL AFC projections in 2020 for the Chargers is seven wins would be a lovely year for the rebuilding roster.

    Once again, though, bravo Los Angeles for the video.

    Las Vegas Raiders: 7-9

    It’s a tough division internally, but the Raiders are going to be going through the most this season. Not only will the team need to rebuild a fan base in a new city, but they’ll also need to continue to rebuild their unit under John Gruden for the future.

    Las Vegas will take on the likes of Kansas City, Buffalo New Orleans, and Tampa Bay all at home. They’ll also have to travel to New York and Denver late into the season. While road trips to Miami and Atlanta could help them find victories, it’s going to be a long season in Sin City.

    Maybe instead of passing the ball through a screen, they should move it downfield. If so, perhaps they leave the cellar of the AFC West.

    AFC PLAYOFF PROJECTIONS: Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers

    Cole Thompson is the Lead NFL writer for Pro Football Network. Follow him on Twitter at @MrColeThompson and @PFN365 for all up to date NFL content.

    Related Articles

    Copyright © 2019-2025. PFSN.

    All Rights Reserved.