Three threats to the Chiefs AFC dominance in 2023

Read Time:2 Minute, 54 Second

With the Super Bowl now more than a week past, it’s time for wild speculation. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are one step closer to becoming the new Brady/Belichick, especially with Brady having hung up his helmet and with rumors at least beginning to percolate that his former coach might be looking at winding down his time as HC at Foxboro. There is a genuine possibility that a team as saturated with a winning mentality as Kansas may be the team to beat for close to the next decade – but the rest of the league doesn’t have the luxury of letting that happen.

There are still some weeks to go before real free agency discussions can begin to be had, and at this point, we don’t know who’s really up for grabs nor who is going to pursue them. But with an interesting postseason behind us, we know that the Eagles are going to be strong again next year and that bettors will head to casinononaams.casino with some faith that the 49ers will make a stronger run next season (they can’t lose four QBs in one season again, can they?). So in our search for teams that could chip away at the Chiefs’ position ad favorites, we’re going to look within their own conference at the three best challengers they’ll have for the 2023 AFC Conference championship.

Cincinnati Bengals

While the NFL draft exists to ensure that a team can’t be perennially bad, the Bengals spent decades doing their level best to disprove that idea. That’s why their improvement over the last two seasons is both impressive and heartwarming. Their offensive line still needs surgery, and if it doesn’t get it, then Joe Burrow will probably need it. As long as he stays upright, and the front office keeps making good decisions like bringing in La’el Collins, Burrow is a potential Super Bowl winning quarterback, and seems to get better and more confident with every game. There is the possibility of a perennial Chiefs-Bengals grappling for conference supremacy, and that would give us some memorable games to watch.

LA Chargers

The Chargers have a roster loaded with players who have at least a chance to be the best at their position, none more so than Justin Herbert, who can live right at the top end of the Mount Olympus that is the AFC’s quarterback contingent. Rashawn Slater is adding to his game every year as Herbert’s blindside protection, and the QB has some enviable targets to pass to. The addition of a tight end in the vein of Travis Kelce would make the offense even more powerful. Possibly Miami’s Mike Gesicki? On defense, too, they look set for a big future, not least with the pass-rushing mastery of Joey Bosa.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have been champions in waiting for a few years now, and the thing about waiting is eventually you either take your chance or you see it pass you by. It’s not time to panic yet if you’re a Buffalo fan – the talent is still there and young enough to take the additional steps they need to become a Super Bowl team – but they’ve watched the Bengals overtake them as the #1 challenger to the Chiefs, and they’re going to need something special in 2023 to avoid falling further behind.