Have you noticed that the New England Patriots seemed to secure the top seed in the AFC almost every year? That dominance lasted up until 2018. Since then, the Kansas City Chiefs have taken the lead, securing the No. 1 seed four times and winning three AFC championships in that period.
So, who will top the AFC rankings this season? Will the Chiefs keep their streak alive, or will the Bills or Ravens rise to the challenge? As of August 11th, DraftKings Sportsbook has released the odds for the AFC’s No. 1 seed:
– Bills: +190 (bet $10 to win $29)
– Ravens: +260 (bet $10 to win $36)
– Chiefs: +475 (bet $10 to win $57.50)
– Broncos: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120)
– Chargers: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130)
– Bengals: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150)
– Patriots: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210)
– Steelers: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260)
– Texans: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260)
– Jaguars: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460)
– Dolphins: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510)
– Colts: +8000 (bet $10 to win $810)
– Titans: +10,000 (bet $10 to win $1,010)
– Raiders: +10,000 (bet $10 to win $1,010)
– Jets: +16,000 (bet $10 to win $1,610)
– Browns: +30,000 (bet $10 to win $3,010)
Last season, the Chiefs finished with a stellar 15-2 record, their best in NFL history. However, for 2025, oddsmakers are shifting their attention toward Buffalo and Baltimore as frontrunners for the AFC’s top seed. Buffalo ended last season narrowly defeating Kansas City 32-29 in the AFC Championship, while Baltimore finished 12-5, ranking third in the AFC. The Bills have dominated the AFC East for five years with consistent playoff appearances since 2017, although the last time they clinched the No. 1 seed was in 1993. In the previous playoffs, Buffalo also edged out Baltimore 29-27 in the divisional round.
Looking back over the past 25 years, the AFC No. 1 seed has reached 13 Super Bowls but only won five. Between 2003 and 2017, the Patriots held the top seed seven times. Since 2017, the Chiefs have commanded the No. 1 seed four times, making three Super Bowl appearances and winning once in 2022. Baltimore earned the top seed in 2019 and 2023 but fell short in the AFC Championship Games both years.
Fan Take: This shifting AFC landscape highlights how the league’s power dynamics are evolving, keeping fans excited about fresh rivalries and competitive playoff races. For NFL enthusiasts, these developments add intrigue to the season, emphasizing the unpredictable nature and competitive depth of the sport.
