The AFC Conference has provided the biggest surprises so far this season as the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Denver Broncos all top their division with an 8-2 record.
What’s more, Josh Allen’s Buffalo (6-3), Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City (5-4) and Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore (4-5) are all playing catch-up, so could any of those MVP-winning quarterbacks miss out on the post-season?
Schecter, a former assistant coach at the Buffalo Bills, said: “The defence needs some work, but when you have Josh Allen you’re going to be contenders.”
The Kansas City Chiefs have reached five of the past six Super Bowls, winning three, but are currently third in the AFC West behind Denver and the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Nonetheless, the Chiefs are contenders,” said Epstein. “The defence has been strong throughout, even when the offence was figuring it out, and we saw that in the years of Tom Brady at New England.
“They used the beginning of the season to figure out what they’re working on, and by the end of it, you should be afraid because they figured it out.”
The Chargers are 7-3 and Schecter expects the Chiefs to reel them in as their offensive line has “not been the same” since losing Joe Alt to injury.
The Baltimore Ravens slumped to a 1-5 start, from which only 1% of teams have previously gone on to reach the post-season, but they have won all three games since and quarterback Jackson is back from a minor injury, while AFC North leaders Pittsburgh have lost three of their past four.
“I think that Baltimore are contenders,” said Epstein. “The offence is settling, the defence is getting healthier and they’re about to play the Browns, the Jets and the Bengals before they see the Steelers.
“Pittsburgh’s offence started off doing alright, but you could not trust their defence,” added Epstein.
“Now their defence is getting back to the Steeler way, but Aaron Rodgers and his targets are not on the same page. I do not trust them to hold off the division, much less get into the play-offs.”
Schecter sees the Jacksonville Jaguars as pretenders in the AFC South but believes the Cincinnati Bengals could nick a wild-card spot in the AFC North. Quarterback Joe Burrow is set to return from injury but their defence has allowed more points than any other team.
“The Bengals could beat out the Steelers when healthy, so let’s go for it,” Schecter said. “I’m a Joe Burrow believer.”
