The 2020 NFL season creeps closer as it finds an opening date on September 10, 2020. This year, the whole NFL edition will take 17-week matches, which will end on February 7, 2020, for the Super Bowl LV. The finals will be held at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida, with rumored halftime performances from Taylor Swift, Adele, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, or Jay Z.
With so much anticipation fans and enthusiasts have for the newest season of the NFL, all 32 teams will work out for their respective conference matchups. There will be 16 teams representing the National Football Conference (NFC), with the other 16 groups coming from the American Football League (AFC).
In line with the two conferences representing the NFL, AFC teams have been considered the strongest. They have the toughest teams every football fan should watch out for. That said, let’s get to know the top five expert picks for 2020 of the best teams who can make the AFC shine this year.
Kansas City Chiefs
After the huge rally and excellent performance this team had shown last year, the Kansas City Chiefs will surely be the most dangerous team in the 2020 NFL season. In the Super Bowl LIV, the Chiefs competed against the NFC winners, San Francisco 49ers, in the finals. They managed to dispatch the 49ers, finishing the match in 20-31, in favor of the Chiefs.
One of the reasons why the Chiefs are still the toughest team to beat is the receiving weapons they have. Patrick Mahomes will surely be the starting quarterback. He is joined by Demeracus Robinsons, Travis Kelce, Mecole Hardman, Tyreek Hill, and Sammy Watkins, who are all carrying an impressive pro-football record since they joined the team.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens almost got a happy ending in the last NFL season. However, the Tennessee Titans ended their journey. They were a huge favorite in the AFC side but failed to win during the Divisional Playoffs. This year, they are back in the spotlight with a stronger lineup that every team needs to watch.
With Lamar Jackson taking the starting quarterback, the team’s offensive power is boosted with the help of James Proche and Devin Duvernay. Not only that, but Justin Madubuike will also serve as their defensive lineman, who has been very versatile in his position. Moreover, the Ravens will feature a 5x Pro-Bowler, Calais Campbell, and a returning edge rusher, Matthew Judon, in the starting lineup.
Indianapolis Colts
During the NFL offseason, the Indianapolis Colts have shown impressive starts and won several games. They have a perfect lineup this year, which makes this team a dangerous group in the AFC South. The Colts are looking for another stint in the playoffs this year after they missed to appear in Super Bowl LIV.
The Colts are looking forward to T.Y. Hilton to stay as this season’s one of the toughest teams to beat. While Philip Rivers is the best compliment for Hilton, the Colts would like to see both of them in the game. Another weapon this team has is a talented running back, Jonathan Taylor, and a starting quarterback, Jacoby Brissett.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans may have failed to appear in the quarterfinals last year, but the pride they brought to the AFC was way beyond expectation. The Titans stunned the New England Patriots in the Wildcard playoffs, leaving a jaw-dropping game result. Everyone was cheering for the Pats, but the Titans were in the mood to dethrone them.
That said, the Titans will surely be a tough team representing the AFC South in the upcoming NFL season. Ryan Tannehill will still serve as the starting quarterback. Not only that, but the Titans will also do an upgrade for their defense as Jefferey Simmons and Kristian Fulton will join the starting lineup. Maintaining the same men on the field, the Titans can replicate the same play they showed last year.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots might have the most dramatic entrance to the 2020 NFL season without Tom Brady’s starting lineup. He left the team after being traded by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Although the Pats do not have the usual lineup they’ve had for the past years, they are still a tough team to beat.
Bill Belichick will serve as the head coach of the team. He will send in Jarrett Stidham as the starting quarterback, replacing Brady. Bill Belichick is one of the most famous NFL coaches known to put players in position wins. That said, Stidham will be accompanied by high performing players, such as Damien Harris (R.B.), Julien Edelman (W.R.), Shaq Mason (Offensive Linemen), and Adam Butler (Defensive Linemen).
Takeaway
Every team playing for the NFL this year will have a tough road to conquer, and it will even get tougher as they’ll face the strongest teams. With the five best AFC teams representing the said conference, will the Chiefs defend their title, or will the other four teams turn their fate and flip the coin the other way around? All we can do is wait and see.
