Chiefs earn top marks as AFC team grades spotlight early-season extremes

A fresh round of AFC team grades after four games of the 2026 season places the Kansas City Chiefs among four clubs earning marks in the A range, while three teams come away with failing grades. The overview emphasizes how deceptive the first month of an NFL season can be, pointing to recent years where slow starters wound up in the playoffs and fast-opening contenders eventually faded.

Patriots uneven, Bills’ defense under scrutiny

The defending conference-champion New England Patriots receive a mixed review. Their Week 4 win over the Buffalo Bills boosts an otherwise lukewarm start, but the opener is flagged as a missed chance. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions in a loss to the Drew Lock–led Seattle Seahawks, a game in which wideout A.J. Brown suffered a high ankle sprain. Maye already leads the league in turnovers, shrinking New England’s margin for error, though the defense, particularly against the pass, is praised for holding up.

Buffalo’s grade reflects both a blistering start and familiar flaws. The Bills put up 77 points in back-to-back wins over the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions, but turnover issues resurfaced with five in a narrow Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and two more in the loss to New England. On top of that, defensive metrics place them near the bottom of the league, raising questions about whether this version of the Bills can realistically push for a Super Bowl run.

Jets and Dolphins mired in struggles, Browns on the rise

The New York Jets are described as bad but not disastrous, a step up from last year’s floor. They beat the Tennessee Titans and then dropped tight games to the Green Bay Packers and Lions, before collapsing offensively against the Chicago Bears. In that outing, Chicago recorded more first downs than the Jets ran offensive plays, and New York failed to convert a single third down. Even so, the development of young pieces such as receiver Garrett Wilson and running back David Bailey, combined with three first-round picks in the 2027 draft, offers a long-term silver lining.

The outlook is bleaker for the Miami Dolphins, who are 0-4 and have yet to hold a lead at any point this season. The loss of De’Von Achane to a torn ACL after signing him to a long-term deal is described as a major blow, especially for a roster already light on proven veterans. Quarterback Malik Willis has had some flashes, and the team is getting contributions from a large rookie class, but the lack of wins weighs heavily on their grade.

Cleveland, by contrast, earns glowing marks after three straight victories pushed the Browns into the AFC North lead. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is credited with solid play and three consecutive game-winning drives, a notable turnaround given his past struggles and serious injuries. Rookie receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, offensive linemen Spencer Fano and Austin Barber, and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are singled out, as is second-year defender Mason Graham before his injury. General manager Andrew Berry and head coach Todd Monken are portrayed as having this roster on a promising track.

Ravens, Steelers, Bengals and Jaguars graded closely

The Baltimore Ravens’ mark would be even higher if not for Lamar Jackson’s ankle injury against the Titans, which clouds his Week 5 status. Before that, Jackson was off to what is described as a spectacular start, near the top of the league in several efficiency measures. Coordinator Declan Doyle is credited with unlocking Zay Flowers in an explosive offense, while new defensive boss Jesse Minter oversees a unit that ranks well in success rate but needs more sacks.

The Pittsburgh Steelers once again project as a near-.500 team with a low-ceiling offense and a playmaking but big-play-prone defense. Aaron Rodgers’ attack ranks near the bottom of the league in efficiency, improving recently only through more explosive plays, while injuries on defense have added stress. The Cincinnati Bengals are also graded harshly after finding themselves in the AFC North cellar despite off-season investments to support Joe Burrow. Injuries to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins drag down expectations, the run game has faltered, and a shift toward more under-center snaps is described as unsuccessful so far.

Among the brightest spots are the Jacksonville Jaguars, who boast the AFC’s best point differential and a top-10 offense in both efficiency and explosive play rate. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is framed as a legitimate MVP candidate, ranking high in touchdown rate and accuracy, while running back Bhayshul Tuten has taken a notable step forward in Year 2. The defense remains stout against the run, generates turnovers at a league-leading rate and excels in the red zone, even as pass defense remains a concern. The grading of the rest of the AFC, including the Indianapolis Colts and others, rounds out a picture of a conference already showing sharp contrasts just one month into the season.