AFC vs. NFC Power Rankings: Which Conference Has the Edge in the Playoff Hunt?

The 2025 NFL season is heating up, and with Week 4 approaching, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. While it’s still early, some teams are emerging as clear contenders, while others are facing uphill battles. The question on everyone’s mind: Which conference, the AFC or NFC, holds the edge in the race to Super Bowl LX? Let’s dive into a data-driven analysis of the power rankings, examining key teams, their strengths, and their potential paths to the playoffs.

AFC: A Conference of Contenders

The AFC appears to be stacked with talent this year, boasting several teams with legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.

Buffalo Bills (3-0): The Bills, led by reigning league MVP Josh Allen, are the team to beat in the AFC. With an easier schedule and Allen at the helm, Buffalo is poised to secure the AFC’s top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Bills have made the playoffs six seasons in a row and are still the class of the AFC East, the division they’ve owned since 2020.
Los Angeles Chargers (3-0): The Chargers, under the guidance of coach Jim Harbaugh, are off to a blazing start, with three straight wins in the AFC West. Quarterback Justin Herbert is playing at an MVP level, and the Chargers are finally living up to their potential. L.A. is the first team ever to beat three divisional opponents in the first three weeks of the season, which gives them a big leg up to finally dethrone Kansas City in the AFC West.
Indianapolis Colts (3-0): The Colts, led by Daniel Jones, are the biggest surprise in the AFC. Jones is the only quarterback in the last 75 years to start the year 3-0 with a 70 percent completion rate, 850+ total yards, six total touchdowns, and no turnovers.
Baltimore Ravens (1-2): Despite a slow start, the Ravens remain a force to be reckoned with. With Lamar Jackson at quarterback and a revamped defense, Baltimore is poised to make a deep playoff run. This feels like a very, very good year for this Baltimore team because they’ve kind of hit that stage where.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-1): The Bengals, led by quarterback Jake Browning, are looking to rebound after a crushing defeat to the Minnesota Vikings. The Bengals have a tough road ahead, but they have the talent to make a playoff push.

AFC Playoff Dark Horses

Denver Broncos (1-2): Led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix and head coach Sean Payton, the Broncos are a team on the rise. The Broncos returned to the playoffs by implementing a balanced offensive game plan and an opportunistic defense.
Houston Texans (2-1): With CJ Stroud at quarterback and a talented supporting cast, the Texans are poised to make another playoff appearance. The Houston Texans appear to be a lock for the playoffs again in 2025, and they will be able to win another AFC South championship.

NFC: A Wide-Open Race

The NFC appears to be more wide-open than the AFC, with several teams vying for playoff spots.

San Francisco 49ers (3-0): The 49ers, despite dealing with a ton of injuries, are atop the NFC West and currently in first in the NFC. Expect the 49ers to be right in the thick of the playoff race with Christian McCaffrey back in full health.
Philadelphia Eagles (3-0): The Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, are looking to repeat as Super Bowl champions. With a stacked offense and defense, the Eagles can dominate again.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0): One of the more fun teams in the NFL, the Buccaneers were able to fend off the New York Jets in Week 3 to keep their record perfect. Baker Mayfield has been one of the league’s best passers since arriving in Tampa Bay.
Green Bay Packers (2-1): A shocking loss in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns has the Packers 2-1 and clinging to a small lead in the NFC North. You do get the sense that the division is going to come down to the Lions or Packers in 2025.
Detroit Lions (2-1): A win on Monday Night Football over the Baltimore Ravens has to give this team a ton of confidence. The Lions have now won two games in a row and are absolutely trending in the right direction.
Minnesota Vikings (2-1): Getting to 2-1 with a huge win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Minnesota Vikings improved to 2-1 and got a very solid debut from Carson Wentz, who is likely remaining their QB for a few more weeks.
Washington Commanders (2-1): Winning without Jayden Daniels in Week 3, the Washington Commanders are in a good spot but might not have the sheer roster talent to hang around with the best teams in the NFL when the playoffs roll around.

NFC Playoff Dark Horses

Los Angeles Rams (2-1): After falling to them in the divisional round last season, the Rams look to get revenge on the Eagles. They even added superstar wide receiver Davante Adams during the offseason to boost their offense.
Arizona Cardinals (2-1): Kyler Murray’s a year past the knee injury. Now I just feel like this team is on the rise. And every year you and I both know it there’s always a surprise team out there.

Conference Edge: AFC

While both conferences boast talented teams, the AFC appears to have a slight edge in the playoff hunt. The AFC’s top teams, such as the Bills, Chargers, and Ravens, have proven quarterbacks and strong defenses, making them formidable opponents. The NFC, while competitive, has more question marks surrounding its top teams. The 49ers are dealing with injuries, the Eagles need to prove they can repeat their Super Bowl success, and the Packers and Lions are still developing.

Ultimately, the playoff picture will come down to injuries, quarterback play, and schedule quirks. However, as of Week 4, the AFC appears to be the stronger conference, with a deeper pool of Super Bowl contenders.