KC won't even be competitive unless their defense definitely does improve, because they're offensively neck and neck. NE's defense is Way better right now. I don't care if Mahomes can throw it with his foot, KC's overmatched right now.
I think if AB is in the fold instead of in court and can maintain they'll be close enough, offensively. But the defense isn't that different than last year for New England, though I look to move it up a bit with Bill being more directly involved. KC stumbled out of the gate in their playoff game last year largely, I think, because Mahomes was up to his neck in the best defensive looks he'd seen and caught by the moment of where he was...he settled down appreciably in the second half and the results were scary. The winner of that game came down to a coin flip, really.
You're getting second half Mahomes in the playoffs this year. I'm not sure anyone can stop them from representing the AFC. And I'm not sure what Tom is going to look like late in the season. But the acquisition of AB certainly has made it look more interesting.
On the NFC side, if they play to potential, I see this year as a Saints/Cowboys dust up with home field being the difference maker.
Quick looks at divisions:
AFC
East: :chuckle: Pats. No one likely to even whiff a WC else.
North: Baltimore looks strong early. Can the Steelers regroup? Could the Browns find their feet?
South: Houston, absent injury to Watson, which isn't a done deal given how often he's getting hit.
West: KC going away.
WC: Chargers...after that it's muddy.
NFC
East: Dallas/Philly...one of those two wins and the other is half the WC
North: GB
South: NO
West: Niners upset the Rams as Goff comes back to earth in huge SB letdown.
WC: Seattle and either the Cowboys or the Eagles, depending.