3 AFC teams capable of dethroning the Chiefs in 2023

Since becoming a starter for Kansas City Chiefs in 2018, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has set the league on fire. He has led them to at least the AFC Championship game every single year. The road to the Super Bowl has gone through Arrowhead Stadium in each of the last five seasons, and will likely be the case going forward.

When the Chiefs traded up to draft Mahomes in 2017, no one could imagine he would put an end to the New England Patriots era and begin a new era of dominance. It was unlike anything we have ever seen from a quarterback starting in the NFL for the first time. Mahomes sat behind veteran Alex Smith in his rookie season, but as soon as he took the starting spot and made it his own, it was over for the league.

Mahomes started the 2018 season in unprecedented fashion, in the first three games, he threw for 896 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was in the perfect situation; with offensive guru Andy Reid calling the plays and a plethora of incredible weapons, Mahomes was primed for greatness. It was clear that the Kansas City Chiefs were going to be a force for at least the next decade.

Although the AFC is littered with elite young quarterbacks and their explosive offensive weapons, Kansas City is without a doubt the team to beat in the conference. However, over the last few years, there have been some teams that have taken strides to compete and beat the Chiefs.

​

Here are the teams that could dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs and win the AFC:

​