4 Sleeper AFC Contenders for the 2024 NFL Season

The NFL is not like most other sports leagues, as change is always the constant. It is much harder to repeat as champions or even get back to the Super Bowl in the NFL as it is in most other major sporting leagues.

There are of course several reasons for this, but basically, teams are frequently getting better or worse year by year. So, fans of the NFL are aware that teams that have finished last in their division in the previous year are capable of springing a surprise the following season.

Thus, this brings us to the four sleeper teams in the AFC for the upcoming 2024 campaign.

Indianapolis Colts

The first team that comes to mind as a sleeper in the AFC this year is the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts were supposed to get a quality season from their 2023 rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and then build from there. Unfortunately, Richardson’s injury early last year knocked that plan out the window.

But, if we take a look at their roster, Indianapolis still has a true WR1 in Michael Pittman Jr., who has nearly three 1,000-plus yards receiving seasons and is looking good to continue his production.

Moreover, the Colts will be getting back a fully healthy Jonathan Taylor, who missed the first seven games in 2023. In the remaining 10 games, he rushed for over 700 yards with seven touchdowns.

More importantly, the Colts were just one win away in the final game of the 2023 season from reaching the postseason, which means they have the roster to keep up with the other contenders from the AFC South.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are going through a rebuilding process. They have lost key players from their skill positions such as Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, and Mike Williams. Facing cap issues, the Chargers had to make these moves, but the good news is that they have managed to keep their stars on defense, such as Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

The biggest change, however comes, from the hiring of Jim Harbaugh, who not only is an excellent coach but also brings a winning culture. He has seen success in both the NFL and, more recently, college football with Michigan. With his addition, there are a lot of expectations for the Chargers, and even if they don’t win the AFC West this year, a Wild Card spot could be on the horizon.

Tennessee Titans

Many people believe that the Tennessee Titans are not good enough to challenge in the AFC South. However, the Titans approached this offseason with absolute aggression. They have brought in several new faces and are giving quarterback Will Levis a fighting chance to make the best of the situation.

Talking about the Titans’ offense, this is where the most relevant changes have been made. In support of DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee has signed Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in the offseason. The Titans are now looking like a solid receiving unit, as both Ridley and Boyd have the potential to make big plays should they be used properly.

The addition of former Cowboys running back Tony Pollard in the backfield is also an able one, even if he did replace the outgoing Derrick Henry.

And finally, moving over to the defense, Tennessee made a big acquisition by bringing in two-time Super Bowl champion L’Jarius Sneed from Kansas City. The Titans’ overall secondary should function well, and if the other members on defense provide able support, Tennessee could challenge for a spot in the postseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently find themselves in arguably the toughest division in the NFL, the AFC North. The division consists of last season’s No. 1 seed in the Baltimore Ravens, a recent Super Bowl representative in the Cincinnati Bengals and another tough squad in the Cleveland Browns.

However, last season, the Steelers went 10-7 and still made the playoffs as the third-place team from their division. This year, they have gotten better and have kept some of their important pieces of the roster to mount a real challenge in the AFC.

With Russell Wilson bringing experience and Justin Fields the athletic, dual-threat ability, the Steelers’ QB room has improved, at least on paper. They have a true WR1 in George Pickens who has been highly productive and should get better in his third season. Adding to that is a quality rushing attack in the form of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who both possess dual-threat ability with the ball.

And last but not least, the Steelers’ defense will be one to watch yet again. Head coach Mike Tomlin knows how to get the best out of his defensive players, and it all starts with their best edge rusher T.J. Watt. He will now be joined by another defensive phenomenon Patrick Queen, who had a brilliant season with the Ravens in 2023.

In a tough AFC North division, watch out for the Steelers to pounce as 2024 could be the year they turn things around.

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