Midseason Check-In Via Team Anthem – AFC

Buffalo Bills – “Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant

“We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue

And then we’ll take it higher”

Just when you think the Bills have missed a step or two, they show you that you’re sadly mistaken. They are sitting pretty heading into week 10 at 6-2 and have been known to get quite electric second half of the year.

Cincinnati Bengals – “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

“Every step I’m taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I, I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high”

It’s been a rough road for the Bengals, who, once again, lost their star QB Joe Burrow to injury for the long haul. Picking up 40-year-old Joe Flacco has had its highs and lows. It is do-or-die time in Cincy (and Zac Taylor…) as they sit amongst a tough AFC field.

Cleveland Browns – “We Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings” by The Smile

“It’s a terrible shame
It’s a terrible shame, I know
It’s a brutal game
Gonna have to let you go
I’m stuck in a rut
And I can’t find my way out”

For several seasons, I don’t think anyone is quite sure what the Browns are doing-specifically at quarterback. You have a generational talent on defense in Myles Garrett, and not many more bright spots. As many utter weekly, “The Browns gonna Brown.”

Denver Broncos – “Hot and Cold” by Katy Perry

“‘Cause you’re hot, then you’re cold

You’re yes, then you’re no

You’re in, then you’re out

You’re up, then you’re down

You’re wrong when it’s right

It’s black, and it’s white”

The Broncos sure like to put on a show each week. They have engineered 3 fourth-quarter comeback wins this season so far. The defense continues to shine, and Bo Nix turns it up when the pressure is on. Hopefully for Denver fans, there is a little less anxiety in quarters 1-3 moving forward!

Houston Texans – “I Want You Back” by *NSYNC

“You’re all I ever wanted

You’re all I ever needed, yeah

So tell me what to do now

‘Cause I, I, I, I, I, I want you back”

All this team wants is to go back to C.J. Stroud‘s inaugural season and recreate that magic. It’s been a rocky sophomore and junior season for the quarterback. Houston’s wheels continue to fall off with no signs of tangible improvement. They sit two games below .500 at the halfway mark.

Indianapolis Colts – “I Can See Clearly Now” by Jimmy Cliff

“I can see clearly now the rain is gone

I can see all obstacles in my way

Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It’s gonna be a bright, bright sun shiny day”

If anyone is having a damn year, it is the Indianapolis Colts! The Daniel Jones fit, the ascending defense, the Jonathan Taylor resurgence. It is all clicking in Indy. No more rain clouds for now as they sit atop the AFC.

Jacksonville Jaguars – “Praise You” by Fatboy Slim

“We’ve come a long, long way together

Through the hard times and the good

I have to celebrate you, baby

I have to praise you like I should”

This team has finally found some magic between the Liam Coen hire, some draft pick, free agent moves, and now the Jakobi Myers acquisition from Las Vegas. They sit pretty at 5-3, but can’t afford to take their foot off the gas now as they try and get on Indy’s heels.

Kansas City Chiefs – “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar

“We gon’ be alright

Do you hear me, do you feel me? We gon’ be alright.”

Enough said. The Chiefs ALWAYS find a way to insert themselves far into the playoffs despite rocky regular seasons. See: Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.

Las Vegas Raiders – “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” by Boyz II Men

“How do I say goodbye to what we had?

The good times that made us laugh

Outweigh the bad”

It feels like it’s been a decade since we watched a dominant Raiders team. Well, that’s because aside from a 2021 Wild Card loss, it has been close to that! There have been issues finding the right fit at coach and quarterback. Not to mention, the drafting has been questionable.

Miami Dolphins – “Where the Party At” by Jagged Edge

“Ayy, where the party at?

Girls is on the way, where the Bacardi at?”

At this rate, this Dolphins team may as well just go and enjoy the Miami nightlife. They are headed for a rough season and a head coach search in early 2026.

New England Patriots – “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish

“Birds of a feather, we should stick together, I know”

Coach Vrabs. Drake Maye. It’s all gelling. They sure seem like birds of a feather who are flocking together. They are leading the AFC East with a reasonable remaining schedule minus intra-division foe, Buffalo.

New York Jets – “Numb” by Linkin Park

“And every second I waste is more than I can take I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there

Become so tired, so much more aware”

Pittsburgh Steelers – “Lose Yourself” by Eminem

“Look, if you had one shot

One opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment 

Would you capture it or just let it slip?”

I somehow envision Mike Tomlin singing this to Rodgers before every single snap. It’s been made fairly certain this is the quarterback’s last dance. It should be an entertaining couple of months for this Steelers squad-that much I know.

LA Chargers – “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco 

“Alright, already, the show goes on

All night, till the morning we dream so long”

Hats off to this Jim Harbaugh-led unit. Despite blow after blow to critical starters, they’ve forged ahead to a 6-3 start.

Tennessee Titans – “Tubthumping” by Chumbawumba

“We’ll be singing when we’re winning

We’ll be singing..

I get knocked down

But I get up again”

First overall pick Cam Ward has been sacked a league-leading 38 times thus far. He is for sure ready to be singing and winning. Maybe next year.