​The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos, while the Buffalo Bills ousted the Houston Texans 36-31. Elsewhere, the Baltimore Ravens dropped 41 on the Indianapolis Colts, while the Cincinnati Bengals won in Week 1 of the 2026 season. After a year during which the Chiefs missed the playoffs and the Bengals struggled, the AFC’s four top quarterbacks all began with wins on the same weekend.ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter has observed those results and links them to the potential leaders in the conference’s race this season. For Schefter, the AFC will need to contend with at least four names of top four quarterbacks who all look set to blaze the trail again this season.The Four AFC Quarterbacks on Adam Schefter’s ListJul 29, 2026; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker (9) talks to media after training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn ImagesSchefter made the comments while analyzing the league’s Week 1 matches. He identified Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow as top quarterbacks to watch out for. Even more, Schefter noted that their early performance makes the AFC look exactly like it did in its best years, with the same names leading by the same margin ahead of everyone else.“It feels like it’s ‘Back To The Future.” … Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen are going to have a big say in the AFC playoff race this season.”“It feels like it’s “Back To The Future.” … Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen are going to have a big say in the AFC playoff race this season.” @AdamSchefter weighs in on who could be in the AFC playoff race pic.twitter.com/dAnUlpYDNs— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 17, 2026 ​Schefter highlighted Allen’s win in Houston as something worth noting. The Bills quarterback had lost four straight games, including a prime-time loss last season, before throwing a go-ahead touchdown to Josh Palmer late in a 36-31 victory over a highly rated NFL defense.​The analyst also didn’t forget to mention Kenneth Walker’s remarkable showing in recent history, especially in their recent game against the Broncos. Walker rushed for 173 yards and registered two touchdowns against the Broncos in Mahomes’ return from injury. His outstanding performance gave the Chiefs a legitimate ground threat alongside their quarterback for the first time in years. Schefter feels the history is worth revisiting.Allen’s win over Houston ended a major road problem, with the Bills’ 36-31 triumph giving their quarterback an important response against a strong defense. Mahomes also gained a new run-game asset in Walker. Walker’s addition means Mahomes now boasts more weapons around him than he did a season ago. Now with a bolstered roster, the Chiefs are set to advance after finishing 6-11 in 2026 and missing the playoffs entirely.​Schefter also notes that Burrow and the Bengals ar