What a week in the AFC. Several of the top teams lost their week 14 matchups, including the Chiefs, Dolphins, Jaguars, Texans, Colts, and Steelers. Last week's number one remained in the top spot after getting an overtime win against the Los Angeles Rams but the teams below them were significantly reshuffled.
With the Bills picking up a much-needed win, they slide up the rankings this week and the Cleveland Browns make a big jump up as well. A lot of AFC teams are struggling with keeping their quarterbacks healthy too, with Los Angeles Chargers becoming the latest victim with Justin Herbert being declared out for the season. That's now seven of the AFC teams playing with their backup quarterback.
The team coming out of the AFC to represent in the Super Bowl might be the only team remaining with their starting quarterback at this rate, knock on wood. The Dolphins didn't lose their quarterback, but they did lose their starting center and Tyreek Hill suffered a high ankle sprain and it's not yet known if he'll be a go in the coming weeks.
With only four weeks remaining in the regular season, everything is still up in the air, as no team has really established itself as the team to beat; however, you could make an argument for the Ravens being that team. We have some big matchups this week though with the Dolphins hosting the Jets, the Titans hosting the Texans and of course, the Bills playing host to the Cowboys. We also have the Steelers and Colts facing off and the loser likely falling out of the top seven of the playoff standings. Alright, enough of my rambling, let's get into the AFC power rankings.
16. New England Patriots (3 - 10)
The Patriots somehow managed to defeat the Steelers on Thursday night and Bailey Zappe played a solid game, tossing three touchdowns, two of them to Hunter Henry. I strongly considered moving the Patriots out of last in the rankings, but they need to win more than just three games to get out of the cellar.
15. Las Vegas Raiders (5 - 8)
This was the team I considered swapping the Patriots with. Anytime you lose a game 3 - 0, it puts you squarely in the last-place crosshairs. But still, they have five wins and that's two more than the Patriots. So, for now, the Raiders will sit here in 15th, and we'll see how they do Thursday night against the Chargers.
14. Los Angeles Chargers (5 - 8)
I will continue to repeat this every week until it changes, Brandon Staley should not have a job as a head coach. Now, the Chargers will have to finish out the season with Justin Herbert on the sidelines due to a season-ending injury. I guess, the good news for Chargers fans is without Herbert and Staley leading the way, it's unlikely the Chargers win any more games, which means locking in a great draft position in next year's draft.
13. New York (5 - 8)
After five consecutive losses and flip-flopping between Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle, the Jets elected to go back to Wilson. Somehow, Wilson played very well, leading the Jets to 30 points and a win over the playoff-hopeful Texans. Wilson threw for over 300 yards and tossed a couple of touchdowns. They will be facing the Dolphins this weekend.
12. Tennessee Titans (5 - 8)
I'm the furthest thing from being a fan of the Titans but I have to say, Will Levis is fun to watch and the Titans might have their future franchise quarterback. Watching him lead the Titans to two touchdowns in less than three minutes to get the upset win over the Dolphins was fun to see. The Titans' defense can get after the quarterback too and they are good enough that they may spoil a few team's playoff hopes down the stretch.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (7 - 6)
The Steelers are sitting in the sixth spot right now for the playoffs but I would be shocked to see this team in the playoffs at the end of the regular season. They just aren't a very good team, whether it's Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett. Their defense can make plays, but they allowed Bailey Zappe to throw three touchdowns on them too.
10. Indianapolis Colts (7 - 6)
Here is another team that currently occupies a playoff spot with the seventh seed but I'm not sure what to think of this team. Sometimes they look good but other times, not so much. I guess their records say just that too. At the end of the day, I'm not sure they have what it takes to hold onto that last wildcard, but they could still pull it off.
9. Houston Texans (7 - 6)
The Texans were dominated by the Jets, 30 - 6. It wasn't close and they let Zach Wilson look like a Pro Bowl quarterback. To make matters worse, they lost both C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins to injuries during the game. Stroud is currently in concussion protocol and Collins suffered a calf injury. It's unclear if either will be able to play in week 15 but if not, this team's playoff hopes are in major jeopardy.
8. Buffalo Bills (7- 6)
An overtime loss to the Eagles, followed by a big win against the Chiefs, and the Bills have been steadily moving back up the AFC rankings. In what seemed nearly impossible a couple of weeks ago, the Bills are suddenly finding themselves in a pretty good spot in the playoff race. Despite sitting in the 11th seed, they have over a 40% chance of making the playoffs according to playoff generators. They have another big game this weekend against the Dallas Cowboys.
7. Denver Broncos (7 - 6)
The Denver Broncos just keep on winning. After giving up 70 points to the Dolphins in week three, the Broncos were left for dead by just about everyone around the league. But here we are, talking about the Broncos making a playoff push and more surprisingly, only a game behind the Chiefs for the AFC West lead.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (7 - 6)
After losing Joe Burrow for the season, the Bengals are another team that many thought would fall to the side and not be a factor. Insert backup quarterback Jake Browning and suddenly the Bengals are rolling still and looking like they might be a threat after all in the AFC. They close out the season against the Vikings, Steelers, Chiefs, and Browns. That's not a cakewalk of a remaining schedule.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (8 - 5)
If not for losses by both the Texans and Colts, the Jaguars would be in bigger trouble than they are but they still hold the top spot in the AFC South. Sitting at 8 - 5, everything is still in front of them, from the division title to the number one seed. They'll have to play better than they have as of late though.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8 - 5)
This is a little bit of a shock seeing the Chiefs struggle. They have now lost four of their last six, including Mahomes' first time losing back-to-back games. It was also his third loss to the Bills in the regular season, the only team to accomplish that against Mahomes. This team will likely make the playoffs regardless, so I certainly wouldn't count them out. They can get to the tournament and turn things on and make a run still.
3. Miami Dolphins (9 - 4)
For all the talk about the Dolphins not being able to beat teams with winning records, now they can't beat teams with losing records. With their starting center out for the season and Hill with a high-ankle sprain, are the Dolphins in trouble? They close out the year against the Jets, Ravens, Cowboys and Bills. That week 18 matchup with the Bills could be for the division title and playoff berth.
2. Cleveland Browns (8 - 5)
I definitely did not expect to see the Browns ranked this high but after losses by the Dolphins, Chiefs, and Jaguars, Cleveland rocketed up the rankings. Can they hold the number two spot? With Joe Flacco leading the way, I'm just waiting for him to falter. He did not look good for the Colts a season ago, so I'm not sure he can continue to play at this level. They take on the Bears who have won back-to-back games against the Vikings and Lions.
1. Baltimore Ravens (10 - 3)
The Ravens might be playing the best football of any team in the AFC right now and have been the most consistent throughout the season. Their only losses came against the Steelers, Colts, and Browns. They face the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend, with both teams needing a win. The Ravens need it to hold on to the top spot, while the Jaguars could be in jeopardy of going from division leader to outside the playoffs if they lose this one.