It's been a crazy couple of weeks since my last rankings, including the Buffalo Bills losing back-to-back games for the first time this season, which led to the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. The Bills promoted quarterbacks coach Joe Brady as the interim coordinator. Time will tell if this move makes a difference.
In the meantime, the Houston Texans won again and after a loss by the Jacksonville Jaguars, they are only a game out of the division lead in the AFC South. The Texans meet the Arizona Cardinals this week and the Jaguars take on the Tennessee Titans. On paper, both the Texans and Jags should win, setting up a massive showdown between them in Week 12.
The Cincinnati Bengals took their fourth loss, this time falling to the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, the Jaguars were embarrassed by the San Francisco 49ers, who seem to have returned to form. The Denver Broncos own the conferences longest win streak, having won three straight now, including wins against Chiefs and the aforementioned Bills.
The Kansas City Chiefs stand alone atop the conference standings, as far as playoff seedings go, with a 7 - 2 record; however, there are five teams either a game or half a game behind the Chiefs. There are also only two teams in the whole conference that are more than one game below .500. It's going to be tough to get into the playoffs in the AFC.
Here are my AFC rankings for Week 11
16. New England Patriots (2 - 8)
This Patriots team is bad. Plain and simple. Coach Belichick benched Mac Jones late in the game and Bailey Zappe stepped in, only to throw an interception, effectively sealing the Patriots' fate. At this point, I think it's fair to ask the question, should or will Belichick return next season? If you ask me, I think he returns. The Patriots will be in a position to select one of the top quarterbacks in next year's NFL Draft and Belichick may see this as an opportunity to get things turned back around.
15. Tennessee Titans (3 - 6)
The Tennessee Titans have lost two straight games now. I would be surprised if the Titans ever go back to Ryan Tannehill at any point this season (barring injury) or ever for that matter. Will Levis has played better than most probably expected and looks like he might be the longterm quarterback for in Tennessee. The Titans probably won't win too many more games and probably should have traded Deandre Hopkins for some draft assets, to set themselves up for a run at Marvin Harrison Jr next year.
14. New York (4 - 5)
The New York Jets were feeling pretty good for a minute there. They won three straight games, including a big win against the Philadelphia Eagles, and were sitting at 4 - 3, with rumors of Aaron Rodgers possibly returning later this season. Since then, they have lost two consecutive games to the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (4 - 5)
I simply can't figure out the Los Angeles Chargers. One week they look like one of the best teams in the league, then follow up with a dud or two. This team is loaded with as much talent as any team in the league and should be winning far more than they are. We've seen two coach firings so far this season between Buffalo's Ken Dorsey and the Raiders McDaniels. Is Chargers head coach Brandon Staley the next to fall?
12. Las Vegas Raiders (5 - 5)
The Las Vegas Raiders made a change with their head coach, firing Josh McDaniels and named interim head coach Antonio Pierce. He's currently undefeated as a head coach, with the Raiders having won back-to-back games since his promotion. How long will it last? Who knows but the Raiders are playing better under him and with rookie Aiden O'Connell under center.
11. Buffalo Bills (5- 5)
This is mind-blowing. What has happened to the Buffalo Bills? This is a question I have complete strangers at the grocery store asking me when they pass me in my Bills gear. My response is simple, I just look at them and shake my head. I have no answers and clearly no one at One Bills Drive has any either. It's been good seeing Dalton Kincaid getting involved and Khalil Shakir too but is Coach McDermott on the hot seat? Will firing Dorsey and giving the offense to Joe Brady help? Maybe, but Brady wasn't exactly lighting the league on fire with his offense when leading the Carolina Panthers and was fired too. Let's hope things go better this time around and the Bills can get on a roll.
10. Denver Broncos (4 - 5)
The Denver Broncos have the longest winning streak in the conference, having won three in a row, including wins against the Chiefs and Bills. The Broncos have come a long way since giving up 70 points to the Miami Dolphins. Maybe I could have moved them higher in the rankings but the AFC is tough this season. With several teams winning and sporting winning records. If the Broncos can continue winning, they will certainly earn their way up the top ten.
9. Indianapolis Colts (5 - 5)
The Indianapolis Colts started the season strong but then faltered. However, they rebounded and are now winning again, with the latest wins coming against the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots. Not exactly stellar competition but wins are wins and the Colts are keeping themselves in the playoff conversation.
8. Cincinnati Bengals (5 - 4)
The Cincinnati Bengals were on a roll and looked to be getting back on track but then dropped one to the Houston Texans, though it might be time to start showing the Texans a little more respect. More on that later. I fully expect the Bengals to be in the thick of things, as far as playoff wildcards go. Barring a big collapse from the Ravens, I don't think the Bengals will challenge for the division crown but the wildcard is certainly in play.
7. Houston Texans (5 - 4)
Who would have thought the Houston Texans would not only be in the hunt for a playoff spot but legitimately in a race for the division title? They are only a game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were playing well, but just got thumped by the San Francisco 49ers. If the playoffs were today, the Texans would be the seventh seed and honestly, this is not a team I would want to face right now. C.J. Stroud is not playing like a rookie and this team could make things difficult for any team in the conference.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (6 - 3)
If I didn't know any better, I would have said the Pittsburgh Steelers were a below .500 team. Somehow, they continue to win and sit in good shape at 6 - 3; however, they play in the toughest division in the conference, possibly in the whole league. Any of the four teams is capable of beating anyone in the division. I think the Ravens are the best team in the AFC North, but the Browns defense will keep them alive for the division and we know how good the Bengals can be.
5. Cleveland Browns (6 - 3)
Speaking of the Browns, they will be without Deshaun Watson for the remainder of the season. Not like he was performing at a high level anyway. This team is all about their defense, which will keep them in just about every game, but their offense will keep them from a division crown or from getting bounced early in the playoffs if they make it in.
4. Miami Dolphins (6 - 3)
The Miami Dolphins were on a bye this past week and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs the week before that. The Dolphins are 6 - 0 against teams with losing records but 0 - 3 against teams that had winning records win they played them. Good news Dolphins fans, they don't play a winning team for more than a month.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (6 - 3)
The Jacksonville Jaguars were on a roll, having won five straight games. At one point they were number one on our rankings but then they met with a San Francisco team that was struggling and were embarrassed at home 34 - 3. I have little doubt the Jags will rebound though. They host the Tennessee Titans this week and should come away with a win. Next week is a huge division battle with the Houston Texans. That should be a fun game.
2. Baltimore Ravens (7 - 3)
The Baltimore Ravens won four in a row, including impressive wins against the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. They vaulted to the number one spot in these rankings; however, a loss against the Cleveland Browns cost them that spot but number two in the conference is a good place to be. More importantly, they lead the AFC North division and right behind the Chiefs for that all-important number seed come playoff time.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (7 - 2)
The Kansas City Chiefs had a bye week but moved up in the rankings after losses by both the Jaguars and Ravens. The Chiefs won their last game, against the Dolphins and now get ready to host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. The Chiefs haven't been overly impressive in most games but continue to win and have the best record in the conference and second-best in the NFL.