The Buffalo Bills took the top spot in our AFC rankings a few weeks ago after they dismantled the Miami Dolphins. Since then, the Bills have lost two of their last three and narrowly escaped losing all three. They have fallen from the top spot and this week; they fall even further.
Who is our number one this week, the Kansas City Chiefs won again, and it would make sense for them to remain so, but the Baltimore Ravens look very impressive in their battle against the previously 5 - 1 Detroit Lions.
We can't forget the Miami Dolphins dropped their second game of the year and continue to add strength to the opinion they can't beat any of the good teams. The only two games they've played against teams with winning records ended in a double-digit defeat.
Even the Denver Broncos picked up a win this week, as did the Jacksonville Jaguars. They've now won four consecutive and are beginning to pull away a bit more in the AFC South; however, the Houston Texans aren't too far behind but were on a bye this week.
The Las Vegas Raiders were blown out by a team in the Chicago Bears many consider the worst team in the NFL, so does that make the Raiders the worst team in the AFC? That spot is up for grabs after both the Broncos and Patriots pulled out wins this week. Anyway, let's go ahead and jump into the AFC rankings.
16. Tennessee Titans (2 - 4)
The last time we saw the Tennessee Titans on the field they lost their second in a row, this time against the Baltimore Ravens but they were on a bye this week. Is it fair to drop them to last despite not playing? The short answer is yes. And now they are talking about rookie Will Levis getting his first NFL start. Things just might get worse for the Titans too, with the trade deadline coming, both Derrick Henry and Deandre Hopkins are rumored to be potential trade targets.
15. Denver Broncos (2 - 5)
The Denver Broncos finally got win number two. They beat the Green Bay Packers 19 - 17 and improved 2 - 5 on the year but I don't see them winning many more games. The Broncos could be a trade partner at the deadline but who could be on the move is anyone's guess. Regardless, with Sean Payton taking over, he'll likely want to start building this roster his way, which could mean some current players being traded for some draft assets.
14. Las Vegas Raiders (3 - 4)
Wow, the Las Vegas Raiders had a golden opportunity to get their record over .500 and instead, they were completely embarrassed by Tyson Bagent and the Chicago Bears. The Bears are considered one of the worst teams in the league by many. Guess we may need to rethink that, but it will be interesting to see if the Raiders decide to make any moves at the trade deadline, either as a buyer or seller. My guess would be as a seller, with Devante Adams wanting out.
13. New England Patriots (2 - 5)
The New England Patriots pulled off a huge upset, defeating the Buffalo Bills with an improbably game-winning drive. The winning drive was the first of Mac Jones' career since his rookie year. Has he and the Patriots turned a corner? We'll see how the team does going forward but if you're a Patriots fan, you'd probably prefer they just lose so they could be in the Caleb Willians sweepstakes.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (2 - 4)
Has there ever been a more talented team in recent memory that just can't find a way to win consistently? I've said before and I'll say it again, Coach Staley needs to go. His coaching decisions throughout his tenure have cost this team games and then there is the big loss in the playoffs, after holding a big lead.
11. New York (3 - 3)
The New York Jets and their fans are still riding high after their big win against the Philadelphia Eagles two weeks ago but with a bye this past weekend, they haven't had a chance to build on that win. The Jets will face their cross-town rival, the Giants, which gives them a very good chance to get to 4 - 3. But the Giants narrowly lost to the Buffalo Bills two weeks ago and followed that up with a win against the Washington Commanders.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (3 - 3)
The Cincinnati Bengals were on a bye this week but have won three of their last four and gotten right back into the thick of the AFC race. Joe Burrow is playing better and seems back to his old self, plus Tee Higgins is getting healthy too. Despite the three wins, they still sit in fourth place in the AFC North.
9. Indianapolis Colts (3 - 4)
It's unfortunate for the Indianapolis Colts that they lost rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson but now the team must rely on Gardner Minshew going forward. Jonathan Taylor returned though and is getting back to form, so that should help the team win some games. They are far from out of it too but will need to try to keep pace with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
8. Buffalo Bills (4- 3)
I certainly never would have guessed we'd be sitting here listing the Buffalo Bills out of the top five in the AFC but that's the current world we live in. After struggling for three straight games and multiple injuries on the defensive side, the Bills need to find some answers and could be major players at the trade deadline. Yet despite all this, they are only a game behind the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East.
7. Houston Texans (3 - 3)
The Houston Texans were on a bye this week but so far, have been a surprise in the AFC. It's an uphill climb within the AFC South, so if they are to make a legitimate run at a playoff spot, it'll most likely have to be as a wildcard team. C.J. Stroud has been impressive and is the front-runner for the league's rookie of the year.
6. Miami Dolphins (5 - 2)
The Miami Dolphins lost on Sunday night to the Philadelphia Eagles and didn't help their case to quell the naysayers. All five of the Dolphins' wins have been by teams with a losing record and the two losses by teams with winning records. And both those losses were by double-digits. Still, they hold a one game advantage on the second-place Buffalo Bills within the division.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (4 - 2)
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 24 - 17, for their fourth win of the season and remain only a half game behind the Baltimore Ravens. They've won two straight now, including a 2 - 0 record within the division. They have a huge AFC tilt this weekend against the 5 - 2 Jacksonville Jaguars, who are playing as well as any team in the NFL right now.
4. Cleveland Browns (4 - 2)
The Cleveland Browns have been carried by their defense but against the Indianapolis Colts, they gave up 38 points and the team benched starting quarterback Deshaun Watson. Yet, the Browns offense was up to the task this time and scored just enough to get a win. The AFC North is going to be tough, with all four teams at or above .500 and the Browns face the Seattle Seahawks this weekend.
3. Baltimore Ravens (5 - 2)
Has the Baltimore Ravens finally gotten their offense rolling under the new offensive coordinator? They put up 38 against the 5 - 1 Detroit Lions, winning their fifth of the season. The Ravens currently sit atop the AFC North but the Browns and Steelers are right behind them nipping at their heels. This division will be fun to watch as the season progresses, as all four teams may find their way into the playoffs.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (5 - 2)
The Jacksonville Jaguars have won four straight and the second-longest win streak in the NFL. They've been impressive since starting the season 1 - 2, they have been rolling and sit comfortably in first in the AFC South, with a 2.5-game lead over the second place Houston Texans.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (6 - 1)
The Kansas City Chiefs offense hasn't been impressive this season but after losing the season opener to the Detroit Lions, they've ripped off six straight wins. Now the offense might be getting things figured out too, scoring 31 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Once again, the Chiefs find themselves atop not only the division but in the AFC. Only the Philadelphia Eagles can match the Chiefs in the win column. Are the Chiefs on the path to another Super Bowl appearance?