NFL power rankings: AFC edition, Week 1

The NFL season is less than 24 hours from starting, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited. In the AFC, the New England Patriots are the clear leader in the clubhouse, but there are ample challengers to the throne.

Let’s count down the teams from best to worst, starting with a couple of full-scale rebuilding efforts.

16. New York Jets

The Jets will be lucky to win a game this season. New York tore it down to the ground, and its going to be a long process to get back to respectability.

15. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo is in the same boat as New York, just slightly less along in the rebuild. The Bills has Marcell Dareus, LeSean McCoy and not much else.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville could have a very good defense with A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey and others, but until it gets a better quarterback, Blake Bortles will continue dragging the Jaguars down.

13. Cleveland Browns

The Browns aren’t going to win many games in 2017, but DeShone Kizer gives Cleveland hope for the future with a cannon for a right arm.

12. Indianapolis Colts

Without Andrew Luck, the Colts will be thrilled to win a game. Indianapolis has absolutely no talent on the roster otherwise.

11. Denver Broncos

This might seem low for the Broncos, but Trevor Siemian caps the ceiling on this offense. The defense is still stacked, but will sorely miss Wade Phillips.

10. Miami Dolphins

Jay Cutler is a decent quarterback, but he was retired a few months ago. Cutler was mentally done with football, and it’s going to show.

9. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have talent defensively, but the injuries are mounting and the offense doesn’t have much to write home about. This is a tough team to figure.

8. Los Angeles Chargers

If the Chargers had an offensive line, they would be a playoff team. However, injury concerns and a bad front are keeping Los Angeles at 7-8 wins instead of 10.

7. Houston Texans

We know who the Texans are. Terrific defense and Tom Savage. Very average.

6. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are very talented in the front seven, and the skill-position players are solid around Andy Dalton, but is the line going to hold up?

5. Tennessee Titans

The Titans are a very solid team. Tennessee still has some holes to plug defensively, but this should be a playoff team in Marcus Mariota’s third year.

4. Oakland Raiders

If the Raiders can play any defense, they have a shot to reach the Super Bowl. In Derek Carr’s fourth year, superstardom could be in the future.

3. Kansas City Chiefs

Alex Smith is the only concern on a loaded roster. If Smith can make plays come January, the Chiefs might be the toughest out for New England thanks to a great defense.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

No team has more talent offensively, and the defense has enough to win 10-11 games. Pittsburgh can outscore anybody, making it extremely dangerous.

1. New England Patriots

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Enough said.