NFL power rankings: Looking at AFC 16-1
The AFC has been ruled by the Kansas City Chiefs for the past two seasons. Do our NFL power rankings see a chance at the top?
16. Houston Texans
This was a no-brainer. The Texans have a few stars, but the roster is incredibly thin on both sides of the football.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence is going to be a great quarterback, but he’s surrounded by a bad offensive line, questionable defense and a first-year pro head coach in Urban Meyer.
14. New York Jets
You can love the first-year tandem of head coach Robert Saleh and quarterback Zach Wilson, but that’s a ton of pressure without much of a supporting cast.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
What will we get from quarterback Joe Burrow? Is he all the way from a knee injury that cost him the second half of last season? He only played three preseason snaps.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have no playoff wins since 2002 and under head coach Jon Gruden, the last three years have all been disappointments. With Gruden’s worst roster yet, why expect more?
11. Denver Broncos
The Broncos have some very good players on both sides of their roster, but Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock don’t inspire confidence under center.
10. Indianapolis Colts
Nothing has gone right this summer for the Colts. Now, they get the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens in the season’s first five weeks. Good luck.
9. Miami Dolphins
Nobody is under more pressure than quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. If he can beat the Patriots in Week 1, suddenly fortunes are looking up.
8. New England Patriots
New England is rolling with a starting rookie quarterback for the first time sine Drew Bledsoe did it in 1993. It’s going to be the proverbial trial by fire for Mac Jones.
7. Pittsburgh SteelersÂ
If Ben Roethlisberger can get some protection from the offensive line, there’s hope. Otherwise, the offense is going to struggle again.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert is terrific, his weaponry is solid and the defense, while not great, is adequate. If head coach Brandon Staley is good, the Chargers will be as well.
5. Tennessee Titans
Everyone talks about the offense, but the Titans completely rebuilt their lackluster defense from a year ago. If the secondary holds up, look out.
4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have been bit hard by the injury bug, losing running back J.K. Dobbins for the year among other things. Yet this teams wins and wins often with Lamar Jackson at the controls.
3. Cleveland Browns
Love the Browns roster. Might be the best in football. If Baker Mayfield takes one step up, this is a potential Super Bowl team.
2. Buffalo Bills
The Bills went from good to a legitimate contender last year and kept all their pieces. It’s all about getting past the Chiefs.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs see the Browns, Ravens and Bills in their first five weeks. Win those, stay healthy and the road to the Super Bowl goes through Arrowhead Stadium.
