The AFC is overall a weak conference, but it's got some of the best teams in the NFL at the top. All of the Patriots, Colts, and Broncos won in Week 10, so they all maintain the NFL-best record of 8-2. But other teams like the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, and Chargers arel lurking a bit.
The other neat thing here is that there doesn't appear to be a clear-cut contender in the conference. Even the Chiefs, who have won the AFC in each of the past three seasons, have a legitimate chance to end Week 11 at 5-5. The Buffalo Bills have not looked great this year, and the Chargers, Colts, Broncos, and Patriots all have issues as well.
While it's easy to see which teams are the worst, there is a logjam in the middle and the top of the conference. Let's unveil our latest AFC power rankings approaching Week 11.
AFC Power Rankings: Patriots, Colts, and Broncos all still stay at the top?
16. Tennessee Titans (1-8)
Arguably one of the worst teams the NFL has seen in quite some time, the Tennessee Titans are again trending toward earning the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Now, yes, the Titans aren't going to take a QB, but it's OK to look at Cam Ward's rookie season and not be optimistic at all.
15. Cleveland Browns (2-7)
Losing to the New York Jets in Week 10, the Cleveland Browns somehow hit a new version of rock-bottom each week. We've talked about the Browns a lot - until this team gets serious about the QB position, they won't ascend. That's really the only thing holding them back, as the defense is good.
14. New York Jets (2-7)
The New York Jets won their second game of the season and are 2-7 on the year, but this team is heading toward a full rebuild, as they swung major trades and sent Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams to the Colts and Cowboys.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)
It's hard to understand what the Las Vegas Raiders were trying to accomplish this season - I guess they thought the new trio of Pete Carroll, Geno Smith, and Ashton Jeanty was going to be able to make progress in a very deep AFC West, but the total opposite has happened.
I would not be shocked if the Raiders again cleaned house soon.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)
Joe Burrow has returned to practice, but that isn't going to save their season. The Bengals might just have the worst defense of the 21st century, and until this front office gets that fixed, Cincy will not return to the postseason. They are tracking to miss the playoffs for the third year in a row, as they last appeared all the way back in 2022.
Slowly but surely, Joe Burrow's prime years are amounting to nothing. When will it change? If nothing else, Joe Flacco has played well...
11. Miami Dolphins (3-7)
An upset win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 10, the Miami Dolphins rise to no. 11 in our power rankings and are slowly creeping closer to no. 10. The Dolphins did sell at the deadline and have cleaned house in the front office, but it's clear that this team is still believing itself.
And heck, Mike McDaniel clearly has a good grip on this locker room. There is a chance that he could return in the 2026 NFL Season, but Miami may just want to start fresh. This roster, at best, is flawed. The Dolphins are 3-7 for a reason.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
The Jacksonville Jaguars squandered a fourth quarter lead against a backup QB and the Houston Texans. It's clear that the Jags have played well this year under first-year head coach Liam Coen, but the team just isn't there yet. They are overachieving based on the roster talent, and it's going to take a couple of seasons for that talent to be acquired.
Still, though, a 5-4 record is a 5-4 record.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4)
Three losses over their last four games, the Pittsburgh Steelers are beginning to bottom out, and with the Baltimore Ravens now winners of three in a row, it's clear what could be happening in the AFC North. What does Pittsburgh excel at? They feel painfully average at everything,
8. Houston Texans (4-5)
We're now approaching some teams in the AFC that do things well. The Houston Texans might have the best defense in the NFL, and they are now 4-2 over their past six games after a brutal 0-3 start. Sure, they have a long way to go and are not guaranteed anything this year, but they've got the formula to turn the season around.
They've won this division in each of the previous two seasons, and with CJ Stroud perhaps tracking to return soon, Houston could be at near-full strength. I would not rule out this squad from making a leap.
7. Baltimore Ravens (4-5)
Winners of three in a row and the healthiest they have been all year, the Baltimore Ravens feel like a 6-3 team at this point and are probably the favorites to win the AFC North all of a sudden. Like the Texans, the Ravens aren't guaranteed anything and will have to keep stacking wins, but the momentum is in their direction.
The Ravens have also made the regular season look like a piece of cake over the years. Baltimore is absolutely one of the seven-best teams in the AFC right now.
6. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
Now 0-4 in one-score games, the Kansas City Chiefs have problems. This team is not a juggernaut and is 5-4 for a reason. Roster-wise, the talent just isn't that spectacular, and this team could very well end Week 11 with a 5-5 record, as the Denver Broncos have not lost at home in over a calendar year.
KC is no. 6 in our power rankings, and it's going to take a lot for them to win the AFC West this year.
5. Buffalo Bills (6-3)
The Buffalo Bills just aren't a special team this year. The offense and defense have taken steps back, and they are now even further behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East following their blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins. However, the Bills aren't slouches by any means and do have the reigning MVP.
4. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
The LA Chargers are now 7-3 on the year after a primetime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chargers are now without Joe Alt, so the offense could take a dip in production, as their current offensive line might be the worst in the NFL.
Justin Herbert has also already thrown eight interceptions in his 10 games this year. He threw 10 in his previous 30 games, so he's putting the ball in harm's way a lot more. He's been sacked 33 times already, so this OL could really prevent them from doing a whole lot else this year.
3. New England Patriots (8-2)
Winning over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10, the New England Patriots may have just proved that they are indeed legitimate. They have still played a soft schedule, and that isn't going to change, and they are 8-2 for a reason. Drake Maye might just be an MVP candidate, and Mike Vrabel is surely a top favorite for the Coach of the Year award.
The Pats are third in our power rankings and do just about everything well.
2. Denver Broncos (8-2)
The Denver Broncos have won seven games in a row after a shaky 1-2 start to begin the season. The pass rush is on pace to finish with the most sacks by a team in the history in the NFL. The offense has absolutely been an issue this year, but all the Broncos need from that unit is average play, and this team could win it all.
Denver is no. 2 in our AFC power rankings and host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11. With a win over KC, the Broncos really make it tough for them to win the AFC West this year. Many have circled that game as one the biggest in the history of the NFL.
1. Indianapolis Colts (8-2)
The Indianapolis Colts are still the best team in the AFC, but this team hasn't played all that well over the past two games. The Pittsburgh Steelers embarrassed them in Week 9, and Daniel Jones couldn't stop turning the ball over.
They didn't have an easy time against the Atlanta Falcons, and they needed overtime to put them away. With a tough slate of games remaining, some have wondered if the Colts are going to begin stacking losses. It really would not shock me, but to this point, they feel like the best and most complete team in the AFC.