The AFC is definitely an interesting conference this year, as many of the top teams over the years are currently in a heated playoff battle, let alone being in a good position to win the division. Well, Week 13 action brings some huge games in the AFC, especially on Thanksgiving.
The Chiefs and Ravens are both needing to keep winning to see their playoff hopes not take a nosedive. With all the six and seven-win teams present in the AFC, each win is so insanely important at this point in time.
Let's get into our updated AFC power rankings approaching some massive Week 13 action.
Updated AFC Power Rankings approaching crucial Week 13 action
16. Tennessee Titans
This is a bad team, but rookie QB Cam Ward has shown flashes this season, so it seems like he could have 'it.'
The Titans will need to hit on their next coaching staff and do have to infuse this roster with a ton of talent, but the quarterback seems to have something about him. If nothing else, that's a win in a lost season.
15. Las Vegas Raiders
Arguably the worst team in the NFL, the Las Vegas Raiders have already fired two coordinators, and I would not be shocked if QB Geno Smith was sent to the bench here shortly. This has been one of the worst years of Raiders' football in quite some time, and that is saying something.
What do the Raiders do well besides lose?
14. New York Jets
The New York Jets seeing Tyrod Taylor be their best QB is a huge issue. With the trades of Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, though, New York has a ton of draft picks to use in 2026 and 2027 to reload this roster, but they simply have to find a franchise QB.
That's the one thing holding this franchise back, but the rest of the roster is a bit of a disaster.
13. Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders won his first NFL start, and Myles Garrett is on pace to have the best defensive season ever. The Browns have the talent on defense to get back into the playoffs in 2026 if they can simply hit on a QB in next year's NFL Draft.
12. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals seem poised to bring Joe Burrow back into the lineup for their Week 13 contest against the Baltimore Ravens, but Burrow is not going to save this team, as Cincy's defense is almost historically bad, and there is only so much the offense can do.
The defense has been an issue for multiple years now, and I get the sense that a new coaching staff is what this team needs. The Bengals have not made the playoffs since the 2022 NFL Season and continue to waste the prime Joe Burrow years. This is a yucky situation all the way around.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
Once 4-1, the Pittsburgh Steelers are now 6-5, and, honestly, they need a season with a losing record. The Steelers are too stubborn an organization and need a reality check, as this roster is just OK, and the coaching staff seems to have overstayed their welcome.
Until Pittsburgh gets real about getting a franchise QB and prioritizing the NFL Draft, they will continue down this road of mediocrity. What is the identity of this football team right now?
10. Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are still playing hard, so you have to give them that, but a series of bad roster moves has left this team where they are today. I get the sense that Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa are both returning in 2026, and a strong offseson focusing on the right positions could have this team back in the playoff picture.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are not a special team and really don't do a whole lot as well as they used to. The Chiefs are 6-5 for a reason and will have their hands full in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys. KC is pretty behind in the AFC West race as well and do not control their own destiny for the division title, which would be their 10th in a row.
Kansas City is no. 9 in our AFC rankings.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are 7-4 on the season and a pretty frisky team, but Trevor Lawrence is one of the more interesting QBs in the NFL. One second he looks great, and the other second he throws horrendous interceptions.
I am not sure how far the Jaguars can go, but the defense seems to be good enough to get them into the playoffs, and I guess the offense plays well when the team needs them to the most. Jacksonville is also in a spot to win the AFC South if the Colts falter a bit.
7. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are the most 'whelming' team in the NFL. They aren't a great team, but they aren't a bad team. Buffalo is now three wins behind the New England Patriots in the AFC East and have a ton of work to do to catch up to them.
The offense has taken a step back, and the defense isn't nearly as stout as it's been in previous seasons. Buffalo is not a contender this year and is in a Wild Card spot for a reason.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are another 'whatever' 7-4 team. LA has been banged-up this year and are now down both tackles in Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. If nothing else, running back Omarion Hampton could be making his way back into the lineup.
LA is still within reach in the AFC West, but the roster is brittle and lacks depth for it being this late in the season.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Winners of five games in a row, the Baltimore Ravens are creeping up the AFC standings and are now in a playoff spot. Lamar Jackson is going to have to take his game to another level down the stretch if this team wants to get back into the playoffs.
Currently, the Ravens are in first in the AFC North.
4. Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are now 6-5 on the season after a weak 0-3 start to the season, and backup QB Davis Mills has played quite well. As starting QB CJ Stroud works his way back to the lineup because of a concussion, Houston hopes to continue closing the gap in the AFC South.
They feel like one of the more frisky, dangerous teams in the league to due a suffocating defense, and the offense has come along here as well. Still having a ton of work to do, things are going in the Texans' direction, as they seem to be peaking at the right time and are now all the way up to no. 4 in our AFC rankings.
3. Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have not played great football in recent weeks, and many have begun to see the chinks in the armor, if you will. Daniel Jones has been just OK, and the defense, while good, is nothing more than that. If the Colts want to get through this tough stretch in the rest of the regular season, they'll need to lean on what they do best, which is run the ball with Jonathan Taylor.
But this is uncharted territory for the Colts, so they not being able to come through when the stakes are high might be a thing that happens. For now, they are third in the AFC rankings, but it's clear that they aren't the best team in the conference anymore.
2. New England Patriots
For the time being, the New England Patriots have the best record in the NFL at 10-2, and they play on Monday Night Football in Week 13 against the New York Giants. The Pats can do just about everything well, but now with a banged-up offensive line, you have to wonder if they could struggle on MNF.
The roster itself is solid, but it does not have a ton of star power, and, despite his second-year jump, Drake Maye is taking a ton of sacks, so this team is far from perfect. However, they are trending toward winning the AFC East and be guaranteed at least one home playoff game this year.
1. Denver Broncos
Between the best defense in the NFL and a QB that comes alive in clutch moments, the Denver Broncos are the best team in the conference and have won eight games in a row. The Broncos were on the bye in Week 12 and could get CB Patrick Surtain II back for Sunday Night Football in Week 13, which would be huge.
The offense has struggled at times this year, but that unit is well-built and comes through when it matters the most. Denver is one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL and do have a legitimate shot at the no. 1 seed in the AFC this year.