Before the start of the 2025 season, the AFC looked like it was clearly the class of the NFL. The AFC had the reigning NFL MVP, another trio of MVP candidates on his heels, the most obvious breakout team/QB in the NFL (Patriots), and more.
As the season has gone along, we’ve seen the AFC completely broken down with a season-ending injury for Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson out and the Ravens at 1-5, as well as one team already firing their head coach.
We’re putting together our Week 7 AFC Power Rankings after a wild week of action in Week 6. We’re not only evaluating each team based on their body of work so far, but how well they’re passing the “eye test” after this past week, and how they project going forward this season.
NFL Power Rankings, Week 7: Bills falling, Chiefs & Patriots rising in AFC
16. New York Jets
The winless New York Jets might have pulled off an upset against the Denver Broncos in London had it not been for the play of quarterback Justin Fields. After witnessing one of the literal worst quarterback performances in NFL history, you’ve got to think the Jets are due for a change at the position in the very near future.
If Fields can’t improve, how are the Jets supposed to even get a quality evaluation of their other players on that side of the ball? He was sacked nine times against the Broncos and had -10 net passing yards. It was a dreadful performance from Fields, and the Jets are on the fast track to selling at the trade deadline.
15. Tennessee Titans
It seems like a massive upset for the Titans to be in the 15th spot on this list this week. They just fired their coach before even the middle of the season, and are fresh off of a loss to a struggling Raiders team. There are darker days ahead for the Titans, but this is one of the few teams at the very bottom of this list with at least a clear plan about the future at QB.
Cam Ward is being given the chance to fail forward, and the Titans just need time to build around him. The first step will be getting the head coach right, and we’ll see who ends up on that short list after the season for GM Mike Borgonzi.
14. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are letting Dillon Gabriel spread his wings a little bit, but the early returns on that are not overwhelmingly positive. Gabriel barely eclipsed 200 yards passing on Sunday against the Steelers despite throwing over 50 passes.
Nothing has changed for the Browns this year. You do wonder if, at some point, we’ll end up seeing Shedeur Sanders out there, but regardless, this year is all about figuring out who will be part of the solution and foundation going forward.
13. Cincinnati Bengals
After making a trade for Joe Flacco in a desperate attempt to save the season, the Bengals were actually pretty competitive against the Green Bay Packers. Now sitting at 2-4, the Bengals have really one last legitimate shot at keeping hope alive for this season on Thursday night against the Steelers.
Can Joe Flacco pull off the impossible? There is no doubt that what Jake Browning was bringing to the table was below replacement level, and the Bengals do have playmakers. The fate of Trey Hendrickson at this year’s NFL trade deadline could be in Flacco’s hands.
12. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders got exactly what they needed, exactly when they needed it. A home game against the Titans in Week 6 that ultimately came at the Titans’ lowest point of the season, right before they fired head coach Brian Callahan. Regardless of the opponent, a win is a win, and the Raiders’ defense came through in a big way.
Specifically, how about linebacker Devin White playing well for Raiders GM (and former Bucs executive) John Spytek? Spytek isn’t calling the defensive plays, but there was a pretty dramatic falling out between White and the Bucs, and it seemed like his career was on its last leg. He’s making the most of his opportunity there, so far.
11. Miami Dolphins
Just like what we saw with the Tennessee Titans, you can’t help but feel like it’s a matter of time before the Miami Dolphins make a drastic change at the head coach position and move on from Mike McDaniel. At one point, McDaniel was the NFL’s wunderkind, and now he’s having to manage a brutal operation week after week.
The Dolphins put a pretty strong effort out there on Sunday against the Chargers, and they had Justin Herbert and the Bolts on the brink. Jaelan Phillips still has to be kicking himself over missing a sack on Herbert that ultimately led to the biggest play of the game, and the Dolphins losing. How much more does this team have left in the tank before they completely implode and have a trade deadline fire sale?
10. Baltimore Ravens
At 1-5 this season, the Baltimore Ravens are only showing up this high in our weekly AFC power rankings based on the fact that they’ve been such a force over the past handful of years. But at some point, results have to come, or they’re going to be cellar dwellers along with the Browns and Jets.
Lamar Jackson’s return to the field should spark this team and remind everybody why the Ravens are such a dangerous threat, even with five losses already this season. If Lamar is back in peak form, the Ravens could still legitimately only drop 6 or 7 games total this season. They need to get hot immediately.
9. Houston Texans
After starting the season 0-3, the Houston Texans have a chance to make a statement on Monday night football against the Seattle Seahawks.
With the way the Seahawks have played this season, however, this is a crucial turning point moment for DeMeco Ryans and CJ Stroud. They have a brutal task of going up against an offense that will test their #1-ranked scoring defense, but also going up against a defensive front that could give their offensive line major issues.
If Houston can pull off a win on the road and get to 3-3, it could be the biggest catalyst to get them back into the mix for at least a Wild Card spot in the AFC.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
Oddly enough, as the Jacksonville Jaguars head over to London, it’s their defense that has them in the mix with the Colts at the top of the AFC South. The Jaguars got a signature win in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football, but they couldn’t follow that performance with another win against Seattle in Week 6.
You can’t win ‘em all, I suppose.
But the Jaguars have a chance yet again with another elite opponent in Week 7. They will take on the Rams in a “home” game over in London, with a chance to prove to the entire NFL that they belong in the “contender” conversation. Can that defense hold up, even with the Rams playing without Puka Nacua?
This will be a great test for former Sean McVay disciple Liam Coen.
7. Denver Broncos
If the playoffs started today, the Denver Broncos would be right back where they ended last year: The 7th seed in the AFC and looking like they are still a piece or two short of being a true contender, at least on offense.
The Broncos invested heavily in the 2025 offseason on the defensive side of the ball, while Sean Payton banked on player development offensively almost exclusively (aside from the Evan Engram addition, and a late JK Dobbins addition). That decision has ultimately been met with very mixed results, as the Broncos’ weekly struggle is figuring out how to sustain success on offense.
The Broncos are returning home after a long road trip to Philadelphia and London to face off against the Giants in Week 7. This week could mark the debut of free agent pickup Dre Greenlaw as well.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
As of right now, the Los Angeles Chargers are clinging to their lead atop the AFC West. They beat every single one of their division opponents in order to start the 2025 season, but they’ve been having to really battle lately with the amount of injuries they’re dealing with.
Especially with Justin Herbert missing his top two offensive linemen – Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt – it’s difficult to make a long-term projection right now for the Chargers. Jim Harbaugh is going to have his guys ready, and Herbert is making clutch plays this season. We’ll see how long they can sustain, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they start to backslide a little bit.
5. Buffalo Bills
What a difference a week makes…
The Buffalo Bills have consistently been #1 or #2 in my entire NFL-wide power rankings, but here they are at #5 in their own conference after a second-straight loss.
We’re not doubting the Bills’ ability to be a Super Bowl contender, but they have a lot of stuff to work out right now. The skill position talent for this team on offense has become a bit of an issue, and the Bills’ defense has been a problem all year.
We sort of saw the writing on the wall for this team after an ugly win against the Saints, but the Patriots and Falcons have broken the dam completely since then. The Bills need to get back on track badly.
4. New England Patriots
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: Everything Patriots fans could have hoped for at this point is manifesting. Mike Vrabel looks like the perfect hire as the team’s head coach. Drake Maye is ascending among the NFL’s elite young quarterbacks. Stefon Diggs has been awesome. They’ve already beaten the Bills.
The Patriots were expected to be a possible breakout team this year, and we’re seeing that come to fruition early on. We’ll see if they can keep it up, but this is looking like a truly great start to the year for a franchise that has been trying to figure things out since the dynasty era.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
I do struggle a little bit to put the Pittsburgh Steelers this high. While the Steelers are 4-1 to start the season, and likely even 5-1 after Thursday against the Bengals, I’m just not buying them quite yet.
I think when it comes to weekly power rankings, you “have” to put them up this high because of their win-loss record, but let’s say there’s an asterisk next to this team, because they’re not passing the eye test for me just yet. You can only play who’s in front of you, but congrats on beating the Jets, Carson Wentz-led Vikings, Dillon Gabriel-led Browns, and soon the Joe Flacco-led Bengals.
The Steelers don’t need to beat quality opponents to be in good playoff position, but style points matter when it comes to power rankings.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Here’s my hottest take of the week, because the Kansas City Chiefs were just 2-3 a handful of days ago and it looked like they were going to be well on their way to a 2-4 start with the white hot Detroit Lions coming to town.
After dismantling the Lions, the Chiefs have now broken the Ravens and been a “stopper” for an offense that previously hadn’t been stopped since Week 1. It was as impressive of a win, especially considering the stakes of losing, that we’d seen all year.
The Chiefs have reminded everyone that they’re not going anywhere anytime soon, and the return of Rashee Rice in Week 7 makes an already dynamic offense even better on paper.
1. Indianapolis Colts
You can’t say the Indianapolis Colts are head-and-shoulders above everybody else in the AFC this season, but they have been consistently very good.
Daniel Jones is operating the offense well. The Colts have a plethora of offensive weapons. Shane Steichen is a very good coach. The defense is solid. The Colts have the makings of being one of the best stories in the NFL at the end of the season, but things are about to get real for them.
Out of the next 10 games on the schedule, only the Titans and Texans have a losing record currently, and the Texans have the #1 scoring defense in the NFL. The validity of the Colts’ hot start will soon be put to the test.