A whopping six teams in the AFC have just one or two wins through eight weeks. The worst teams in the NFL are in this conference, and it's clear that the AFC has a couple of tiers. As the season progresses, we'll begin to see the best of the best continue to separate themselves from the middle class.
Right now, there isn't a clear-cut Super Bowl favorite in the AFC, and while some people still might want to take the Chiefs, they have their own flaws. Now that the halfway point of the season is here, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape.
We have our latest AFC power rankings ready to roll as Week 9 approaches. We are primarily looking at each team's total body of work for these rankings.
AFC power rankings approaching Week 9
16. Tennessee Titans (1-7)
The worst team in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans got blown out by the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8 and really don't have much of anything going for them right now. This team should be heavy sellers at the NFL trade deadline.
15. New York Jets (1-7)
Give credit where it's due; the New York Jets mounted a comeback and beat the Cincinnati Bengals. The Jets are still one of the worst teams in the NFL, but this is a 'what have you done for me lately' league.
14. Cleveland Browns (2-6)
A blowout loss to the New England Patriots didn't tell us anything we didn't already know about this franchise...
13. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)
The Las Vegas Raiders were on their bye in Week 8, but we did not forget how bad of an operation this is. The Raiders made countless errors this offseason, and it's left them, yet again, with poor coaching, bad QB play, and an overall bad, hollow roster.
Vegas is no. 13 in our power rankings and don't have much of a path to improve. It's another lost season for this franchise.
12. Miami Dolphins (2-6)
The Miami Dolphins blew out the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, but the Falcons are a bad team themselves and had Kirk Cousins in, as Michael Penix Jr was out with an injury. This win doesn't change the long-term picture for the Dolphins no matter how well they played.
The defense is still a mess, and the roster itself just isn't nearly good enough to consistently win in the NFL. Pass-rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips are two names to watch out for to be moved before the November 4th deadline.
11. Cincinnati Bengals (3-5)
The Cincinnati Bengals could have gotten to a respectable 4-4 record with a win over the then-winless New York Jets in Week 8, but a fourth quarter collapse feels like it will dip the Bengals into a bit of dysfunction. Now firmly among the worst teams in the conference, the Bengals likely weren't ever going to be able to go on some type of run with Joe Flacco.
The defense is a massive issue, and that might be putting it lightly. The Bengals drop to no. 11 in our power rankings and are trending toward some massive change in the offseason.
10. Baltimore Ravens (2-5)
In a couple of days, the Baltimore Ravens could be 3-5 and see Lamar Jackson healthy, so it's not hard to see how this team could make a bit of a run. The Ravens have been an injured mess this season, but if they could simply get healthy, the playoffs are in reach.
Baltimore could slowly climb our power rankings.
9. Houston Texans (3-4)
Now winners of three of their last four, the Houston Texans are all of a sudden just one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars and might be able to go on a run here. The offensive line is still a concern, but the defense is top-tier, and that could really help out a lot.
I would not rule out the Texans from thrusting back into the playoff picture.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3)
We're now entering the 'middle class' of the AFC. These teams are good but do have notable issues or roster flaws, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are a perfect example of that. Winning four of their first seven games, the Jags are the definition of good, but the offense is a work in progress, as veteran QB Trevor Lawrence really hasn't played that well.
The defense has been solid, but the unit itself is missing multiple starting-caliber players. Overall, the Jags do have a path to eight or nine wins, but they will be a fringe playoff team and aren't yet good enough to win a postseason game.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3)
Once 4-1, the Pittsburgh Steelers could see their AFC North lead evaporate in the coming weeks. The outdated defense has been the main issue this year, as the offense has been just fine. Veteran QB Aaron Rodgers has a passer rating over 100 this season and has turned back the clock a bit.
However, Pittsburgh again feels like a team that can go backwards into 9 or 10 wins and make the playoffs as a Wild Card seed.
6. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
Blowing out the Carolina Panthers in Week 8, the Buffalo Bills snapped their two-game losing streak but do have some defensive issues. The offense also hasn't been that special, and right now, they are looking up at the New England Patriots in the AFC East. I would not be shocked if it stayed that way in 2025.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (5-3)
The LA Chargers were once 3-0 about a month ago, but they've since gone 2-3 across their last five games and have dealt with some injuries. This roster just isn't that special, as they don't have the depth to overcome the injuries they've sustained.
Again not feeling like a great team, the LA Chargers are the epitome of good and nothing more.
4. New England Patriots (6-2)
We're now beginning to hit the top teams in the AFC and the most complete, best rosters in the conference. The New England Patriots have won five games in a row and are simply outstanding. Second-year QB Drake Maye has been a top-5 QB in football this year, and I am not sure this team has a major weakness right now. Sure, they are beating up on bad teams, but that's what any good team is supposed to do, so let's not overthink the Pats.
3. Denver Broncos (6-2)
The Denver Broncos have also won five games in a row after a shaky 1-2 start and were a perfect 4-0 in October. Historically, Sean Payton-coached teams play extremely well in October and November, so the Broncos might have another huge month in front of them. They've got a top-10 scoring offense and defense, and that is simply extremely hard to do in today's NFL. The Broncos are third in our AFC power rankings and are also seeing second-year QB Bo Nix make a leap.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-3)
The Kansas City Chiefs are hitting their stride and are honestly a better team than the 5-3 record might indicate, so they come in at no. 2 in our power rankings. The Chiefs beat the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football and are among the most well-rounded teams in the NFL. It feels like this team is again good enough to make a run to the Super Bowl.
1. Indianapolis Colts (7-1)
The best team in the AFC and NFL for that matter is the Indianapolis Colts. They stand alone with the best record in the NFL at 7-1, and this team does everything well. Daniel Jones has played his tail off, and Jonathan Taylor should be seen as an MVP candidate. The Colts are going to run away with the AFC South title and should be able to earn one of the top two seeds in the AFC playoffs.