10. New York Jets, 1-2
The New York Jets have put up some solid fights thus far. While they are losers of two games in a row, the Jets took the Green Bay Packers into overtime, and also hung with the Detroit Lions at their house.
Now, yes, both Green Bay and Detroit just aren't great teams, but the Jets do genuinely feel considerably better this year than they were at any point last year. Some of that might be Geno Smith. He's probably a top-20 player at the position at best, but he's clearly not incompetent right now.
He has now been on three teams in as many years, and that's the case for a reason, but the Jets simply aren't a massive embarrassment this year. They won't make the playoffs and might only win six or seven games, but this year should represent a sizeable step forward in this new era of football.
9. Cleveland Browns, 2-1
The Cleveland Browns have won two games in a row!
The Browns have one two games in a row???
This team has shattered expectations thus far, and while they have only beaten two bad teams in Tampa Bay and Carolina, winning is winning. What might be even more impressive here is that Deshaun Watson is actually playing some decent football so far.
We're still very early in the season, and a lot can change, but I don't see how you can't be somewhat optimistic thus far. There is a lot of newness with this team, specificially with the coaching staff and the remade offensive line, but things are coming together.
We aren't going to get carried away and rank the Browns super high or anything, but this team deserves some credit. They have a modest No. 9 ranking in our updated AFC rankings. Good for the Browns (for now).
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