AFC rankings

[Watkins101]

This is a thread largely for estimating what you think are the current rankings in the AFC. I realize this is still too early, buy hey what else do we have to do in these corona times?

 

I got

 

Chiefs- Super bowl winners with a mostly returning roster. Hard to put anyone ahead of them.

 

Ravens- Will Lamar repeat last year's performance? Unlikely that it will be quite as good, but the Ravens have a very solid roster, and were the #1 team in the AFC last year. 

 

Bills- I think the Bills Defense improved slightly, and the offense has the potential to bust open with Diggs added. Could rise more depending on Allen, but could also be worse if the offense doesn't improve

 

Titans- Will Tannehil repeat last year's performance over the course of a full season? Doubtful. However, I think the running game could keep him effective, and they have a strong defense.

 

Steelers- Solid roster overall, were missing a reliable QB last year. Does Big Ben have a good year left in him? To be seen, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Steelers in the 10-6/11-5 range 

 

Broncos- I think the Broncos may surprise some people. They were trending upwards by the end of the year, and may be moving back towards relevance.

 

Texans- I think losing Hopkins will be a big blow to their offense, and not having any firsts will not help. I may not be giving Watson enough credit here, but I think the Texans are going downhill from last season.

 

Pats*- The Pat's* still have a solid defense, and unless they start trading away players, I would be surprised to see them near the bottom. They still get to play the Jets and the Phins twice as well.

 

Browns- Do the browns finally put all this talent together into something useful? Let me see a competent Oline first. I'll believe the Brown's success when I see it.

 

Colts-  The colts have a solid roster, but I don't think Phillip Rivers is going to be overly successful at that age.

 

Raiders- I don't see anything better than 8-8 happening with this team. Nothing about it really impressed me.

 

Chargers-  Tyrod Taylor at Qb? I think we have seen enough to say that will never result in more than a single game playoff berth.

 

Dolphins- I think that Phish will improve this season... To third in the division. I doubt their FA spending spree makes them suddenly great... Or good. 

 

Jets- I expect Darnold to get torn apart behind that O line (or lack there of)

 

Jags- Do I even need to say anything here?

 

Bengals- I don't expect Joe Burrow to have enough help to do much with this team. 

 

Who do ya got?

 

 

 

 

Edited March 18, 2020 by Watkins101
Formatting

[MJS]

Wow. The AFC looks much weaker.

 

Here's my ranking:

 

1) Kansas City

2) Baltimore

3) Pittsburg (with Big Ben back)

4) Houston (They beat us in the playoffs. No way to say we are better than them yet)

5) Buffalo

6) Tennessee

7) Indianapolis

? New Jersey

9) Las Vegas

10) New England

11) Denver

12) Cleveland

13) LA Chargers

14) Miami

15) Jacksonville

16) Cincinnati

 

Edited March 18, 2020 by MJS

[MrEpsYtown]

I think us and Chiefs and Ravens are the teams to beat. I think Tannehill comes back to earth and Henry gets hurt. Always happens when a back gets paid. I think the Raiders are a bit of a sleeper. I really like the Mariota fit there and their defense is improved. 

[PromoTheRobot]

18 minutes ago, Watkins101 said:

This is a thread largely for estimating what you think are the current rankings in the AFC. I realize this is still too early, buy hey what else do we have to do in these corona times?

 

I got

 

Chiefs- Super bowl winners with a mostly returning roster. Hard to put anyone ahead of them.

 

Ravens- Will Lamar repeat last year's performance? Unlikely that it will be quite as good, but the Ravens have a very solid roster, and were the #1 team in the AFC last year. 

 

Bills- I think the Bills Defense improved slightly, and the offense has the potential to bust open with Diggs added. Could rise more depending on Allen, but could also be worse if the offense doesn't improve

 

Titans- Will Tannehil repeat last year's performance over the course of a full season? Doubtful. However, I think the running game could keep him effective, and they have a strong defense.

 

Steelers- Solid roster overall, were missing a reliable QB last year. Does Big Ben have a good year left in him? To be seen, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Steelers in the 10-6/11-5 range 

 

Broncos- I think the Broncos may surprise some people. They were trending upwards by the end of the year, and may be moving back towards relevance.

 

Texans- I think losing Hopkins will be a big blow to their offense, and not having any firsts will not help. I may not be giving Watson enough credit here, but I think the Texans are going downhill from last season.

 

Pats*- The Pat's* still have a solid defense, and unless they start trading away players, I would be surprised to see them near the bottom. They still get to play the Jets and the Phins twice as well.

 

Browns- Do the browns finally put all this talent together into something useful? Let me see a competent Oline first. I'll believe the Brown's success when I see it.

 

Colts-  The colts have a solid roster, but I don't think Phillip Rivers is going to be overly successful at that age.

 

Raiders- I don't see anything better than 8-8 happening with this team. Nothing about it really impressed me.

 

Chargers-  Tyrod Taylor at Qb? I think we have seen enough to say that will never result in more than a single game playoff berth.

 

Dolphins- I think that Phish will improve this season... To third in the division. I doubt their FA spending spree makes them suddenly great... Or good. 

 

Jets- I expect Darnold to get torn apart behind that O line (or lack there of)

 

Jags- Do I even need to say anything here?

 

Bengals- I don't expect Joe Burrow to have enough help to do much with this team. 

 

Who do ya got?

 

 

 

 

 

Pats too high. Dolphins too low. I think Miami is going to be really good.

[First Round Bust]

Miami is rebuilding very quickly with all that cap space and war chest of high draft picks and is well coached but Ftiz hits the wall when he goes against good D and if they draft rook qb like Tua or Herbert (sp) they could sneak into last spot as jets are slower rebuild and the pats not looking so good so far

[Franco_92]

I think Big Ben was set to have a horrific season last year BEFORE that injury. No chance he's not fried

[JimmyNoodles]

17 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

I think us and Chiefs and Ravens are the teams to beat. I think Tannehill comes back to earth and Henry gets hurt. Always happens when a back gets paid. I think the Raiders are a bit of a sleeper. I really like the Mariota fit there and their defense is improved. 

this

[thurst44]

2 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Pats too high. Dolphins too low. I think Miami is going to be really good.

Pats still have their top 3 defense mostly intact. Miami still has a ton of holes and the two offensive lineman they picked up are a guy who got run out of New York and then had half a solid season in Washington and a meh center from New England (whose weakest point has often been the o-line) and will be playing with Fitz and/or a rookie QB. I don't see it. Some of their moves have been good (love the Jones signing) and they have a ton of draft capital, but it's harder to get from 5 to 10 wins than from 0 to 5. 

[ganesh]

I would move the Jets way up...They had a 4-game win streak at the end including 7 of the last 9....people don't give credit for the Jets

[Watkins101]

6 minutes ago, ganesh said:

I would move the Jets way up...They had a 4-game win streak at the end including 7 of the last 9....people don't give credit for the Jets

Their Oline appears to have gotten even worse so far this off-season.

[Rico]

I've got the Ravens at #1, they may have lost in the playoffs but they were the best team in the league last year.

 

#2 with a bullet is the Bills.

[Radar]

Sometimes we look only at personnel which undoubtedly is very important but must also look at schedule. Bills had maybe the easiest schedule last season and this year looks much tougher. Could make equaling last year's wins tough.

[hjnick]

46 minutes ago, First Round Bust said:

Miami is rebuilding very quickly with all that cap space and war chest of high draft picks and is well coached but Ftiz hits the wall when he goes against good D and if they draft rook qb like Tua or Herbert (sp) they could sneak into last spot as jets are slower rebuild and the pats not looking so good so far

First Round Bust....   Ha, ha...   I see what you did there.

[SCBills]

16 minutes ago, ganesh said:

I would move the Jets way up...They had a 4-game win streak at the end including 7 of the last 9....people don't give credit for the Jets

 

I agree - The Jets will be solid with a healthy Moseley back, full year for Darnold and i'm sure they're going to do something more than just throw money at some mediocre-bad Offensive Lineman before FA ends.  Also have some nice picks to work with.

 

That being said....  The Pats will still be tough until I see with my own eyes that they aren't, the Dolphins are much improved and we have a Super Bowl level roster around Josh Allen.  Going to be tough sledding in the AFCE, along with playing the NFCW.

[FeelingOnYouboty]

12 minutes ago, Rico said:

I've got the Ravens at #1, they may have lost in the playoffs but they were the best team in the league last year.

 

#2 with a bullet is the Bills.

The Super Bowl champs?

[17islongenough]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

Wow. The AFC looks much weaker.

 

Here's my ranking:

 

1) Kansas City

2) Baltimore

3) Pittsburg (with Big Ben back)

4) Houston (They beat us in the playoffs. No way to say we are better than them yet)

5) Buffalo

6) Tennessee

7) Indianapolis

? New Jersey

9) Las Vegas

10) New England

11) Denver

12) Cleveland

13) LA Chargers

14) Miami

15) Jacksonville

16) Cincinnati

 

Yes Houston beat us in the playoffs but they just lost a top 3 WR. 

[Rico]

5 minutes ago, FeelingOnYouboty said:

The Super Bowl champs?

#3 I guess, now that the Pats are trending downward.

[FeelingOnYouboty]

I’d put us 4th behind Chiefs, Ravens and Titans. Giving the Titans a little bit more respect because they got to the AFC Championship game.

[BreezeMafia]

Chiefs
Ravens
Bills
Titans

Colts

Steelers

 

AFC not weak, AFC has become much stronger, at least in the top half of teams.

Edited March 18, 2020 by BillsinChesterSprings

[Magox]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

Wow. The AFC looks much weaker.

 

Here's my ranking:

 

1) Kansas City

2) Baltimore

3) Pittsburg (with Big Ben back)

4 ) Houston (They beat us in the playoffs. No way to say we are better than them yet)

5) Buffalo

6) Tennessee

7) Indianapolis

? New Jersey

9) Las Vegas

10) New England

11) Denver

12) Cleveland

13) LA Chargers

14) Miami

15) Jacksonville

16) Cincinnati

 

 

 

Sure there is.

 

First off we should have beaten them at their home. 

 

Secondly they lost their best player on the team, arguably a top 3 Receiver in the league.

 

Thirdly, we gained a top 10 WR.  

 

Put that all together and you can logically make the case that the Bills are the better team.

Edited March 18, 2020 by Magox

[JerseyBills]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

Wow. The AFC looks much weaker.

 

Here's my ranking:

 

1) Kansas City

2) Baltimore

3) Pittsburg (with Big Ben back)

4) Houston (They beat us in the playoffs. No way to say we are better than them yet)

5) Buffalo

6) Tennessee

7) Indianapolis

? New Jersey

9) Las Vegas

10) New England

11) Denver

12) Cleveland

13) LA Chargers

14) Miami

15) Jacksonville

16) Cincinnati

 

Hou???

So if that's the logic, shouldn't Tenn be ahead of BAL?

[berg1029]

Tier 1 (will make the playoffs): 

Chiefs, Ravens

 

Tier 2 (should make the playoffs): 

Titans, Bills

 

Tier 3 (will compete for playoffs): 

Texans, Steelers, Colts, Pats

 

Tier 4 (could be competitive in playoff hunt):

Raiders, Browns, Jets, Chargers, Broncos

 

Tier 5 (won't compete for playoffs): 

Dolphins, Bengals, Jacksonville

 

criticize away!

[TheBrownBear]

Chiefs

.

Bills / Ravens

.

Titans

.

.

Texans

.

Steelers

.

Colts/Pats

[MJS]

46 minutes ago, 17islongenough said:

Yes Houston beat us in the playoffs but they just lost a top 3 WR. 

And we'll see how that affects them.

33 minutes ago, Magox said:

Sure there is.

 

First off we should have beaten them at their home. 

 

Secondly they lost their best player on the team, arguably a top 3 Receiver in the league.

 

Thirdly, we gained a top 10 WR.  

 

Put that all together and you can logically make the case that the Bills are the better team.

 

I have to see strides with the offense and Josh Allen before I can get behind that. Houston won a playoff game, the Bills did not. When we start winning playoff games I'll view is as a top 3 or 4 AFC team.

31 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

Hou???

So if that's the logic, shouldn't Tenn be ahead of BAL?

Nope. Tennessee is an average team that overachieved last year and will regress back to an average team.

[947]

Raiders have two 1st rounders, and one of them will be Lamb/Ruggs/Jeudy. They've made some decent FA pick-ups too, can't sleep on them.

[PromoTheRobot]

1 hour ago, ganesh said:

I would move the Jets way up...They had a 4-game win streak at the end including 7 of the last 9....people don't give credit for the Jets

 

Okay, Manish.

[JerseyBills]

29 minutes ago, MJS said:

And we'll see how that affects them.

 

I have to see strides with the offense and Josh Allen before I can get behind that. Houston won a playoff game, the Bills did not. When we start winning playoff games I'll view is as a top 3 or 4 AFC team.

Nope. Tennessee is an average team that overachieved last year and will regress back to an average team.

Oh , okay.. I believe you..

 

?

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

2 hours ago, MJS said:

Wow. The AFC looks much weaker.

 

Here's my ranking:

 

1) Kansas City

2) Baltimore

3) Pittsburg (with Big Ben back)

4) Houston (They beat us in the playoffs. No way to say we are better than them yet)

5) Buffalo

6) Tennessee

7) Indianapolis

? New Jersey

9) Las Vegas

10) New England

11) Denver

12) Cleveland

13) LA Chargers

14) Miami

15) Jacksonville

16) Cincinnati

 

What do we have to do to get higher than #5? This is supposed to be the year.

[Chicken Boo]

I thi k theres a decent sized gap between the Chiefs and everyone else. 

 

Next I'd have Baltimore at 2 - then Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Cleveland & Tennessee together, until I see different on the field.

[MJS]

1 hour ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

What do we have to do to get higher than #5? This is supposed to be the year.

A playoff win.

1 hour ago, Chicken Boo said:

I thi k theres a decent sized gap between the Chiefs and everyone else. 

 

Next I'd have Baltimore at 2 - then Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Indianapolis, Cleveland & Tennessee together, until I see different on the field.

Why Cleveland?

3 hours ago, ganesh said:

I would move the Jets way up...They had a 4-game win streak at the end including 7 of the last 9....people don't give credit for the Jets

I agree. They are an 8-8 to 9-7 team, I think. At least middle of the pack.

[Kirby Jackson]

1) Kansas City

2) Baltimore

3) Buffalo

4) Pittsburgh

5) Cleveland

6) Tennessee

7) Indianapolis

8 ) Houston

9) New England

10) New York

11) LA Chargers

12) Miami

13) Las Vegas

14) Denver

15) Cincinnati 

16) Jacksonville

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

4 hours ago, ganesh said:

I would move the Jets way up...They had a 4-game win streak at the end including 7 of the last 9....people don't give credit for the Jets

Not true, they also won a dog ***** game over the Bills in week 17, got blown out by the good teams they played, lost 22-6 to Bengals and beat a couple dumpster fire teams as bad as them. So yeah put them right between the Chiefs and Ravens.smdh

Edited March 18, 2020 by D. L. Hot-Flamethrower

[Watkins101]

10 minutes ago, MJS said:

A playoff win.

Why Cleveland?

I think that we are ahead of Houston now. We lost in Overtime at their place to them in the playoffs-indicates that we were on a similar level last year, with a slight edge to Houston. But that was last year.

 

 I would argue that over this off-season, the Bills got better this off-season so far, while the Texans got worse. The Bill's offense retained all 11 starters, and upgraded 1Wr, 2Wr, and 3Wr. (Diggs pushes John Brown and Beasley to 2 and 3.) On defense, the bills kept the safety's the same, CB1 and CB 2a the same, while getting a potential new 2b (could be upgrade or downgrade) kept 2 Lbs the same, and I believe had a lateral move for their third. I think we gained 3 solid Dline pieces, and lost 2. I think that's an overall positive. We also added quality special teams coverage pieces.

 

I will confess that I do not know the Texans well enough to disect their off-season to this point thoroughly, but I do believe losing Hopkins will have severe negative implications for their roster. Look at the difference in their offense with and without Will Fuller. That was a 2 Wr. Now they lost their top 3 in the NFL 1 Wr. With Will Fuller's injury history, I think their offense will take a hit. 

 

I realize we will have to wait for the season to play out, but I do believe we have surpassed the Texans to this point in the off-season. 

 

Also, if we need a playoff win to be better than #5 in the AFC, how did the Ravens get to #2 ? 

[MJS]

8 minutes ago, Watkins101 said:

I think that we are ahead of Houston now. We lost in Overtime at their place to them in the playoffs-indicates that we were on a similar level last year, with a slight edge to Houston. But that was last year.

 

 I would argue that over this off-season, the Bills got better this off-season so far, while the Texans got worse. The Bill's offense retained all 11 starters, and upgraded 1Wr, 2Wr, and 3Wr. (Diggs pushes John Brown and Beasley to 2 and 3.) On defense, the bills kept the safety's the same, CB1 and CB 2a the same, while getting a potential new 2b (could be upgrade or downgrade) kept 2 Lbs the same, and I believe had a lateral move for their third. I think we gained 3 solid Dline pieces, and lost 2. I think that's an overall positive. We also added quality special teams coverage pieces.

 

I will confess that I do not know the Texans well enough to disect their off-season to this point thoroughly, but I do believe losing Hopkins will have severe negative implications for their roster. Look at the difference in their offense with and without Will Fuller. That was a 2 Wr. Now they lost their top 3 in the NFL 1 Wr. With Will Fuller's injury history, I think their offense will take a hit. 

 

I realize we will have to wait for the season to play out, but I do believe we have surpassed the Texans to this point in the off-season. 

 

Also, if we need a playoff win to be better than #5 in the AFC, how did the Ravens get to #2 ? 

The Ravens had an amazing regular season and showed they have an explosive offense and a top defense as well. Getting a bye week is almost like winning a playoff game.

 

I don't think every team needs a playoff win to be top 3 or 4, but I do believe the Bills do because of our recent history of losing and the fact we haven't won the division or won a playoff game in forever.

 

But I don't want people to think I'm down on our team. I believe we'll win 10+ games again this season, make the playoffs, win the division, and win a playoff game. I just want to see them do it first.

[Pete]

KC, Baltimore, Buffalo Bills- top 3, not necessarily in that order

[DCOrange]

Colored to separate different tiers

1. Baltimore
2. Kansas City
3. Buffalo
4. New England
5. Pittsburgh
6. Tennessee
7. Indianapolis
8. LA Chargers
9. Cleveland
10. Houston
11. Cincinnati
12. Las Vegas
13. Denver
14. Miami
15. NY Jets
16. Jacksonville

[LABILLBACKER]

6 hours ago, MJS said:

Wow. The AFC looks much weaker.

 

Here's my ranking:

 

1) Kansas City

2) Baltimore

3) Pittsburg (with Big Ben back)

4) Houston (They beat us in the playoffs. No way to say we are better than them yet)

5) Buffalo

6) Tennessee

7) Indianapolis

? New Jersey

9) Las Vegas

10) New England

11) Denver

12) Cleveland

13) LA Chargers

14) Miami

15) Jacksonville

16) Cincinnati

 

Vegas has us the 4th best odds of winning the AFC. I'd rank it:

1. KC

2. Baltimore 

3. Pittsburgh 

4. Buffalo 

[Locomark]

5 hours ago, thurst44 said:

Pats still have their top 3 defense mostly intact. Miami still has a ton of holes and the two offensive lineman they picked up are a guy who got run out of New York and then had half a solid season in Washington and a meh center from New England (whose weakest point has often been the o-line) and will be playing with Fitz and/or a rookie QB. I don't see it. Some of their moves have been good (love the Jones signing) and they have a ton of draft capital, but it's harder to get from 5 to 10 wins than from 0 to 5. 

What ? Pats have lost 3 D starters to Free Agency....DL Shelton  LB Van Noy  LB Collins. Those guys meant much more to that team than the 2 rotational guys we lost. Especially Van Noy

[The Fiend]

6 hours ago, MJS said:

 

3) Pittsburg (with Big Ben back)

4) Houston (They beat us in the playoffs. No way to say we are better than them yet)

5) Buffalo

 

 

But...on that same token, we beat Pittsburgh last year, so how can you rank them better than us??

Edited March 18, 2020 by The Fiend

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

A playoff win.

Why Cleveland?

I agree. They are an 8-8 to 9-7 team, I think. At least middle of the pack.

So your rankings for where teams will be going forward is based on historical playoff wins? ?