AFC Third Quarter Rankings

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3/4 AFC Rankings

 

I have done this at the ¼ mark, ½ mark, and now finally the ¾ rankings of AFC teams. The separation is pretty set now and honestly the AFC is a fun whacky stressful jumbled mess. There are 6-7 teams who could win the conference, but every single one has a flaw or two so while they are formidable they are not terrifying the way the Chiefs/Bills/Ravens have been for 7-8 years now.

For the final time this season lets do this, agree, debate, get mad because its cold out, etc.. lets rumble:

 

Two Very Very Good Quality Teams That A But...

New England Patriots- Drake Maye makes me believe in this team more then anything else, but the talent around him is not great, injuries have started, and what happens come playoff time when the schedule is not cupcakes.

 

Denver Broncos- The defense is truly great and the offense is good with moments of greatness. The big question is how much you believe in Bo Nix. He has had some moments of greatness and the 4th quarter he certainly comes alive. At the same time he has had turnovers in 7 of their 13 games, he has a QB rating of just 86 which in todays NFL is pretty shaky with only two games above 100, and he can be quite shaky if you get pressure to him.

 

Their Defense is the 2nd Coming Of Genghis Khan’s Army

Houston Texans- Having seen the Texans against us and quite a few other teams all I can say is wow. That defense hits to hurt which is refreshing as long as it is NOT your team haha. The offense can do enough and Stroud is solid enough to be a problem. But that defense is the type that you can ride for a run and you need to get up early on and by a bunch so they can not play rope a dope. The Jaguars may win the division, but Houston is the team I have no interest playing.

 

If The Bills Don’t Make the SB Brandon Beane Will Have All of WNY on His Front Step

Buffalo Bills- The defense can do enough at this point to maintain given injuries and the overall situation. The big haunting question could be “What if the Bills had gotten a WR at any point between March and the Trade Deadline” if they can’t make a run. This team isn’t perfect but they can do more then enough, will it last when it matters. Like every year they seem to be coming together enough at the end (credit to McD) and Josh is doing his superman thing. Not sure they will ever get a playoff field that most likely is out Burrow, Mahomes, & possibly Lamar again so if there is a time it is now even with a mish mosh roster.

 

The AFC North.. … … ? … W T F

Pittsburgh Steelers- At this point for purely entertainment reasons the Steelers making it in with Rodgers would be great. This really is not a good football team, but seeing them block the Ravens would be hysterical and they have the edge at this point.

 

Baltimore Ravens- As a Bills fan all I can do is laugh. The hubris from the media and this team themselves in the offseason was historically off the charts. People were ready to crown them champs before a game was played. Now they look closer to needing to reset parts of the roster and the critics of Lamar have more ammunition if they miss the playoffs again this year.

 

Cincinnati Bengals- I am only including them because there is a world they somehow win the AFC North at 8-9. The roster mismanagement hit a new high as Hendrickson is now out for the year who they could’ve/should’ve traded for picks to help reset. If Burrow is ever healthy again for 17 games they are a playoff team and a dangerous one. But with every passing year it gets harder to really buy his health or their true potential in general as a team. Cincy man ugh

 

Playoff Teams

Jacksonville Jaguars- The offense is statistically middle of the road (17th total yards per game) while the defense close to top 10 overall (10th yards allowed per game) and they have benefited with being +8 in turnover differential. They are playing very good complementary football, Trevor Lawrence has looked decent to good a lot, and Travis Etienne is having a great year. So while they may not be world beaters this is a solid team that people will probably count out until the playoffs come and they have the lead in the 4th quarter wildcard weekend.  

 

Los Angeles Chargers- Simple as this. What will Herbert do this January and can he elevate to the top of the league in QBs as the post season is where names are made. The roster has injuries like every year but there is certainly talent and good coaching, but the NFL made by QBs and in the regular season Herbert’s numbers are there. Can he/they finally win something here? (division, playoff game, run to AFC title?)

 

Midnight Is Finally Almost Here

Kansas City Chiefs- I am sure there are plenty of Chief fans who would trade some of last years luck and a 13-4 record so the team is 8-5 right now. Everyone said they over performed and the lineup is more shaky then people wanted to admit and now it all has come to roost at once as everything has broke against them right down to luck. Even if they make the playoffs this is not the team people feared for a decade and you wonder how much the Eagles broke this teams aura last SB.

 

I Feel Bad For Their Fans

Indianapolis Colts- I have a hard time sympathizing with fans who had two decades plus of great QB play, won a SB and went to another… but I feel for Colts fans. Going from 8-1 with the 1 seed with your team looking fun and spunky to 8-5, starting QB gone for the year, out two 1st round picks, and possibly not winning another game is beyond rough. Even the Bills drought didn’t give us a season of the high of hope for that long for only the end result to be no playoffs. Maybe Rivers does return and it is some Cinderella magic to keep them in, but I just can’t see it.

 

Wilder Sh*t Has Happened

Miami Dolphins-  The Phins can absolutely make the playoffs if they win out… I don’t see it happening but given how they started that feels like progress. In fact had they not blown the week 2 game against NE or games against Carolina or the Chargers they could be the 7th seed. Still it feels like a classic Dolphins Tua/McDaniel thing to win the next to and be 8-7 before blowing the last two when the door is open.

 

Their Offseason will be Fascinating

Cleveland Browns- Sheuder Sanders had a great game Sunday despite the loss and has shown enough to get a look at the one spot next year. Still Cleveland has two 1st along with five other picks in rounds 2-5. If they like a guy in round 1 do they make a move regardless of Sanders? That defense is superb, if they ever figure out the offense specifically QB.

 

Soooo What Is The Plan

Oakland sorry Vegas Raiders- Ever since Gruden left this team has been listing aimlessly for a while. I got the hype some saw in the Raiders with Geno going to Carroll who he was good with in Seattle, but the talent on the rest of the roster is porous as heck. They feel closer to another lost season in 2026 before major overhaul in 2027 with a new Coach and GM then making any progress in 2026.

 

On To The 2026 Draft

Tennessee Titans- Cam Wards future will be determined by who the next coach is and how much talent they can get on the O-line along with some young pass catchers. In a way I can see a 2017 esq Rams thing here with a talented passer who has a roster that needs talent and poor coaching so no one really knows what the upside is. But soo much depends on what is done roster wise in the offseason AND who the coach is.

 

On To The 2027 Draft … They Have A Little Lions To Them Though

New York Jets- Aaron Glenn had a brutal start but they have now won three of their last six and been spunky in those games. This team needs skill and talent in many spots including pass catcher, but Breece Hall is quietly having a good year and Mason Taylor at TE looks like he could be a solid starter for them. Like Campbell’s Lions year 1, it hasn’t been pretty BUT if they actually stick to a plan and let it truly have time to come together without ownership meddling they could be a tough opponent every week next year.