AFC Power Rankings Nine Weeks Into the Season

Nine Weeks into the 2023 season and the playoff picture is starting to take shape. Here's where every AFC team fits heading into Week 10

As the NFL season creeps into mid-November this is the time of year the contenders start to separate themselves from the pretenders. The Bengals are creeping their way up the AFC Power Rankings with another big win over Buffalo. Speaking of Buffalo are they still a contender? Can Pittsburgh keep winning games ugly? Let's dive right in and see where each team lands in this week's AFC Power Rankings.

16. New England Patriots (2-7)

Speculation is swirling that if New England doesn't get a win in Germany on Sunday morning Bill Belichick will find himself looking for a job. Things are as bad as it gets in New England.

15. Tennessee Titans (3-5)

The AFC is so deep that I truly debated who fits this spot. Out of all the teams that could fit here, I think that Tennessee is the right selection. They stubbed their toe in Pittsburgh this past weekend and need to get right behind Will Levis.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 :: © Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

14. New York Jets (4-4)

Stop me if you have heard this before, New York is a quarterback away from having a Super Bowl caliber team. The defense is in the upper echelon of the NFL but they lack so much on offense. A total non-factor, even if Aaron Rodgers defies science and is back in 6 weeks.

13. Las Vegas Raiders (3-5)

New life in Vegas! The Raiders sent former coach Josh McDaniels packing and immediately stomped a struggling New York Giants team. They seem bought into Antonio Pierce for the rest of the season. We'll see if they regret not taking more calls on Devante Adams.

12. Indianapolis Colts (4-5)

Indianapolis is so close to being in the playoff picture but they feel so far away at the same time. They took care of business against a mediocre Carolina team and notched a fourth win in Week 9.

11. Denver Broncos (3-5)

When you beat the Chiefs you get a bump in the rankings. Coming off of a bye week in Week 9, the Broncos can continue to improve their slot. Also, Russell Wilson is playing good football whether you want to believe it or not.

10. Buffalo Bills (5-4)

Uhh oh. Buffalo has fallen. Something is broken in Western New York and the Bills had better figure it out quickly. Coming off of a loss to Cincinnati, their schedule doesn't get any kinder come December. They need wins to keep pace in the AFC playoff picture.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)

Pittsburgh continues to be an incredible story. They have been outgained both through the air and on the ground in every single game this season and somehow they're two games above .500. TJ Watt and this defense refuse to let this team lose and they remain in the playoff picture.

8. Houston Texans (4-4)

Believe the hype. CJ Stroud is playing incredible football and totally looks like he is next up in this league. Could the Texans make a playoff push? We will see down the home stretch.

7. Los Angeles Chargers (4-4)

Justin Herbert is battling through injury, this team is tough and resilient and Los Angeles finds itself in the thick of it in mid-November.

6. Miami Dolphins (6-3)

Is this a hot take? Feels like it might be with all of the hype surrounding this Miami team but after losing to yet another team with a winning record, it feels like the reality. The Dolphins are 0-3 against those winning teams by the way.

5. Cleveland Browns (5-3)

The Browns will go as Dehsaun Watson goes. If he can play the way he did this past Sunday, particularly in the second half, the Browns will be very relevant come January. A major litmus test awaits this week in Baltimore.

Sep 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) runs with the ball during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

4. Cincinnati Bengals (5-3)

Joe Burrow and this Cincinnati offense are all the way back. Impossible to count this team out down the stretch of the regular season.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)

As long as 15 is healthy and on the field, Kansas City will be a tough team to beat. However, with a loss two weeks ago against Denver and a sluggish game in Germany against Miami, they have shown a couple of chinks in their armor.

2. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)

The Ravens certainly look the part. Their defense is elite and Lamar Jackson is playing up to his MVP form. This is going to be a tough team to beat and they have a chance to cement themselves atop the AFC North this week against Cleveland.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)

Jacksonville stand up! You have the hottest team in the AFC and the hottest team in football. Doug Pederson has this team rolling and look out if you're standing on the tracks.

After nine weeks, this is where we're at with the AFC Power Rankings. We will see what week 10 has in store.