Projecting the AFC 1 Month Out
We are about a month away from the NFL Playoffs, and with the way the Kansas City-Oakland game went last night, it really showed a lot about how the AFC will probably play out. Before the season, I had Kansas City as my AFC West winners, and although there is still three games left for them and Oakland (and four for Denver), I think that it is pretty safe to say that the Chiefs are the best in the AFC. I also stated that I believe that every team except the Browns had a chance for the playoffs, and teams like the Titans, Bills and Dolphins have proved me right by still being alive. Teams like the Jets and Bengals also showed us that anybody can fail in the crowded AFC, and both of them went from winners to losers in a year. So with that, here is what I am projecting one month out.
16) CLEVELAND BROWNS: This is obvious, they've had enough quarterbacks to form a basketball team, and they have no wins. They have four games against considerably better teams left, and 0-16 is a real possibility. Oh, and they didn't win in the preseason either, something some of you may not already know.
15) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: I did say that maybe next year was their year before the season, but now I don't really know when their time will be. This team has looked awful, and if it would have been anywhere near where the reporters spreading the hype thought, they would be winning this division. They are losing a division with a three way tie at 6-6.
14) NEW YORK JETS: I didn't really think the Jets were that good last year, and I know everybody loved Ryan Fitzpatrick last year, but the Jets still have their ongoing quarterback struggles since arguably Chad Pennington (or maybe even Joe Namath). I hope for their sake Christian Hackenberg is the answer, but the way this team looks, it will be a long road to success in New York.
13) HOUSTON TEXANS: This offense has really fallen apart, and I just don't see how this team will make the playoffs with all of the injuries on defense. The Brock Osweiler signing was a huge mistake, and a team that once looked like it could runaway with the division looks like an NFL version of a late-lottery team. I think the Titans and Colts will both finish either tied or ahead of Houston.
12) TENNESSEE TITANS: This team really isn't that good yet, but the defense is playing well under Dick Lebeau, and the offense and running game is clicking on all cylinders. Marcus Mariota is the answer the Tennessee faithful was looking for, and the duo of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry will be good for years to come. They just need more answers among the receivers and defense.
11) CINCINNATI BENGALS: Goodbye Marvin Lewis. I know it's a bit unfair, but he is among the longest tenured coaches in the NFL, and he has yet to win a playoff game. A few division titles doesn't cut it anymore, and this Bengals' team has massively underachieved this REGULAR season. This is my biggest misread by far in the AFC, as I had them winning it. -_-
10) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: The Chargers are looking good on a defense led by Joey Bosa, and the Melvin Gordon selection last season looks a lot better now. He has basically swapped positions with fellow first round draft pick Todd Gurley, and the Chargers could very easily have a much better record than it shows. Their only problem is they are in the AFC West.
9) MIAMI DOLPHINS: I don't know what to make of the Dolphins, but they had the look of a playoff team, until last week at Baltimore. They started 1-4, went 6-0, and then got smacked by the Ravens. This team has continuously poured in cash into the free agent market, for almost nothing to show for it. This will hold true again this season, as they will be on the outside looking in.
8) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: I'm going back to having the Colts win the division, as last year they were considered a Super Bowl front-runner before all of the drama, and have essentially the same team this year. Andrew Luck is playing great again, and the defense isn't quite so bad anymore. Erik Walden has eight sacks, and the foursome of Robert Mathis, Trent Cole, D'Qwell Jackson and Vontae Davis finally give the defense some firepower. They aren't winning a playoff game though.
7) BUFFALO BILLS: I realize that the Bills are currently 6-6, and may have had the craziest season in the NFL this year, but look at their remaining schedule. Three home games vs. Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Miami, and then a road game against the Jets to finish the year. If they beat Pittsburgh, they can run the table, while knocking Pittsburgh and Miami out in the process. They have the defense to do it.
6) DENVER BRONCOS: Denver has a tough schedule, they have Oakland, Kansas City, New England and the uprising Tennessee Titans left. Denver probably will go 9-7, but this is the defending Super Bowl champion. They have ability to win more than once, and if they do, watch out. These are three of the four best teams in football, and a red-hot Titans team.
5) PITTSBURGH STEELERS: I like the Steelers' schedule better than Denver's, but I also think the Raven's 4-0 division record at this point means Pittsburgh is a wild card team. Pittsburgh has the Buffalo Bills and the rest of the AFC North on the schedule, so it's not super tough. Plus, they still have one of the best offenses in football, with the trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown.
4) BALTIMORE RAVENS: They will finish with the same record, but the Ravens will beat the Bengals to end the season, giving them the edge in the divisional race. They likely will get to play Pittsburgh a third time, and the AFC North games are some of the most fun to watch. The rivalries between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Baltimore are intense, and I'm really looking forward to that possibility.
3) OAKLAND RAIDERS: It's unfortunate how much better Oakland is than the rest of these teams, and they will have to play a road game. It's only in the AFC South, but it's still not a home game. The Chiefs' season sweep of the Raiders forfeits the tiebreaker from the Raiders, and the fans in Oakland may never see a home game in the Bay Area again. This is still a team to watch out for in the playoffs, though.
2) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: New England has a pretty tough schedule to end the season, and due to them wrapping up the AFC East probably next week and a first round bye, they will likely rest their players some. Plus, no more Rob Gronkowski could hurt this team in the end. That's the only reasons why they are not number one.
1) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Sometimes writers deceive you with the cover photo by not having that team atop their power rankings, but I'm not doing that here. I was wrong about the Bengals being number one to begin the season, but I have a lot more evidence now, and the Chiefs have a softer schedule than the other teams. This team is beating you in many ways, and has some great defensive pieces. Losing Derrick Johnson hurts, but this team can survive that.
