New England Patriots

AFC Power Rankings Week 7: New England Patriots hop up to No. 1

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Martellus Bennett (88) and the Patriots lead the AFC at 5-1. Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to your weekly dose of AFC power rankings, where we focus on putting only the AFC picture in perspective.

Cleveland Browns

(0-6)

Last week: (0-5)Last rank: 16th

It’s official: the Browns are off to their worst start since the 1999 season when they went 0-7 in their first season back in the league. It was too little, too late for the Browns in Week 6 despite strong play from Terrelle Pryor and Cody Kessler. The main hindrance was the utter and complete lack of any semblance of a ground game; Cleveland running backs totalled just 34 yards against the Titans. Now, the Browns must hit the road and play a very angry Bengals team in Week 7. 15

New York Jets

(1-4)

Last week: (1-4)Last rank: 13th

The pressure is on the Jets tonight, that’s for sure. Every other team in the AFC East emerged victorious from yesterday’s action, meaning that if the 1-4 Jets lose tonight, their playoff chances diminish to an eyelash. This writer has the Arizona Cardinals defense occupying a hail mary role on his fantasy team, so hopefully Ryan Fitzpatrick dishes out a few pick sixes to that ball hawking secondary. Check back tomorrow morning here on Musket Fire for an updated AFC power rankings after the result of this game.Next: 14. Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck (12) of the Colts. Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts

(2-4)

Last week: (2-3)Last rank: 11th

The wounds from the Colts’ excruciating Week 6 loss to a divisional rival will not go away anytime soon. That’s the kind of heartbreaking defeat that could doom the Colts’ spirits for the next few weeks. Without a doubt, Chuck Pagano is in some hot water now that the Colts have dropped four of their last five divisional games. A Week 7 date in Tennessee marks an absolute must-win for the horseshoe helmets.
13

Cincinnati Bengals

(2-4)

Last week: (2-3)Last rank: 9th

We’re used to the Bengals rocketing out of the gate and fading late in the year; this time around, it’s the opposite, except we don’t know if the Bengals will be able to pull out of this rough patch. If it’s any consolation to Bengals fans, the other three teams in the AFC North all lost in Week 6, so the situation didn’t get much worse, it just didn’t get better. This is a very frustrated, very anger team. Next: 12. Baltimore Ravens

Mike Wallace (17) of the Ravens. Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens

(3-3)

Last week: (3-2)Last rank: 6th

The Ravens fell victim to Odell Beckham Jr.’s explosion in Week 6; 222 of the 407 passing yards allowed by the purple birds came by way of OBJ. On the other side of the ball, the Ravens weren’t able to capitalize on three Giants turnovers, and that really came back to bite them in this one-possession game. After a 3-0 start, the Ravens have dropped three straight and will look to correct their path on the road against the Jets in Week 7.11

Tennessee Titans

(3-3)

Last week: (2-3)Last rank: 12th

There were a ton of jaw-dropping plays by wide receivers in Week 6, but Kendall Wright takes the award for best catch. He absolutely laid it on the line by leaping and extending for that 48-yard touchdown grab, and it epitomized the spirit of this scrappy Titans team right now. In six games, the Titans have already matched their 2015 win total, and they have a huge opportunity to build on that early success next week at home against divisional rival Indianapolis.Next: 10. Miami Dolphins

Jay Ajayi (23) of the Dolphins. Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Dolphins

(2-4)

Last week: (1-4)Last rank: 15th

204 yards and two touchdowns out of Jay Ajayi boosted the Dolphins to an upset win over the Steelers in Week 6, a result which yanks the Dolphins up these AFC power rankings a few pegs. Ajayi possesses a scary blend of power and speed, both of which were on full display when the Boise State product broke free for a 62-yard score. Expect a hotly contested, defense-dominated AFC East showdown next week when the Dolphins host the streaking Bills.
9

San Diego Chargers

(2-4)

Last week: (1-4)Last rank: 14th

Those were some awesome color rush uniforms the Chargers were wearing on Thursday Night Football. They certainly elevated the play of Josh Lambo, whose four field goals were instrumental in the Chargers’ unseating of the Broncos. However, the going only gets tougher next week against a hot Falcons team that is riding the Julio Jones train to NFC domination. A second consecutive upset win would launch the Chargers up these AFC power rankings.Next: 8. Jacksonville Jaguars

Allen Robinson (15) of the Jaguars. Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars

(2-3)

Last week: (1-3)Last rank: 8th

It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but the Jags gutted out a big road win, indicating how much this team is progressing before our eyes in 2016. Blake Bortles overcame a first quarter red zone interception to lead the Jaguars to a fourth quarter comeback to keep this team in the AFC South race. Next up is a big test at home against a Raiders team that is grumpy after getting spanked by the Chiefs in Week 6.7

Oakland Raiders

(4-2)

Last week: (4-1)Last rank: 4th

Ah, what a golden opportunity the Raiders had to take the AFC West by the horns in Week 6. But alas, Derek Carr had a substandard outing, committing two turnovers, and the Raiders’ receiving corps outside of Amari Cooper was asleep all afternoon. The Raiders will have to maintain mental strength next week to avoid falling victim to a trap game on the road in Jacksonville against an up-and-at-it Jaguars team. It will be a great matchup between perennial cellar-dwellers who are on the rise in 2016 led by promising young quarterbacks.Next: 6. Kansas City Chiefs

Spencer Ware (32) of the Chiefs. Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs

(3-2)

Last week: (2-2)Last rank: 10th

The Chiefs asserted themselves after the bye week by controlling the pace of action against the Raiders on Sunday. Alex Smith methodically led his team to victory by spreading the ball around; seven Chiefs pass catchers caught at least two balls in Week 6. And it always helps when Marcus Peters is on your team; the sophomore pro is going to flirt with double digit interceptions this season. 5

Denver Broncos

(4-2)

Last week: (4-1)Last rank: 3rd

First off, the Broncos were sporting some pretty sweet color rush uniforms on Thursday NIght Football. They paid homage to the Broncos’ John Elway-era duds, certainly better than their current look. But the appearance of the Broncos didn’t keep them from losing two fumbles and falling to the Chargers in Week 6. To rise in these AFC power rankings, the Broncos will have to hold onto the ball better on Monday Night Football next week against their former quarterback, Brock Osweiler and the Texans.Next: 4. Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin and the Steelers fell in the AFC power rankings this week. Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans

(4-2)

Last week: (3-2)Last rank: 7th

Brock Osweiler officially won over the hearts of Texans fans with his heroism on Sunday Night Football. His 36-yard placement pass right into the hands of a streaking Jaelen Strong will be the most-played video in the Houston area this Monday morning, and with good reason; Osweiler and Strong, along with DeAndre Hopkins of course, represent the present and the future for the Texans. Now, it’s up to Osweiler to keep the magic alive on Monday Night Football next week against his former Broncos teammates.Next: 2. Buffalo Bills

LeSean McCoy (25) of the Bills. Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills

(4-2)

Last week: (3-2)Last rank: 5th

The Bills vault into the elite of the AFC as a result of the hurting they put on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. LeSean McCoy was his usual elusive self, dancing and darting to 140 yards and a hat trick of touchdowns on the ground (the Bills pumped out 312 total rushing yards). Additionally, Bills fans have to like the 100 percent red zone efficiency yesterday afternoon. But Rex Ryan’s squad cannot underestimate the Dolphins next week; a win would catapult the Bills into the frontrunning for the AFC Wild Card race.1

New England Patriots

(5-1)

Last week: (4-1)Last rank: 2nd

This writer admits that he expected a fair amount of rust out of Tom Brady after missing the first quarter of the regular season. But that hasn’t been the case by any means, as Brady has been the best quarterback in the league over the past two weeks with a stat line of 782 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. The potent offense, stiff defense and edge the Patriots are playing with (see Rob Gronkowski’s smack talk) are why the Patriots have the best record in the AFC, and why they rest above the pack in these AFC power rankings.