AFC Rankings At This Moment September Edition

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I have enjoyed doing this on a monthly basis so nearing the end of September and look at kind of best case worst case, I will get to the NFC later this week. Agree, disagree, tell me I am completely wrong lets do this:

 

AFC Title Rematch Incoming

Buffalo- The last time they went 3-0 out of the gate they went to the AFC title. 17 is playing the best he ever has, the youth is taking a strong step, and the coaching has been a revelation. There will be obstacles and up & downs throughout, but this team seems to have a vibe that maybe it is their time to take a shot at the title from KC.

Kansas City- They have not looked great in any of the games this year, injuries have mounted, and they have had some fortune go their way. Still until they lose in the playoffs they are the immovable object for everyone else and Mahomes never goes away. 3-0 without playing your best ball is scary for everyone else and their schedule is relatively light especially after knocking out CIN and BAL already.

 

Hype Is High, Results Are Ok, But Remains To Be Seen Where They Go

New York- Two and one feels about right as the offense seems to be finding its way and Rodgers is looking more comfortable. Their defense though has some tough injuries and the depth up front is not what it was. With CIN 0-3, MIA 1-2 and Tualess they should walk into the playoffs at this point, but the path might be bumpier then many thought. Also why does Nate Hackett keep getting jobs?

Houston- The CJ Stroud hype train slowed down after Flores threw everything including the kitchen sink at him with no answer by Stroud. Houston will win this division because it is trash otherwise and the talent is certainly on the roster. BUT their is a reason Mahomes/Allen/Jackson/Burrow have been held to a certain level the last bunch of years and Stroud needs to take another step if he truly is going into their atmosphere.

 

Future Looks Interesting And One of Them Will Take A Playoff Spot From Someone (CIN/BAL) You Expected In

Pittsburgh- Fields has taken a true step and their offense is actually watchable. He may never be the all pro many hoped, but he is providing solid play and growing which mixed with that defense is a real issue for most of their opponents. It is a long season but Pittsburgh has built a nice cushion to work from and the division could be theirs if all goes well.

Los Angeles Bolt People- The talent is in a reset and Alt being out hurts, but good coaching does wonders. Their schedule is relatively light this year and with expected contenders like CIN, BAL, & MIA all having issues (JAC out of the picture) their is a decent path available if they can hold serve.

 

0-3 Is A Tough Hole For Anyone & The Directions For Both Teams Are Very Murky

Cincy- This has felt like the last dance for this CIN group as with big contracts to pay 2025 will see major change. Unfortunately for Bengal fans the losses on defense in the offseason haven't been filled and even with Burrow playing far better going 10-4 the remainder of the way with only 6 home games left is a tough ask in this division. The loss to NE week 1 has removed any remaining room for error at this point.

Jacksonville- I think most football fans wanted/hoped to see Trevor Lawrence blossom further as he is a fun player to watch, but this year has shown regression instead. Time is running out and requires a real soul searching effort across the roster to right this ship back to float otherwise coach and maybe even QB could see their days numbered.

 

The QB Is Sinking These Teams For Different Reasons

Cleveland- The remainder of the roster is solid but Watson is sinking any chance this team has and the capable backup they have (who probably is better at this point) isn't getting the call which feels like a mistake the longer the season goes. I have said the Browns last year got all the breaks and this year was market correction, it could get real bad by December in Believeland.

Miami- Year 3 and pre Tua injury it already looked like the magic McDaniel had might have been getting low as it was. Without Tua they go from playoff hopeful to a team that very possibly is drafting top 10. Tua will never be a top 5 QB, but he is solid and Miami is learning how frail their lineup is without him and that McDaniel might not be as good of a coach as thought prior.

 

AFC South QBs 

Indy- Richardson is soo erratic but also makes 2-3 plays weekly that are highlight real stuff to watch like his 78 yard TD vs Houston. Playoffs are probably a no given his up & down nature plus their defense being so beat up, but perhaps Richardson can take a step and gain some consistency to even out his game. If so next year could be really interesting in IND.

Tennessee- Will Levis experience is Josh Allen in 2018-19 on red bull x 5. He successfully cost them weeks 1 & 2 and last week was not very good. But the talent is real if he can ever get the wildness reigned in, the Ridley TD week 2 vs NYJ was gorgeous. The rest of the team is whatever, pretty much everything rides on whether Levis can find control and consistency for how things pan out short and long term.

 

No One Knows What Their Plan Is Or Goal This Year/Long Term Chan Gailey Drought Bills

Las Vegas- The roster has some legit talent on it, but realistically they are bottom 3rd in the AFC with no true solution at QB while playing for a coach who keeps their team around to not be bad enough to draft high. They will be 5-7 come December in the hunt before finishing 5-12/6-11 and wasting another year with no real plan.

 

Breaking In New QBs, It Is All About Growth

New England- Mayo started off hot and has his team playing hard, but realistically it will be a long year. Once Maye is in their season will be judged off how he grows or doesn't.

Denver- Nix had a very good game week 3 and DEN fans should just hope the growth arrow continues to point further up as the season goes. Their defense is not bad, but the overall roster needs another offseason to infuse talent while Nix finds his way this year.