It’s obvious what two teams are the best squads in the AFC. Rank them how you want to, but it’s the Patriots and Chiefs and then there’s a bit of a drop-off. Actually, there’s a huge drop-off. It’s tough to even figure out which team is the third-best team in the AFC. The Steelers were mentioned by some people before the season started, but then they lost Ben Roethlisberger as well as their first three games. The problem is no team has stepped up to even threaten Kansas City or New England. Here are the possible contenders:
Houston Texans
The Texans are an obvious choice. They are a playoff team as long as Deshaun Watson is healthy. They’ve been there before. They have a talented offense — outside of their offensive line — and a defense with a bunch of big names. Bill O’Brien may have his critics but he’s won while he’s been in Houston.
The problem is that the Texans haven’t blown anyone out. They could theoretically be 1-3 right now if Doug Marrone just let Gardner Minshew throw the ball on a two-point conversion. They just haven’t looked great all year. Houston plays to the level of its competition.
The Texans may round into form, but they are on this list because of expectations. They haven’t played like the third-best team in the conference.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers may have been the second-best team in the AFC regular season last year. They returned a very similar roster. They have a veteran quarterback, depth at running back, an All-Pro receiver, two pass-rushing studs, and a solid defensive backfield.
The problem is that the Chargers constantly want to Charger. They gave away a game in Detroit. They won in Miami but didn’t look great in the first half. There’s something about the AFC version of Los Angeles where we all wait for the other shoe to drop.
The real problem for the Chargers is that the Chiefs are firmly in their way. It will be difficult to win the division.
Baltimore Ravens
Everyone loved the Ravens after their first two games. Of course, those games were against the Miami Dolphins and the Arizona Cardinals. If their offense didn’t look good, it would be kind of odd.
The problem for Baltimore may be its defense. Arizona moved the ball against them. The Chiefs put up points per usual. The Ravens were dominated by the formerly struggling Browns offense. Up is down. Cats are chasing dogs. The Ravens offense is better than its defense.
Baltimore’s offense is built to play from in front. Lamar Jackson has improved by leaps and bounds, but Baltimore still needs the threat of the run. They also need their defense to start playing like we expect Baltimore defenses to play.
Cleveland Browns
Everyone buried the Browns after their 1-2 start. To be fair, their offense looked absolutely atrocious. Baker Mayfield was in a sophomore slump. Freddie Kitchens seemed like he was in over his head.
Then they showed up to Baltimore, waxed the Ravens, and ended this Sunday in first place in the AFC North. If the hand-wringing to first in their division that isn’t a sign of hot-take culture, I don’t know what is.
The Browns are entirely too talented to be a bad team. Their problem is similar to the Texans. They have what looks like an offensive line in theory, but is more theme park turnstile in practice. When Mayfield is pressured, he fades back right and floats passes.
The Browns are the perfect example of the AFC upper-middle class. They have high expectations. They should play well, but they aren’t close to where the Patriots and Chiefs are right now.
Buffalo Bills
Yup, the Bills make the list. Their defense is too good for them to not make the list and if they can find a modicum of an offensive attack, they could actually be dangerous. It’s not like their wins are any worse than the teams aforementioned. At least Buffalo beat a Jets team with Sam Darnold and not Trevor Siemian/Luke Falk.
The Bills could have beaten the Patriots this past Sunday. Buffalo would have been 4-0, on the front page of every website, and we’d be discussing if the Bills are the new future of the AFC East. This almost all happened.
