AFC Power Rankings After Week 13: Broncos Stay Hot, Patriots Eye the Top, and the Wild Card Race Heats Up
Week 13 in the AFC wrapped up with more questions than answers - and that’s exactly how this season has gone. The Denver Broncos continue to roll, the New England Patriots are hunting for the No. 1 seed, and the Wild Card picture is as crowded as ever. With Monday Night Football still looming between the Patriots and Giants, the stakes are high - especially for New England, who can reclaim the top spot in the conference and keep the Bills at bay with a win.
Let’s break down the updated AFC Power Rankings heading into the final stretch of the season.
16. Las Vegas Raiders
It’s been a brutal fall for a team that tried to go all-in. The Raiders’ offseason splash - bringing in Geno Smith and Pete Carroll - has backfired in a big way.
What was supposed to be a win-now move has turned into a full-blown rebuild situation. The chemistry isn’t there, the results aren’t coming, and Las Vegas finds itself at the bottom of the AFC.
15. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are in the middle of a long-term reset. They’re not just a few pieces away - they’re likely a few years away. With the current roster and coaching questions hanging over the franchise, Tennessee looks like a team that’s already thinking ahead to the draft and the next phase of its identity.
14. Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett continues to be a game-wrecker, but he can’t do it alone. The Browns have a defensive foundation most teams would envy, but the offense just hasn’t held up its end. Cleveland’s future hinges on finding answers on that side of the ball - and fast.
13. New York Jets
Credit to the Jets - they’re still swinging. Despite a roster that’s thin in key areas, they’re battling each week.
The real hope lies in their draft capital. With plenty of picks in their pocket, the Jets are positioned to reshape this team quickly if they hit on the right players.
12. Cincinnati Bengals
Don’t count the Bengals out just yet. Their Thanksgiving win over the Ravens kept their AFC North hopes alive, but the margin for error is razor-thin.
They’ll likely need to win out and get help along the way. Still, in a chaotic AFC, stranger things have happened.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
From 4-1 to 6-6, the Steelers have hit a wall. The offense has sputtered, and the defense hasn’t been able to carry the load alone.
That streak of non-losing seasons under Mike Tomlin? It’s suddenly in serious jeopardy.
This could be a turning point for the franchise - for better or worse.
10. Miami Dolphins
Don’t look now, but the Dolphins are showing signs of life. At 5-7, they’re not out of it, and they’re just one game behind the Chiefs in the standings. It’s been a rocky ride, but Miami is starting to look like a team that could make things interesting down the stretch.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
It’s strange to say, but the Chiefs just don’t look like the Chiefs. The talent isn’t there across the board, especially on offense, and they’ve struggled to close out games. Right now, Kansas City is on the outside looking in - and unless something changes fast, they might stay there.
8. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are trying to claw their way back after a 1-5 start, and they’ve done just enough to stay in the mix. But a loss to the Bengals in Week 13 raises red flags. Baltimore might be in a win-the-division-or-go-home scenario, and the margin for error is paper-thin.
7. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are hanging around the Wild Card picture, but there are real concerns. The offensive line has struggled, and the depth just isn’t there. They’re likely to sneak into the postseason, but it’s hard to picture them making a deep run unless something clicks quickly.
6. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are wobbling at the wrong time, but they’re still tied with the Jaguars atop the AFC South. It’s been an up-and-down season, but Indianapolis is very much in the thick of it. The next few weeks will determine whether they can stabilize and make a push.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are currently in the driver’s seat in the AFC South, but consistency - especially at quarterback - remains a concern. Trevor Lawrence has shown flashes, but the week-to-week performance has been uneven. Still, the coaching staff has this group playing disciplined, competitive football.
4. Buffalo Bills
The Bills got back on track with a dominant win over the Steelers in Week 13, and they’re still chasing the Patriots in the AFC East. The clock is ticking, though. If Buffalo wants to take the division, they’ll need to keep stacking wins - and hope New England slips.
3. Houston Texans
No team has flipped the script quite like the Texans. After starting 0-3, they’ve gone 7-2 and now sit at 7-5.
The defense is flying around, the energy is real, and they’re peaking at the right time. Houston looks like a team that believes it can win the AFC South - and they’ve got the momentum to do it.
2. New England Patriots
The Patriots have a chance to reclaim the best record in the NFL with a win over the Giants on Monday Night Football. But it won’t be easy.
The offensive line is banged up, and the Giants are getting Jaxson Dart back under center. Still, New England has been one of the most consistent teams in the league - and they’re built for December football.
1. Denver Broncos
Winners of nine straight, the Broncos are the class of the AFC right now. At 10-2, they’re firing on all cylinders and look like the most complete team in the conference.
Offense, defense, coaching - it’s all clicking. If they keep this up, the road to the Super Bowl might run through Denver.
Final Thoughts
The AFC is a minefield right now - and that’s what makes it so fun. From top-tier contenders like Denver and New England to surging squads like Houston and Miami, this conference is wide open.
With five weeks left, buckle up. The playoff race is just getting started.