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Week 14 has concluded. Here are the latest AFC power rankings. The Miami Dolphins continue to surprise the entire league with their fifth straight win and their biggest jump to date in this week's power rankings. A thrilling match in the snow on Monday Night Football between the Bills and Patriots secured the #1 spot even further.
AFC Power Rankings Week 14: Who has claimed the #1 spot?
#16 - Houston Texans - (2-10)
Previous Rank: 16
Next Week: vs. Seattle Seahawks
There is little to say about the Texans, other than their season is officially over as they are the first team in the entire league to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Not even the 1-9-1 Lions have been eliminated. That's how bad this Texans team is.
#15 - Jacksonville Jaguars - (2-10)
Previous Rank: 15
Next Week: vs. Tennessee Titans
The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the same light as the Texans, as they have nothing to play for any more this season. They take on the Titans next week and could just want to make life more difficult by beating them like they did with the Bills earlier in the season. No major changes for them in this week's power rankings.
#14 - New York Jets - (3-9)
Previous Rank: 14
Next Week: vs. New Orleans Saints
The New York Jets nearly jumped in the power rankings as they were beating the Eagles in the first quarter of their game and looked to be more competitive, but that all went away fast, and they were, once again, dominated by their opponent. The Jets need some crucial pieces to be relevant in 2022.
#13 - Las Vegas Raiders - (6-6)
Previous Rank: 10
Next Week: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
With the Las Vegas Raiders falling so much in this week's power rankings it may seem like blasphemy, but their team is a mess.
Derek Carr seems to be the only one pulling his weight, and without Darren Waller, the team suffered greatly and lost to the WFT. It doesn't look like this team has what it takes to make the playoffs this season.
#12 - Denver Broncos - (6-6)
Previous Rank: 8
Next Week: vs. Detroit Lions
There is so much belief that the Broncos can rebound from their losing ways and get back into the favor of the playoffs, but they keep finding ways to shoot themselves in the foot. Sunday's game was a perfect example, as Bridgewater threw two costly interceptions and the Chiefs steamrolled the Broncos. The Broncos have mightily fallen in this week's power rankings.
#11 - Cleveland Browns - (6-6)
Previous Rank: 11
Next Week: vs. Baltimore Ravens
The good news is that the Cleveland Browns got to rest this week and didn't fall in the power rankings. The bad news is teams jumped over the Browns into coveted playoff wild-card spots. The Browns have an important matchup with the Ravens next and will need to beat them to rebound their season and playoff hopes.
#10 - Pittsburgh Steelers - (6-5-1)
Previous Rank: 12
Next Week: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Ben Roethlisberger effectively threw the NFL world into a tizzy by underhandedly announcing his retirement.
Those rumors were further felt as he was left in tears by the Steelers narrowly beating the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. It was an important win that kept the Steelers in the conversation for the playoffs and gave them a nice little jump in this week's power rankings.
Also check out: Complete Thursday Night Football Schedule 2021
Who has taken the #1 spot in the Week 13 AFC power rankings?
Top nine teams in the AFC power rankings.
#9 - Miami Dolphins - (6-7)
Previous Rank: 12
Next Week: bye
The Miami Dolphins are going on a historic run and have won their last five games after losing seven in a row, and have leaped up the power rankings this week. That is thanks to the defense completing dominating teams and Tua Tagovailoa turning into one of the most efficient passers in the entire league.
The Dolphins get much-needed rest for their final stretch and potential ability to get into the playoffs.
#8 - Cincinnati Bengals - (7-5)
Previous Rank: 6
Next Week: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Joe Burrow dislocated his pinky in Sunday's thrashing by the Los Angeles Chargers. The Bengals still sit in a wild-card playoff spot, but their power rankings numbers this week have suffered a bit. Hopefully, Burrow isn't too banged up, and the Bengals can rebound their efforts against the 49ers.
#7 - Indianapolis Colts - (7-6)
Previous Rank: 7
Next Week: bye
The Indianapolis Colts are a team that just hasn't quit. Like the Dolphins, they had a terrible start to their season, but they have rebounded nicely. They completely dismantled the Texans with a 31-0 final score. Now they have to take on the Patriots, who are scary and good against the run. Taylor may have to take a back seat next week. No change for their power rankings spot.
#6 - Los Angeles Chargers - (7-5)
Previous Rank: 9
Next Week: vs. New York Giants
The Los Angeles Chargers rebounded nicely against the Bengals and have nearly leaped back into the top five spots in the AFC power rankings. The Chargers are currently the fifth seed in the playoff picture and could further solidify their trip to the postseason with a win against the pushover Giants this week.
#5 - Tennesee Titans - (8-4)
Previous Rank: 4
Next Week: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Titans were on a bye week but dropped to a spot in this week's power rankings. It may not be all that fair, but the problem is that they are starting to play sloppy in a time they can't afford to. Back-to-back losses to the Texans and Patriots keep them in the top five, but should they lose to the Jaguars, they will plummet further.
#4 - Buffalo Bills - (7-5)
Previous Rank: 5
Next Week: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
You have to hand it to the Buffalo Bills, they are playing their hearts out. They lost to the best team in the AFC, but they nearly beat them in some of the worst conditions for a game that has been broadcast. The Bills have another tough matchup with the Bucs this week and need to beat them to keep their playoff spot and power rankings spot.
#3 - Baltimore Ravens - (8-4)
Previous Rank: 3
Next Week: vs. Cleveland Browns
The Ravens nearly lost to the Steelers in a thrilling match. They keep their power rankings place this week because they are still one of the best teams in the AFC, despite their loss to their divisional rivals. They remain the third seed in the playoff picture and need to beat the Browns to further their hold on the AFC North.
#2 - Kansas City Chiefs - (8-4)
Previous Rank: 2
Next Week: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Kansas City Chiefs have proven again why they are on a roll that won't stop them as they pummeled the Denver Broncos, extending their winning streak to five games. The Chiefs dismantled the Raiders the last time they played, and that may happen again, leaving the Chiefs nearly at the top of the AFC and the power rankings this week.
#1 - New England Patriots - (9-4)
Previous Rank: 1
Next Week: vs. bye
The New England Patriots played an odd but fruitful game in the snow against their divisional rival, the Buffalo Bills. They came away with a win, even with Mac Jones not throwing for over 20 yards.
Such an odd stat, but it proves how good this Patriots defense truly is. Or just how bad it is to throw the football in strong winds. Either way, they remain the kings of the AFC and the power rankings.
