NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Where does every AFC team stand?

Here are the Week 15 AFC power rankings. The bottom of the barrel teams remain the same, and the Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in that same conversation for the second week in a row.

Some teams have found a bit of success, ensuring their short climbs up the power rankings, but teams like the Dolphins, the Colts and the Patriots have moved slightly lower in position only due to their late bye weeks. Where does every AFC team stand?

AFC Power Rankings Week 15: Who has claimed the #1 spot?

Denver Broncos v Kansas City Chiefs

#16 - Jacksonville Jaguars - (2-11)

Previous Rank: 15

Next Week: vs. Houston Texans

Believe it or not, the Jacksonville Jaguars are now the worst team in the league. They belong at the bottom of the power rankings for this week. They have little to no redeeming factors in their team, and Trevor Lawrence threw four interceptions, leaving many to wonder if he might be a bust.

#15 - Houston Texans - (2-11)

Previous Rank: 16

Next Week: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans moved up one spot in this week's power rankings only because Davis Mills is now their starting quarterback for the remainder of the season and had a nice game against the Seahawks, where he threw for 331 yards. Not bad for a rookie.

#14 - New York Jets - (3-10)

Previous Rank: 14

Next Week: vs. Miami Dolphins

The New York Jets keep their place near the bottom of the power rankings and the AFC, as they continually lose games by double digits. However, Zach Wilson didn't throw any interceptions this week, so that's gotta be a plus, right? Still, the Jets will need a serious overhaul in the offseason to keep pace with the rest of the AFC East.

#13 - Las Vegas Raiders - (6-7)

Previous Rank: 13

Next Week: vs. Cleveland Browns

The once-great Las Vegas Raiders just can't seem to figure things out any longer. Derek Carr is easily the most talented player on this team and is not being helped whatsoever.

There are growing rumors that he might be traded in the offseason, which would probably be a great idea. He needs a new team.

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#12 - Pittsburgh Steelers - (6-6-1)

Previous Rank: 10

Next Week: vs. Tennessee Titans

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have secured a much-needed win, but they are still not a great team by any means. Roethlisberger continues to play above his actual ability to help the team secure wins. However, the Steelers are now without TJ Watt again, and that removes most of their skill level and their power rankings spot.

#11 - Denver Broncos - (7-6)

Previous Rank: 12

Next Week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Denver Broncos smashed on the Detroit Lions, so they get a small bump in the power rankings. It's only one spot, and they still seem to be teetering between being a terrible team and a mediocre team. Still, they are considered in the wild-card playoff conversation, and that matters.

#10 - Miami Dolphins - (6-7)

Previous Rank: 9

Next Week: vs. New York Jets

The Miami Dolphins have fallen slightly in this week's power rankings, only due to their bye week, but mostly because they have lost all three of their starting running backs to Covid-19.

That's right, they are without all three starting running backs and Jevon Holland, who is their star rookie safety. All are vaccinated, so they may just make it back to the starting lineup.

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Also check out: Complete Monday Night Football Schedule 2021

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Who has taken the #1 spot in the Week 15 AFC power rankings?

Top nine teams in the AFC power rankings.

#9 - Cleveland Browns - (7-6)

Previous Rank: 11

Next Week: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The Cleveland Browns fought hard against the Baltimore Ravens and secured a win that should help boost their confidence and their power rankings rise. Sure, they beat a Baltimore side that was without Lamar Jackson and Calais Campbell, but a win is a win. The Browns play an important wild-card matchup against the Raiders on Saturday.

#8 - Cincinnati Bengals - (7-6)

Previous Rank: 8

Next Week: vs. Denver Broncos

The Cincinnati Bengals dropped an important game to the San Francisco 49ers. They fought to the bitter end but were bested in overtime, leaving them on the outside of the wild-card playoff spot they once had, though they stayed put in this week's power rankings. The Broncos could further spoil their chances, so the Bengals will need to play their hearts out to reclaim their playoff hopes.

#7 - Indianapolis Colts - (7-6)

Previous Rank: 7

Next Week: vs. New England Patriots

The Indianapolis Colts are lucky to stay put in this week's power rankings. They've got a late bye week, so that could benefit them or possibly ruin their forward momentum. Either way, they have to take on the Patriots in their next game, which won't be an easy game.

#6 - Buffalo Bills - (7-6)

Previous Rank: 4

Next Week: vs. Carolina Panthers

The Buffalo Bills are nearly in the same light as the Raiders, in that they keep losing important games and dropping their way down the power rankings. However, they are still a very capable team regardless of their mishaps. Facing the Panthers should help boost their chances at retaining a better record in the AFC.

#5 - Baltimore Ravens - (8-5)

Previous Rank: 3

Next Week: vs. Green Bay Packers

The Baltimore Ravens have fallen in this week's power rankings due to them losing to the Browns, but more so because they could be without Lamar Jackson for a few weeks due to an ankle sprain.

Jackson being hurt couldn't have come at a worse time for the team as they are chasing an AFC North title.

#4 - Los Angeles Chargers - (8-5)

Previous Rank: 6

Next Week: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Watch out for the Los Angeles Chargers. They are now on a two-game winning streak and have won three of their last four games. Justin Herbert is once again playing like his record-breaking self. The Chargers could be a dark-horse playoff team that no one sees coming, and they have climbed up this week's power rankings as a result of their winning ways.

#3 - Tennesee Titans - (9-4)

Previous Rank: 5

Next Week: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Tennessee Titans finally pulled themselves together and won an important matchup against the Jaguars. Though that is nothing to be proud about, they needed this win to catapult themselves up the power ranking and into the #2 seed for the entire AFC and the power rankings. The Titans can further boost themselves by beating the ailing Steelers.

#2 - New England Patriots - (9-4)

Previous Rank: 1

Next Week: vs. Indianapolis Colts

The New England Patriots are still one of the most dangerous teams in the entire AFC, but they dropped this week only due to a bye week. It seems only fair. They take on the sneakily good Colts next, and they will need a win here to remain in the #1 seed for the AFC. They dropped only slightly in this week's power rankings but should have no issues returning to the top soon.

#1 - Kansas City Chiefs - (9-4)

Previous Rank: 2

Next Week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Kansas City Chiefs are back at the top of the AFC, and for good reason. They embarrassed the Raiders, and they have Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The Chiefs were always meant to return to the depths of the playoffs, and though they started rough, they are now on a six-game winning streak.

They will be in an active battle with the Patriots for the top spot in the power rankings and seeding in the AFC until the end of this season.

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