'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NFL Week 5 has come to a close, and with Week 6 fast approaching, AFC teams have begun to move up and down in this week's power rankings.
Although the AFC West has seen some clear competition, the Los Angeles Chargers have seemingly alternated with the Kansas City Chiefs at the top of the rankings. Only half of the AFC teams have winning records in the NFL currently.
On that note, here's a look at the power rankings of AFC teams in the NFL after Week 5:
AFC Power Rankings Week 5: Which teams have plummeted even further?
#16 Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5)
Previous Rank: 16
Next week: vs. Miami Dolphins
The Jacksonville Jaguars just can't seem to get out of their way, and have seemingly begun to cement their place in having the #1 draft pick once again. Though rookie Trevor Lawrence is struggling mightily, he still has some redeeming qualities. It would be wise to build heavily around Lawrence to salvage their next season.
#15 Miami Dolphins (1-4)
Previous Rank: 15
Next week: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Miami Dolphins are only a game away from being the worst team in the AFC. Their current -75 point differential is the worst in the league, and they have been getting embarrassed week after week. They travel to London to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the Jags faring even worse than them, this could be the confidence-boosting win the Dolphins desperately need.
#14 Houston Texans (1-4)
Previous Rank: 13
Next week: vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Houston Texans are on a four-game losing streak, and deserve to be towards the bottom of the list after the bone-headed botched fake punt call they tried to enact against the New England Patriots. They had a 22-9 commanding lead before that play seemed to turn things around, as the Patriots eventually emerged victorious after scoring 16 unanswered points.
#13 New York Jets (1-4)
Previous Rank: 14
Next week: bye
The New York Jets will get a much-needed week off, where they can effectively try and reset themselves. Zach Wilson has been taking all kinds of punishment in his ninth NFL season. The rookie has been sacked a second-highest 18 times. The Jets will have to find a way to protect Wilson if they are to turn their season around.
#12 Indianapolis Colts (1-4)
Previous Rank: 11
Next Week: vs. Houston Texans
The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a win in which they dismantled the bottom-level Miami Dolphins, and are on the verge of putting things together. The proof of that came in their near-win against the surging Baltimore Ravens on Monday night. The Colts might just begin to turn things around in the AFC.
#11 New England Patriots (2-3)
Previous Rank: 12
Next Week: vs. Dallas Cowboys
The New England Patriots fought back against the Houston Texans after they committed one of the dumbest plays in the history of the NFL. Though the Patriots were down 22-9 in the third quarter, they were able to bounce back with 16 unanswered points.
#10 Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3)
Previous Rank: 10
Next Week: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Although the Pittsburgh Steelers were able to get a much-needed comeback win, they could still be facing a much bigger uphill climb to stay relevant in the AFC North. Ben Roethlisberger remains one of the worst quarterbacks in the league. and will need to play a much different game to lead the Steelers back to winning ways in the AFC.
#9 Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
Previous Rank: 8
Next Week: vs. Washington Football Team
This might be the strangest time for the Kansas City Chiefs, as they currently sit at the bottom of the AFC West. In their defense, they were beaten by the much better Buffalo Bills (more on them later). The Chiefs could fall out of favor with an AFC West divisional win should they lose again next week.
#8 Tennesee Titans (3-2)
Previous Rank: 9
Next Week: vs. Buffalo Bills
The Tennessee Titans have found some footing after logging a win. However, that victory came against the 0-5 Jacksonville Jaguars. The Titans will have their hands full when they take on the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Should they miraculously win, they might be able to put back the puzzle that is their season.
#7 Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)
Previous Rank: 6
Next Week: vs. Denver Broncos
The Las Vegas Raiders dropped the ball against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. and were delivered a loss that should have been an easy win. Now, with Jon Gruden effectively stepping down as Raiders head coach, thanks to his controversial emails, they will have to find an interim head coach to keep themselves relevant.
#6 Denver Broncos (3-2)
Previous Rank: 4
Next Week: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Denver Broncos finally suffered a loss, but it was against a team that should be considered a playoff hopeful. The Steelers effectively accomplished their comeback win against the Broncos. They did so by not being able to score touchdowns through three-quarters of football as the Broncos easily lost.
#5 Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)
Previous Rank: 7
Next Week: vs. Detroit Lions
The Cincinnati Bengals have effectively jumped up a couple of spots in this week's power rankings as they play tough every single week. They nearly beat the Green Bay Packers in a thrilling game on Sunday. Missed field goals led to overtime and almost a 4-1 season record.
#4 Cleveland Browns (3-2)
Previous Rank: 5
Next Week: Arizona Cardinals
The woes of the Cleveland Browns have largely been due to Baker Mayfield not pulling his weight with the rest of the team. Their running game and defense are top tier, but Baker needs to join the rest of his team's skill level.
However, the Browns nearly beat the Los Angeles Chargers, and Baker's 305 yards and two TD performances are nothing to scoff at. The Browns will need to fire on all cylinders if they are to beat the 5-0 Cardinals next week.
#3 Baltimore Ravens (4-1)
Previous Rank: 2
Next Week: Los Angeles Chargers
The Baltimore Ravens had a come-from-behind victory against the Indianapolis Colts, and they remain one of the strongest teams in the AFC. Their rushing attack remains one of the top in the league. Lamar Murray threw for a career-high 442 yards during Monday's victory. The Ravens will have to battle against a very strong Chargers team in Week 6.
#2 Los Angeles Chargers (4-1)
Previous Rank: 3
Next Week: vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Los Angeles Chargers might have the makings of a 2021-22 season MVP with Justin Herbert at the helm. Herbert and company have surprised the entire league, and currently sit alone in the AFC West. Should the Chargers continue to beat out top competitive teams, they might have a straight shot at the AFC Championship.
#1 Buffalo Bills (4-1)
Previous Rank: 1
Next Week: vs. Tennessee Titans
The Buffalo Bills sit atop the AFC, and are currently only behind the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals as one of the top teams in the entire league. Josh Allen might also make his case for the MVP award in the coming weeks. Their +108 point differential is the best in the league, and there seems to be no stopping them. The entire league should be put on notice.
