NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Where does every AFC team stand?

The AFC power rankings race is on. Week 7 is set to start this Thursday, and there is currently a battle for last place. Usually, the competition matters towards the top of the list, but there are some clear-cut winners that have been emerging week after week, solidifying their spots at the top of the power rankings.

Bottom of the barrel: AFC teams like the Jets, the Texans, the Dolphins and the Jaguars have all been trying to outdo one another as the worst teams in the league. It's a sad state of affairs as the AFC is usually more of a competitive conference.

Here's a look at the AFC power rankings heading into Week 7.

AFC Power Rankings Week 7: Which team is the worst in the league?

#16 Houston Texans (1-5)

Previous Rank: 14

Next Week: vs. Arizona Cardinals

There is finally a team worse off in the AFC than the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Houston Texans might effectively be tanking their entire season to lock up the #1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Should they find a trading partner for Deshaun Watson, the Texans could do well by rebuilding their entire team come next season. They have to do something, as this season is as good as gone.

#15 Miami Dolphins (1-5)

Previous Rank: 15

Next Week: vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Miami Dolphins are currently stuck near the bottom of the AFC at #14. They let their season woes continue by losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were winless. The bright line in the Dolphins arsenal is Tua Tagovailoa, who returned from injury in Week 6. The Dolphins will need to find a way to turn their season around, as they are currently ranked close to the bottom in every offensive category.

#14 New York Jets (1-4)

Previous Rank: 13

Next Week: vs. New England Patriots

You can't drop too far in the power rankings if you don't play a game. The New York Jets are one of the only AFC teams that were lucky enough to get a Week 6 bye. However, such an early bye week might come back to haunt them. The Jets seem to be nearing a turnaround as far as being one of the worst teams in the league is concerned. They can prove that point by beating the Patriots next week.

#13 Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)

Previous Rank: 16

Next Week: bye

The Jaguars have won their first game and have effectively jumped up three spots in this week's power rankings. That may seem like a bit of a stretch, but the Jags don't have nearly the worst numbers in defense and offense through the AFC.

The bye week might spark more confidence in the Jaguars, especially after beating the Dolphins.

#12 Indianapolis Colts (2-4)

Previous Rank: 12

Next Week: vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Indianapolis Colts are staying put at their #12 position, even though they finally logged a much needed win. That win happened to be against the worst teams in the AFC, so there's not much to write home about. The Colts, however, could be finding a way to turn things around. The 49ers will certainly test their resolve next week.

#11 New England Patriots (2-4)

Previous Rank: 11

Next Week: vs. New York Jets

The New England Patriots also remain in their previously occupied #11 spot. They would have climbed the power rankings had they beaten the Dallas Cowboys in overtime, but a costly blown coverage play allowed the Cowboys to score a touchdown.

To their credit, the Patriots did keep pace with one of the best teams in the NFC.

#10 Denver Broncos (3-3)

Previous Rank: 6

Next Week: vs. Cleveland Browns

The fall from grace has been steady for the Denver Broncos. Teddy Bridgewater was one of the bright spots for the team, but since returning from a concussion, he's thrown four interceptions. That isn't ideal by any means. The Broncos are on a three-game losing skid, and all three have been against high-level teams. Even with the injury to Baker Mayfield, should the Broncos lose to the Browns next week, it might spell trouble for the Broncos' playoff hopes.

Who is in top 5 for this week's AFC power rankings?

Here are the top nine teams in the AFC.

#9 Kansas City Chiefs (3-3)

Previous Rank: 9

Next Week: vs. Tennessee Titans

The Kansas City Chiefs are another team that have won an important game but have stayed put in their power rankings spot. For someone who is regarded as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the AFC, Patrick Mahomes threw 8 interceptions. Something is amiss with the team, though they could be trending upward next week when they take on the Tennessee Titans.

#8 Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3)

Previous Rank: 9

Next Week: bye

The Pittsburgh Steelers would lose without T.J. Watt. The former runner-up for DPOTY has been nothing short of spectacular on the defensive side of the ball. Watt successfully committed a strip sack to Geno Smith, allowing the Steelers to beat the Seahawks in OT. With the way Roethlisberger is playing, Watt might be the Steelers' only saving grace and their ticket to releveancy in the AFC.

#7 Cleveland Browns (3-3)

Previous Rank: 4

Next Week: vs. Denver Broncos

The Cleveland Browns are on a two-game losing streak that could see their AFC North title chances fade away. Baker Mayfield has a dislocated shoulder, which has been an issue as of late. He still plans to play Thursday, but that may be a mistake that propels the Browns into deeper injury crisis. Kareem Hunt, Odell Beckham Jr. and Nick Chubb are all hurt, which spells disaster for the Browns' season.

#6 Las Vegas Raiders (4-2)

Previous Rank: 7

Next Week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Las Vegas Raiders have found new footing after their two losses to the Broncos and the Bears. They are 4-2 and in the thick of the race for the AFC West crown. Derek Carr is also still in 2nd place in passing yards. The Raiders will need to rely on their passing and defense to bounce back like they did in Week 6.

#5 Tennessee Titans (4-2)

Previous Rank: 8

Next Week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Tennessee Titans are on a two-game winning streak and have found their footing as of late. That may be due to the fact that Derrick Henry cannot be stopped.

The Titans should lean on Henry to carry them into the playoffs, quite literally. The Titans are 4-2 and can completely run away with the AFC South with a few more wins under their belt.

#4 Cincinatti Bengals (4-2)

Previous Rank: 5

Next Week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Cincinnati Bengals continue to impress with their resistance and overall depth of skill. Although their most recent win came against the 0-6 Lions, the Bengals held tough against the Green Bay Packers the week before. The Bengals are 4-2 and in second place in the AFC North. They might very well see a wildcard spot should they continue to find ways to win.

#3 Los Angeles Chargers (4-2)

Previous Rank: 3

Next Week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Los Angeles Chargers were humbled by a better team in the Baltimore Ravens. Although they lost to a superior side, they are currently still the third-best team in the AFC. Their power ranking remains the same because they still have Justin Herbert at their disposal. In his second year, Herbert is still turning heads with his high football IQ. The Chargers should bounce back in Week 7.

#2 - Buffalo Bills (4-2)

Previous Rank: 1

Next Week: bye

The Buffalo Bills, though one of the strongest teams in the AFC, fell victim to the powerhouse that is Derrick Henry. The Tennessee Titans running back churned his way into another impressive showing where he logged 143 yards and 3 TDs. The Bills came into this game riding a wave of success, and this loss should not deter them from being one of the most efficient teams in the league.

#1 Baltimore Ravens (5-1)

Previous Rank: 3

Next Week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

There can be no more denying how good this Baltimore Ravens team is. This is surprising considering they lost two of their starting running backs and their starting cornerback to season-ending injuries. That is quite simply the difference between good and great coaching.

The Ravens have been on a tear thanks to their dual threat passing and rushing game that Lamar Jackson can provide. Even after throwing 2 interceptions last week, the Ravens still managed to dismantle the Chargers. The Ravens may run the AFC for quite some time.