NFL Power Rankings Week 8: Where does every AFC team stand?

With the 2021 NFL season reaching a near midpoint, there have been some surprising developments in the AFC. Teams like the Dolphins and Texans can't seem to get out of their way, while the Bengals and Titans have skyrocketed to the top of contention.

Here's a look at the AFC power rankings heading into Week 8.

AFC Power Rankings Week 8: Where do the Bengals and Titans now land?

#16 - Houston Texans - (1-6)

Previous Rank: 16

Next Week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

It has become pretty apparent that the Houston Texans may be riding the losing train to securing a top-three pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. They now boast the worst points differential in the league at -106.

They may also just be playing the waiting game to see what trade offers come rolling in for Deshaun Watson.

#15 - Miami Dolphins - (1-6)

Previous Rank: 15

Next Week: vs. Buffalo Bills

It's a tragic scene at the Miami Dolphins camp. Six straight losses have the team reeling and staying near the bottom of the power rankings.

So, where do they go from here? Should they break the bank for Deshaun Watson? The firing of general manager and possibly head coach Brian Flores could come sooner rather than later.

#14 - New York Jets - (1-5)

Previous Rank: 14

Next Week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The New York Jets are staying put for the simple fact that they had a bye week. Even with that, they still have a worse point differential than the Dolphins.

Would that place them in the #15 spot? Possibly. Either way, they have a chance to bounce back higher in the power rankings this week.

#13 - Jacksonville Jaguars - (1-5)

Previous Rank: 13

Next Week: vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Jacksonville Jaguars also have the benefit of a bye week that is keeping them locked into their #13 place in this week's power rankings. Should they be able to dispatch the Seahawks, they may climb a couple of spots.

A week's rest is always a good thing.

#12 - Denver Broncos - (3-4)

Previous Rank: 10

Next Week: vs. Washington Football Team

The Denver Broncos continue to plummet in the power rankings. The once 3-0 team has now suffered four straight losses and seems to be having an identity crisis.

Are they a good team or not? They will need to figure that out quickly. Next week vs WFT should help to decide that answer.

#11 - Kansas City Chiefs - (3-4)

Previous Rank: 9

Next Week: vs. New York Giants

Someone needs to travel back to 2020 and find the real Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs. This team is fundamentally awkward.

They win sometimes but have mostly muddled the line of a good team far too much. Mahomes has also thrown a league-leading nine interceptions. Things are awry and the Chiefs continue to fall in the power rankings.

#10 - New England Patriots - (3-4)

Previous Rank: 11

Next Week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Bill Belichick may once again be onto something as his Patriots continue to show that the Dolphins and Jets are not in the same league as the rest of the AFC East (despite those teams arguably having more talent).

The same could be said for the entire AFC. The New England Patriots are slowly becoming a very competitive team.

Who has taken the #1 spot in the Week 8 power rankings?

Power rankings for the top nine teams in the AFC.

#9 - Indianapolis Colts - (3-4)

Previous Rank: 12

Next Week: vs. Tennessee Titans

The Indianapolis Colts have seemingly found their identity under Carson Wentz. It may have taken almost half the season, but there are some positives that are happening that can't be ignored.

They barely lost to the Ravens and beat the Texans and 49ers. The Colts might be a competitive team.

#8 - Pittsburgh Steelers - (3-3)

Previous Rank: 8

Next Week: vs. Cleveland Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers are also staying put, for now. Should they show up and beat the ailing Cleveland Browns, they may very well steal their power rankings spot next week.

A week off might have been just what Ben Roethlisberger needed.

#7 - Cleveland Browns - (4-3)

Previous Rank: 7

Next Week: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Cleveland Browns are another team that has dropped significantly from their once prominent record and skill. This may be because they are riddled with injured players.

The hope is they can get everyone back in time for a playoff push.

#6 - Los Angeles Chargers - (4-2)

Previous Rank: 3

Next Week: vs. New England Patriots

Dropping three spots in this week's power rankings may be unfair, but how they folded under the Ravens is concerning. The Los Angeles Chargers need to reboot their team if they are to keep pace with the top five teams in the AFC.

#5 - Las Vegas Raiders - (5-2)

Previous Rank: 6

Next Week: bye

After dropping the ball against the Chargers and the Bears, the Las Vegas Raiders bounced back in typical Radier fashion with wins against the Broncos and Eagles.

Those teams are not impressively competitive, but the Raiders are #1 in the AFC West. That will always count for something and give them a small boost in this week's power rankings.

#4 - Buffalo Bills - (4-2)

Previous Rank: 2

Next Week: vs. Miami Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills were on a week's rest and are looking to pad their record against the Miami Dolphins this week. They are still a very good team, despite their most recent loss to the Tennessee Titans.

They should bounce back and retain one of the top five AFC spots this season in the weekly power rankings.

#3 - Baltimore Ravens - (5-2)

Previous Rank: 1

Next Week: bye

Yes, the Baltimore Ravens have fallen a bit, only due to the other teams that have just been playing better football. The Ravens will get a much-needed week off in an attempt to rebound from the dismantling by the Cincinnati Bengals.

#2 - Tennesee Titans - (5-2)

Previous Rank: 5

Next Week: vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Tennessee Titans have launched their way to the near top of this week's power rankings.

Why? In two word---Derrick Henry. The running back may as well throw the entire team on his back and run straight to the playoffs and perhaps the top of the power rankings. He just cannot be stopped.

#1 - Cincinnati Bengals - (5-2)

Previous Rank: 4

Next Week: New York Jets

The Cincinnati Bengals are the #1 team in the AFC power rankings. They recently destroyed the Ravens, kept pace with the Green Bay Packers, and are now 5-2.

The Bengals continue to find ways to win and should be seeing a lot more success soon. Joe Mixon, Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow are all playing lights out. This Bengals team is very good.