1) KC (LW: 2) - head and shoulders above the rest1) BAL (LW: 2) - most consistent team so far
2) KC (LW: 1) - still the champs
3) PIT (LW: 5) - better than expected so far
4) BUF (LW: 3) - Allen seems to have improved
5) TEN (LW: 4) - wins are wins
6) NE (LW: 6) - offense looked good, but defense was torched. Good matchup coming next weekend
7) LVR (LW: 10) - Carr very much in control so far
8) HOU (LW: 7) - toughest schedule so far, but it's a talented team
9) LAC (LW: 9) - it's tough to trust this team in close games. 1-1 feels right so far
10) IND (LW: 11) - Rivers is over the hill but there's decent supporting talent
11) DEN (LW: 8) - bad injury luck so far. They're only going to win 4-5 games but they're better than that
12) CLE (LW: 14) - more talent than the teams below them, but consistency is an issue
13) MIA (LW: 12) - competitive, but still a talent gap
14) JAX (LW: 13) - ditto
15) NYJ (LW: 15) - both a talent and coaching gap
16) CIN (LW: 16) - ditto
I agree with you on the 6. I would likely shuffle the bottom 4 around simply because I put a larger value on QB experience in the playoffs. So I would rank them:The teams with a legit chance to win the AFC:
1. KC - Defending champs with the best player.
2. Bal - Probably the best all-around team...good in every area.
3. NE - If Cam is healthy and the defense does it's job, NE could beat anyone.
4. Buf - Defense needs to play better, and Allen needs to avoid mistakes, but they could do it.
5. Ten - Came close last year and if Tannehill plays well, they've got a shot.
6. Pit - Excellent defense and Roethlisberger, while not what he was, does have two SB titles, so he knows how to get it done.
That's it. Everyone else is a pretender, IMO.
What a complete and utter mess this organization is and continues to be.I feel like you ranked the Jets too high on the list.
I love that their only claim to fame this century is back to back AFC Championship games... and then the Pats proceeded to go to eight straight.What a complete and utter mess this organization is and continues to be.
They had a couple of flashes in the 1980's, one in the late 1990's after they hired Parcells away from the Patriots and two back to back in 2010 and 2011 and that's been it for the past 50 years.
FIFTY years of futility, buffoonery and clownfuckery.
It's incredible for a team to be that bad for that long, only the Lions are worse in the entire league over that 50 year span, the Jets have been to four AFCCG's while the Lions got to the NFCCG once over that span, you could maybe throw the Cardinals in there too.
For accuracy purposes, you really should add about 48 "gaps" between Team 15 and Team 16.1. Kansas City
2. Baltimore
3. Pittsburgh
4. Buffalo
5. New England
6. Tennessee
Gap
7. Indy
8. Las Vegas
9. Cleveland
10. LAC
11. Houston
Gap
12. Miami
13. Cincy
14. Denver
15. Jacksonville
16. New York Jets
I agree they are a hard team to judge. They were 0-3 in 2017 and still won the division.I think Houston is being rated too low. They are still an open question. Lost to the 2 best and then played a 1 score game against Pitt. I'm trying to think who wouldn't be 0-3 against this schedule. It's not a long list.
Because not 2 current NFL teams in Nashville, not 2 in Las Vegas, not 2 in Baltimore etc.Edit: also why is Tennessee not née Houston, Vegas née Oak, Indy née Baltimore, Baltimore née Cleveland...
That's fair, although there aren't 2 LA AFC teams...Because not 2 current NFL teams in Nashville, not 2 in Las Vegas, not 2 in Baltimore etc.
Good Florida catch
One of which was gifted to them when the undefeated Colts who were leading in the game decided to sit Manning and a bunch of starters in the second half and handed the Jets a win, a win they needed to get into the playoffs.I love that their only claim to fame this century is back to back AFC Championship games... and then the Pats proceeded to go to eight straight.
Why are you using the feminine form for the Chargers?1. Kansas City
2. Pittsburgh
3. Buffalo
4. New England
5. Baltimore
6. Tennessee
7. Indy
8. Las Vegas
9. Los Angeles née San Diego
10. Houston
11. Cleveland
12. Miami [ed. good catch t4w]
13. Jacksonville
14. Cincinnati
15. Denver
16. J-E-T-S
1) KC (LW: 1) - still the class of the conference, even though they've looked "meh" in two games1) KC (LW: 2) - head and shoulders above the rest
2) BAL (LW: 1) - Jackson is now 0-3 vs. KC
3) PIT (LW: 3) - good on both sides of the ball
4) BUF (LW: 4) - got lucky on the PI call, but did build a 25 point lead against a decent team
5) TEN (LW: 5) - 3-0 despite being +6 in point differential. But they continue to win
6) NE (LW: 6) - defense has been underwhelming so far
7) IND (LW: 10) - best point differential in the AFC so far, believe it or not
8) LVR (LW: 7) - tough breaks with the turnovers and injuries, but this is a very good offense and competitive team
9) HOU (LW: 8) - another tough loss. Brutal schedule but this team isn't nearly as bad as their record
10) CLE (LW: 12) - above .500 for the first time in forever. Counts for something
11) LAC (LW: 9) - really bad home loss to Carolina
12) MIA (LW: 13) - handled business vs. Jax
13) DEN (LW: 11) - tough breaks so far
14) JAX (LW: 14) - I don't believe in Minschew
15) CIN (LW: 16) - at least they didn't lose?
16) NYJ (LW: 15) - Gase gets canned after they lose on TNF
Game isn’t even over! Cold j-man!1 KC
2 TENN
3 PITT
4 CLE
5 BALT
6 BUFF
7 NE
8 LV
9 INDY
10 MIA
11 LAC
12 DEN
13 HOU
14 CINY
15 JAX
16 NYJ
How is KC that far ahead of NE? They have looked meh in the majority of there games and maybe don't beat NE with Cam.1. KC
2. PITT
3. TENN
4. BAL
5. BUFF
6. NE
7. CLE
8. IND
9. LV
10. MIA
11. LAC
12. HOU
13. CIN
14. JAX
15. DEN
16. J-E-T-S
Because it's football and week to week teams play above or below their heads, a lot doing with matchups and gameplans. They are far better than NE, they had a bad night, we had a good one and we had the better plan of attack despite the COVID crap. The best team doesn't always win the Super Bowl.How is KC that far ahead of NE? They have looked meh in the majority of there games and maybe don't beat NE with Cam.
I really want to demote KC, not because they lost, but because they've looked pretty ordinary in a bunch of their games. But I can't elevate Baltimore because they can't beat KC; I'm not ready to elevate Tennessee either because their first 3 wins were by a combined 6 points.1) KC (LW: 1) - still the class of the conference, even though they've looked "meh" in two games
2) BAL (LW: 2) - nice bounce back, still concerns about Jackson in big games / vs. KC
3) PIT (LW: 3) - can't penalize them for not playing
4) BUF (LW: 4) - took care of business, fairly similar game to when the Pats played the Raiders actually
5) TEN (LW: 5) - ditto Pittsburgh comment
6) NE (LW: 6) - gutsy effort with zero practices after the Cam news, flying in day of game, etc.
7) IND (LW: 7) - D is much better than I thought
8) CLE (LW: 10) - incredible ground game
9) LVR (LW: 8) - offense moves the ball but shoots itself in the foot way too much, and the D is just not god
10) MIA (LW: 12) - they have showed well against two legit contenders and a third playoff team
11) LAC (LW: 11) - Herbert has played decently, unfortunately I think Lynn is not long for a HC job
12) HOU (LW: 9) - still not as bad as their record
13) DEN (LW: 13) - finally got a W
14) CIN (LW: 15) - Burrow is exciting
15) JAX (LW: 14) - week 1 looking more and more like a fluke
16) NYJ (LW: 16) - LOL
It's true. But on the flip side, the Titans first 3 wins were by 6 total points; Buffalo could have easily lost to the Rams if they didn't get the PI call; etc. I think you can group the Steelers, Titans, Bills, and maybe Pats into a group of teams that I think would not be favored against KC or Baltimore, but against each other on a neutral field it would be hard to pick a favorite.Seems like Pitt is getting a lot of love. But they have beaten the Giants, Eagles, Houston, and Broncos. Those teams have a combined 3 wins after 5 weeks. And it's not like they ran away in any of those games.
Not sure about that team yet.
I think this is right.It's true. But on the flip side, the Titans first 3 wins were by 6 total points; Buffalo could have easily lost to the Rams if they didn't get the PI call; etc. I think you can group the Steelers, Titans, Bills, and maybe Pats into a group of teams that I think would not be favored against KC or Baltimore, but against each other on a neutral field it would be hard to pick a favorite.
Yeah, I also think KC has a second gear that nobody else has. Maybe BAL too if Lamar starts playing better. I think anyone in the second tier has the capability of beating KC/BAL on the right day, as we saw last year with TEN, but each of those teams has a lower ceiling. If anyone makes the leap from 2 to 1, I think it’ll be PIT.I think this is right.
KC and Bal are top 2 teams. KC is top because they are Bal’s kryptonite.
BUF/NE/PIT/TEN make up next tier. I listed them by alphabet. Hard to separate them too much.
after them are what I call the Wannabes. Wannabe a contender, but realistically won’t be.
Cleveland plays at Pitt this week. If they can win the game, the rankings will see a considerable adjustment.I think PITT and TENN are a clear 3/4 or 4/3 and until the Patriots regain some stability post-virus, BUFF is 5
I'm not good with it. Denver is terrible. They should not be ahead of Miami, let alone NE, despite this weekend.The last two posts are really feeling Miami putting them over NE. I enjoy a good underdog story as much as the next guy but maybe we should pump the brakes on a team that beat the Jets, Jags, and 49ers second string.
I'm good with j-man enjoying his high by putting Denver above NE as well...
Toughest week yet to run the rankingsI really want to demote KC, not because they lost, but because they've looked pretty ordinary in a bunch of their games. But I can't elevate Baltimore because they can't beat KC; I'm not ready to elevate Tennessee either because their first 3 wins were by a combined 6 points.
1) KC (LW: 1) - they have now looked "meh" in 3 of their 5 games; but they own Baltimore, and still have the best player in the conference
2) BAL (LW: 2) - they take care of business against inferior opponents. Ruthless.
3) TEN (LW: 5) - finally a dominant performance after squeaking by in their first three games
4) PIT (LW: 3) - continue to play very solid
5) BUF (LW: 4) - I can't ding them too much for one lousy game
6) NE (LW: 6) - need Cam & Gilmore back
7) CLE (LW: 8) - defense played really well against Indy
8) LVR (LW: 9) - took advantage of KC's defensive issues, and D played well enough to win
9) IND (LW: 7) - lousy performance against Cleveland
10) MIA (LW: 10) - this is a team that will compete every week
11) HOU (LW: 12) - still better than their record
12) LAC (LW: 11) - this team just can't close out games
13) DEN (LW: 13) - I have nothing to say about them
14) CIN (LW: 14) - looked awful vs. the Ravens but what rookie QBs don't
15) JAX (LW: 15) - weren't really competitive vs. Houston
16) NYJ (LW: 16) - running out of things to say
I can't argue with any of this, it's all on point.I'm not good with it. Denver is terrible. They should not be ahead of Miami, let alone NE, despite this weekend.
Although a case can be made for Miami ahead of NE. NE's offense could just be horrendous. Maybe it was the lack of practice, but look at Tennessee. The thing about the Pats is that you do expect them to get better as the season progresses. But their offense sucks. They don't have any tight ends. Edelman is washed. The running backs, excluding White's pass catching, are just average.
Harry, relative to so many studs who have been drafted over the past two years, absolutely sucks. I will not hear any more commentary about Harry needing time. Justin Jefferson. Chase Claypool. Do they need time?
The two highest picks that BB has used on a WR are Chad Jackson (36) and N'Keal Harry (32)I can't argue with any of this, it's all on point.
And yes, Denver does suck, six field goals, zero TD's, 3 turnovers, one of which killed a drive that probably at least would have resulted in a FG, another was a lucky deflection that was picked off by a lineman if I am not mistaken doing his best Lynn Swann impression, they were gifted 6 points, their QB practically handed the Patriots a win with his shitshow of a 4th quarter.
The Patriots offense is just that, offensive. ZERO skill set in the tight end group, the WR's are horrible, what does Belichick expect Cam to do with that hot garbage assortment of talent.
I have to think/hope Edelman is dealing with some sort of upper body injury as he looked very good in the Seattle game but has tailed off since then, he made a great diving catch on a long throw from Cam in that game and he landed funny, I am thinking that's when he hurt himself.
And I've given up on Harry, he's nothing more than a JAG. what a wasted first round pick, not sure what they saw in him, but he's awful.
The Patriots have become that team who used to come in here in the divisional round week and get pummeled as the Patriots marched towards another AFCCG/Super Bowl appearance...........and I'm kidding myself at this point thinking they are even one of those teams.