Where Do the Browns Land in the Week 6 AFC Power Rankings?
The dust has settled on Week 6 and it was an incredible weekend of football. Week 6 had everything a fan could want from blowouts to upsets, great defenses, great offenses and a whole lot of action.
From bottom to top, let's rank the AFC a third of the way through the year.
16. New England Patriots (1-5)
It's still weird watching New England knowing that they have no chance to win a football game. A reset must be on the table since Tom Brady isn't walking through the door anytime soon.
15. Denver Broncos (1-5)
The only reason they are 15 is because I can't have a tie for 16. It is equally shocking when Denver is on the field knowing that they don't have a chance. Denver would do anything for 2014 Russell to show up, but he is long gone. Look out for a fire-sale in Mile-High.
14. Tennessee Titans (2-4)
Believe it or not, the Titans are the only other team in the AFC below .500. They went across the pond and slept-walked through a battle against the Ravens. This is a weird one because just two weeks ago, they dominated the Bengals but have dropped two since then.
13. Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)
The Raiders took care of business against the Patriots in Week 6, but it was far too close. Things have not looked smooth all year for the Raiders and losing Jimmy Garoppolo isn't going to help anything. Maxx Crosby is one lone bright spot for the Raiders.
12. Los Angeles Chargers (2-3)
The Chargers have been on a roller coaster this season. Just as easily as this team could be 4-1, they could be 1-4. They have three losses of three points or less to go along with wins of four and seven points. With Justin Herbert dealing with a broken middle finger, this season doesn't feel great in LA.
11. Indianapolis Colts (3-3)
The Colts have some real issues in a year that started with much promise. Rumor has it that Anthony Richardson might need surgery on his shoulder after an injury in Week 5. Gardner Minshew has the reigns for this team, but I'm not sure how much magic he has left.
10. Houston Texans (3-3)
C.J. Stroud looks like he is a seasoned veteran. He finally threw his first interception of the year and of his career! He matched that with 199 yards and two touchdowns in the 20-13 win over New Orleans. He looks so good early in his career and DeMeco Ryans has the Texans franchise pointed in the right direction.
Oct 8, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
© Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)
This may be the last week that the Bengals are on the outside looking in. While they aren't totally right, they are trending in the right direction. Joe Burrow started Sunday's game 17-for-19 and led two immediate scoring drives. They cooled off but still got the win against the Seattle Seahawks. Back-to-back victories has this Bengals team knocking on the door.
8. New York Jets (3-3)
What a victory the Jets had against the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles. The story of this game was the Jets defense. This group is Super Bowl caliber and was able to turn Philly over four times, including three Jalen Hurts interceptions.
7. Cleveland Browns (3-2)
Wow did the Browns shock the world on Sunday. In a must-win scenario without their starting tackle, guard, running back and quarterback, their defense came up big to knock off the previously undefeated 49ers. With the same record, I can't justify putting them above the Steelers until they avenge the Week 2 debacle.
Oct 15, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)
Without two of the most bizarre games in the NFL this season, the Steelers would be 1-5. However, the Steelers are the Steelers and have manufactured a 3-2 record in the most unsustainable way possible. It took two defensive touchdowns for them to beat the Browns and the Ravens to drop eight passes for them to escape with victories. Regardless, they are above .500 and would be in the playoffs if they started today.
5. Buffalo Bills (3-2)
The Bills are on a pretty wild roller coaster ride. They fell to the Jets in Week 1, they responded with huge wins over the Raiders, Commanders and Dolphins. That win streak ended with a puzzling loss to the Jags. This week, they escaped with a victory over the Giants that saw the Giants fail to score twice from the one-yard line. This team could beat anyone, but could also lose to everyone.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)
Three straight huge wins by the Jaguars have given them a tight hold as the leader in the AFC South. Their season was looking very bleak coming off of a head-scratching blowout loss to the Texans. Since then, they have ripped off three straight and look like a team that could be in the conversation this year.
Oct 8, 2023; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) jumps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL International Series game against the Buffalo Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
© Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports
3. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
Baltimore is eight drops away from being 5-1 and they have looked the part. their defense is loaded and Lamar Jackson looks incredibly comfortable in Todd Monken's offense. As long as Jackson is playing well, the Ravens will be incredibly tough to beat.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)
Don't let Chiefs' fatigue lead you to believe that Kansas City is not a contender. It does not matter who suits up at wide receiver for KC, until Patrick Mahomes is no longer the quarterback, they will always be a top team in the AFC.
1. Miami Dolphins (5-1)
Miami came into Sunday as 13-point favorites. They proceeded to go down 14-0 to the Panthers and still covered the spread. It is true; speed definitely does kill and Miami has all of it. Good luck trying to defend this team and slow down this historic offense.
