Re-evaluating the AFC after 5 weeks
All of the league's AFC teams are through the first five weeks of the season. Much has changed since the season began and much has turned out as expected. Let's take a look at the landscape of the American Football Conference and those making an early claim for a playoff spot.
AFC East
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| New England Patriots | 4-1 |
| Buffalo Bills | 3-2 |
| New York Jets | 1-4 |
| Miami Dolphins | 1-4 |
What a difference a month makes. Two weeks into the season, the Bills were on course for a disastrous season in which their head coach would surely be fired. Three weeks later, Buffalo has the second best record in the AFC East.
The team with the best record in the division successfully navigated the four-week absence of Tom Brady. The rest of the division was afforded their best opportunity to get a leg up on the Patriots. Instead, New England appears on its way to an eighth consecutive AFC East title. Don't look past the Jets just yet. The toughest stretch in their schedule is over in a week. They can make a run as their competition lightens up.
AFC North
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 4-1 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 3-2 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 2-3 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0-5 |
The Steelers own a share of the best record in the conference and they figure to remain in the conversation the rest of the season. They were humbled by the Eagles, but have Le'Veon Bell back in their lineup.
The Ravens and Bengals remain just a step behind their division rival, and there's no reason to believe either team will slip out of the discussion anytime soon either. It's possible three playoff teams could come out of this division.
AFC South
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 3-2 |
| Tennessee Titans | 2-3 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2-3 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 1-3 |
As expected, no team has separated itself from the pack. Houston has lost two of their last three, but they own a win over Tennessee, the current second-place team. It'll be awhile before a leader emerges from this crop of contenders, and subsequently that means even the team at the bottom of the standings will have a say on how this division will play out.
The Jaguars and Colts still have time to make their cases for a turnaround.
AFC West
| Team | Result |
|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 4-1 |
| Oakland Raiders | 4-1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2-2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 1-4 |
The most competitive division in the AFC to date. The Broncos have proven they won't just cede the division to their opponents after a Super Bowl triumph. The Raiders and Chiefs will have to come and take it from them. Barring injury, including the current shoulder malady to Trevor Siemian, Denver will be a contender all season.
The Raiders have gunned their way to four early wins and have all six of their division matchups still to come. The head-to-head matchups will determine who will not only win the division but contend for a wild-card spot. The Chiefs will have to go the final 12 weeks of the season without the benefit of a bye week. It will be a battle to the end. For all intents and purposes, the Chargers' season is done.