Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
The sixth Sunday of the NFL season has come and gone, which means it’s time for another onslaught of power rankings. Because this is a New England Patriots site, we like to focus on the AFC and the AFC only. So here’s your Week 7 edition of our weekly AFC power rankings:
Next: 15. Kansas City Chiefs
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 14. Baltimore Ravens
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 13. Jacksonville Jaguars
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 12. Miami Dolphins
Oct 18, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Dion Sims (80) celebrates after a touchdown with tight end Jordan Cameron (84) during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. The Dolphins won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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12
Miami Dolphins
AFC East, 2-3
This is what the 2015 Miami Dolphins were supposed to be. The 28-point victory over the Titans in Week 6 was characterized by a 100-yard day for Lamar Miller, a four-sack outing for Cameron Wake and a 22-yard touchdown rush from wideout Jarvis Landry, among other notables.
Fantasy players, keep an eye on Jordan Cameron heading forward. The Dolphins’ new head coach, Dan Campbell, was previously the team’s tight ends coach. It’s probably not a coincidence that Cameron hauled in a touchdown grab against the Titans; he should have opportunities when the Dolphins play host to the Texans next week.
Next: 11. Houston Texans
Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 10. San Diego Chargers
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 9. Cleveland Browns
James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 8. Oakland Raiders
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 7. Indianapolis Colts
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
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7
Indianapolis Colts
AFC South, 3-3
Exactly what was running through Chuck Pagano’s head on that botched fake punt is a mystery. The Colts were just six points down at that point, and their defense had displayed competence covering Rob Gronkowski. Why not just have Pat MacAfee boot the ball way down the field and make the Patriots work for it a bit more?
It’s not just the fake punt; the Colts played last night like they had to outsmart the Patriots to win. This was also evidenced by the failed onside kick after Mike Adams’ pick-six. The Patriots just aren’t a team you can expect to beat by playing all cute and whipping out trick plays every other possession. The fact of the matter is the Colts are 3-3 a week before October, and they look every bit the part of a mediocre squad.
Next: 6. Buffalo Bills
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 4. New York Jets
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 3. Denver Broncos
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 2. Cincinnati Bengals
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
For now, the Bengals must prepare for a puzzlingly good Steelers team if they want to remain in the land of the unbeaten.
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2
Cincinnati Bengals
AFC North, 6-0
Leaping over the Broncos for the No. 2 spot are the Bengals, who are proving to be more balanced than Denver. Andy Dalton continued to build his MVP resume on Sunday, connecting on two-thirds of his attempts for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill continued to look like the best one-two running back punch in the league, totaling 106 yards and a touchdown between them.
Two claps for Darqueze Dennard, who recorded his first career interception on Sunday. The youth movement in the Cincy secondary has been happening for some time (remember Terence Newman?), so it’s good to see the Bengals’ top pick in the 2014 NFL Draft making plays.
For now, the Bengals must prepare for a puzzlingly good Steelers team if they want to remain in the land of the unbeaten.
Next: 1. New England Patriots
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
It wasn’t the prettiest of victories, but a win on the road in primetime is a win on the road in primetime. The Patriots navigated through a charged atmosphere at LucasOil Stadium last night to remain atop these AFC power rankings. If you’ve been keeping up with these rankings, you know that the Patriots won’t budge until they lose a game in 2015.
Danny Amendola had himself a game last night, leading the Patriots in receptions (seven) as well as receiving yards (105). It was good to see ‘Dola pick up the slack when Julian Edelman was struggling to hold on to the ball, which resulted in a pick-six for Mike Adams, Tom Brady’s first interception of the year.
As predicted before the game here on Musket Fire, Chandler Jones was a standout performer, totaling 2.5 sacks of Andrew Luck. Hopefully, the Patriots will have Jabaal Sheard back next week to play alongside Jones for the showdown against the Jets.