David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The ninth Monday of the NFL season has come and gone, which means it’s time for an updated AFC power rankings. Because Musket Fire is a New England Patriots site, we like to focus on just one conference every Monday morning. Here are your Week 10 AFC power rankings:
Next: 15. San Diego Chargers
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 14. Tennessee Titans
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 13. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 12. Houston Texans
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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12
Houston Texans
AFC South, 3-5
Despite their ranking here at No. 12, the Texans are just a hair behind the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC South lead. The driving force behind the Texans still being relevant is DeAndre Hopkins, who seems to get better each game. It doesn’t matter who’s playing quarterback for the Texans, Hopkins sees double digits in targets every time he suits up, and he’s the NFL’s third-leading receiver as a result (behind Julio Jones and Antonio Brown).
The Texans face some stiff AFC tests in the next two weeks. First, they hit the road to face the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals, and then they play host to the respectable New York Jets. Beating the Bengals in their home jungle is a tall order, but the Jets game is certainly within reach. All the Texans have to do is keep the Colts in striking distance.
Next: 11. Baltimore Ravens
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 10. Miami Dolphins
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 9. Kansas City Chiefs
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 8. Buffalo Bills
Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 7. Indianapolis Colts
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
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7
Indianapolis Colts
AFC South, 4-5
The Colts made the previously undefeated Broncos looked significantly less menacing on Sunday afternoon, and much of that can be attributed to Andrew Luck returning to the form that had media pundits convinced he is a future Hall of Famer. For only the second time this season, Luck avoided throwing an interception, and he is no longer the league leader in interceptions thrown (Peyton Manning is).
Claps are deserved for the Indy offensive line, which protected Luck well enough, only surrendering one sack to the lethal Denver pass rush. With a bye week to enjoy, Luck can rest up and the Colts can prepare for three of their next four games on the road, starting with a trip to Atlanta in Week 11. The AFC South is in the hands of Indy for now, but the Texans, Titans and Jaguars aren’t far behind.
Next: 6. New York Jets
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 5. Oakland Raiders
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 3. Denver Broncos
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Next: 2. Cincinnati Bengals
David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
The Bengals play in front of national television audiences in each of their next two games, so the general footballing public will get to know these cats a bit better.
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2
Cincinnati Bengals
AFC North, 8-0
Any other year, an undefeated Bengals team at the halfway mark of the regular season would be the biggest story in the league. The Bengals’ accomplishment has been overshadowed a bit by the other undefeated teams, but their feat is nonetheless very impressive.
Tyler Eifert continued his ascendance in the NFL’s tight end ranks, snagging three touchdowns on Thursday Night Football. The Patriots are probably the only other team in the NFL with so many weapons on offense; Eifert, A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill provide no shortage of targets for Andy Dalton.
The Bengals play in front of national television audiences in each of their next two games, so the general footballing public will get to know these cats a bit better.
Next: 1. New England Patriots
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports