There has been a lot of bad football played this season, but not a lot of it in the AFC West.
That division has grabbed the title of best in football this season, and it could be one where they beat up on each other in the final nine weeks. It's survival of the fittest.
The Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders are both 6-2, with the Kansas City Chiefs at 5-2. All three are in the top 10 of my latest power rankings. The San Diego Chargers are 3-5 in last place, but a break here and there and they could easily be 6-2 or better.
As we head to the final nine weeks, there are still a lot of big games that match the division teams. Denver plays Oakland twice, starting Sunday night in the Black Hole at Oakland. The Broncos and Chiefs still play twice, while the Chiefs and Raiders have one game left. Those Chargers games won't be easy for any of them either.
The only other division that could make a case as being the best in the league right now is the NFC East with Dallas, Washington, the Eagles and the Giants. No team in that division has a losing record, but it's not as top-heavy either.
The Broncos remain the highest-ranked AFC West team here in the third spot, with the Chiefs fifth and the Raiders sixth.
I can't wait to watch Derek Carr go against that Denver secondary this week in Oakland. He's coming off a 513-yard, four-touchdown game that certainly has to have to the attention of the Broncos' "No-fly zone" secondary.
So say it again: AFC West is best -- for now.
| Rk | Teams | Chg | Rcrd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | -- | 0-0-0 | |
It's hard to believe but Tom Brady is as good as he's ever been. They are the class of this league.
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| 2 | -- | 0-0-0 | |
At 6-1, they almost have to stay with Dak Prescott now. He showed some magic late against the Eagles.
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| 3 | 3 | 0-0-0 | |
It must be nice to have that defense to not only defend but score like they did against the Chargers. They face that big one this week with Oakland.
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| 4 | 3 | 1-0-0 | |
After their bye, they are 3-0. Andy Reid knows how to use that week to fix his team.
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| 5 | 3 | 0-0-0 | |
That was a much-needed victory against the Packers to break a two-game losing streak. Matt Ryan came up big on the winning drive.
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| 6 | 3 | 0-0-0 | |
Derek Carr was special at Tampa Bay. Now he has to try to replicate that against that Denver defense.
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| 7 | 4 | 0-0-0 | |
Their offensive line is killing this team. Can it be fixed to turn it around after two bad losses?
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| 8 | 3 | 0-0-0 | |
They just can't get anything going on offense. They have one offensive touchdown the past two games.
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| 9 | 5 | 0-1-0 | |
They've had a ton of injuries that really showed up on defense in the loss to the Falcons. At least the offense showed some life.
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| 10 | -- | 1-0-0 | |
At some point, they have to get the ball down the field in the passing game. Or it will show up every week like it did last week at Dallas.
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| 11 | 3 | 0-0-0 | |
They might be getting back Ben Roethlisberger sooner than expected coming out of their bye. Without him, they are ordinary.
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| 12 | 10 | 0-0-0 | |
They head to their bye in first place in the division at 5-3, but do we really know how good they are right now? They are undefeated at home.
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| 13 | 2 | 0-0-0 | |
At 4-3, they come out of their bye in the mix in the NFC East. And they really haven't looked all that great yet either.
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| 14 | 3 | 0-0-0 | |
Tying Cincinnati in London might actually help them in the long run. They are off this week.
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| 15 | 3 | 0-0-0 | |
Their defense, which had been a team strength, just isn't good right now. Kirk Cousins carved it to shreds.
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| 16 | 4 | 0-0-0 | |
What has happened to this team? They aren't playing terrible football, but they head to the bye at 3-4-1.
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| 17 | 4 | 0-0-0 | |
All that momentum they seemed to be building went away with the loss to the Texans. Now they have to get back on track against the Vikings.
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| 18 | 7 | 0-0-0 | |
They are the best 3-5 team in the league. In that tough division, that might not give them a playoff chance.
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| 19 | 3 | 0-0-0 | |
They are 3-5 and just haven't had a chance to build any momentum. There are too many holes on the roster.
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| 20 | 1 | 0-0-0 | |
Coming out of their bye, they have a soft part of this schedule the next five weeks. They can get on a roll.
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| 21 | 1 | 0-0-0 | |
All the playoff talk has quieted with two consecutive losses. Now comes a brutal trip to Seattle for a Monday night game.
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| 22 | 1 | 0-0-0 | |
They just don't have the talent on defense to compete every week, especially against good offenses. Here comes Atlanta and that explosive unit.
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| 23 | -- | 0-0-0 | |
That might have been a must-win against Seattle last Sunday. Now they have a long road trip to San Francisco.
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| 24 | -- | 0-0-0 | |
At 4-4, the "Exotic Smashmouth" style has them in the playoff race. Can you believe it?
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| 25 | -- | 0-0-0 | |
Will they ever make the quarterback change to Jared Goff? Throw him in there.
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| 26 | -- | 0-0-0 | |
Winning on the road against the Browns wasn't easy, but nothing is with this team. Now comes a division game at Miami against the Dolphins.
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| 27 | -- | 0-1-0 | |
They lost four straight before their bye last week and just don't look good. Can they turn it around?
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| 28 | 1 | 0-0-0 | |
The Panthers we saw last week against the Cardinals is the team we expected to see this season. Can they turn it all the way around?
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| 29 | 1 | 0-0-0 | |
That was a nice victory over the Vikings. Is there any doubt now about Jay Cutler as the starter?
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| 30 | 2 | 0-0-0 | |
Will firing offensive coordinator Greg Olson do anything to get this team going? Gus Bradley has to know it's over -- barring a miracle
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| 31 | -- | 0-0-0 | |
This is a team that is playing for the future. But how many of these players will be included in that future?
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| 32 | -- | 0-0-0 | |
Every week they fight until the end in games. At some point, that will get them a victory.
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