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AFC Week 6 Power Rankings: A New Leader
Oct 12, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) attempts to run the ball while Cleveland Browns defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) pursues during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

AFC Week 6 Power Rankings: A New Leader

Originally posted on EasySportz  |  By Lee Bushkell  |  Last updated Oct 14, 2025 4:22 PM ET

It was a week of utter chaos in the AFC as we crossed the halfway mark of the regular season! Week 6 saw the Bills, Ravens, and Bengals all suffer losses, leading to a new team claiming the best record in the conference and a massive reshuffling of the playoff picture. While the AFC has recently been the stronger conference, the conference is quite frankly a total mess.

Here are the updated AFC power rankings heading into Week 7.

AFC Power Rankings: Week 6 Shakes the Table

Tier 1: The New Top Dogs

  1. Indianapolis Colts (5-1, AFC South Leader) The Colts are officially the team to beat in the AFC. They secured their fifth win by taking down the Cardinals 31-27. Shane Steichen has maximized their offensive talent, and they currently boast the best record in the entire conference. They are disciplined, powerful, and rising fast. Next Week: at Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday, 4:05 PM ET)
  2. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1, AFC North Leader) The Steelers proved they run the AFC North, dominating the Browns 23-9 to win their third straight game. With the rest of the division collapsing, the Steelers now have a commanding lead and the AFC’s second-best winning percentage. Their defense is fierce, and the offense is doing just enough. Next Week: at Cincinnati Bengals (Thursday, 8:15 PM ET)

Tier 2: Playoff Contenders


Oct 12, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
  1. Los Angeles Chargers (4-2, AFC West Leader) The Chargers got a crucial win, edging the Dolphins 29-27, and now sit atop a messy AFC West. Justin Herbert continues to deliver late-game heroics, overcoming a late Dolphins surge to secure their fourth win. Next Week: vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 4:05 PM ET)
  2. Denver Broncos (4-2) Quietly, the Broncos have rattled off three straight wins, the latest a defensive masterclass in London, beating the Jets 13-11. This team is committed to a defensive identity, which is keeping them right in the mix for the AFC West title. Next Week: vs. New York Giants (Sunday, 4:05 PM ET)
  3. New England Patriots (4-2, AFC East Leader) The Patriots are the most surprising division leader in the NFL. They won their third straight game, beating the Saints 25-19. They hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bills and are proving to be extremely difficult to beat thanks to a balanced attack. Next Week: at Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) The Jaguars suffered a disappointing 20-12 home loss to the Seahawks, largely due to seven sacks allowed. While they still hold a strong 4-2 record, they need to protect Trevor Lawrence better if they want to stay ahead of the surging Colts in the South. Next Week (In London): vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 9:30 AM ET)
  5. Buffalo Bills (4-2) The Bills are trending down after losing their second straight game, falling to the Falcons 24-14 on Monday night. The offense is sputtering, and the team seems disjointed. They desperately need the upcoming bye week to regroup. Next Week: BYE

Tier 3: The Wildcard Race


Oct 12, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) makes a throw against the Detroit Lions during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
  1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-3) The Chiefs finally secured a necessary win, defeating the Lions 30-17. They are now 3-3, and while they look far from their dominant selves, they have stabilized their season just in time for a crucial divisional stretch. Next Week: vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
  2. Houston Texans (2-3) The Texans had a bye week after winning two in a row. They are the definition of a wild card—capable of beating anyone when healthy, and they get their star QB back refreshed. Next Week (Monday Night Football): at Seattle Seahawks (Monday, 8:15 PM ET)
  3. Las Vegas Raiders (2-4) The Raiders got a much-needed win over the Titans 20-10. The defense played well, forcing three turnovers, which is a key step toward correcting their early-season struggles. Next Week: at Kansas City Chiefs (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)

Tier 4: In Crisis


Oct 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) is sacked by Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (54) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
  1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) The Bengals’ season is spiraling after a 27-18 loss to the Packers. The offense looks broken, leading to their fourth straight loss. Their season is on the line this Thursday in a massive divisional game. Next Week (Thursday Night Football): vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Thursday, 8:15 PM ET)
  2. Baltimore Ravens (1-5) The Ravens lost to the Rams 17-3 on Sunday. They had a tough month of October and desperately need the bye week to get healthy and salvage what remains of their season. Next Week: BYE
  3. Miami Dolphins (1-5) The Dolphins lost another close one to the Chargers 29-27, coupled with post-game locker room drama, making this team look like a lost cause. Their season is over, and they are now focused on damage control. Next Week: at Cleveland Browns (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
  4. Tennessee Titans (1-5) The Titans drop another one, falling 20-10 to the Raiders. Their offense is struggling to score, and their record puts them nearly out of the playoff picture. Next Week: vs. New England Patriots (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
  5. Cleveland Browns (1-5) The Browns are in freefall after their 23-9 loss to the Steelers. The offense couldn’t manage a single touchdown, and the promising defense is getting worn down. Next Week: vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)
  6. New York Jets (0-6) The Jets’ offense is historically bad. They lost to the Broncos 13-11 in a game where their net passing yards were negative. They are winless and showing no signs of turning the corner. Next Week: vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)

Week 7 Preview: AFC Showdowns

The schedule features critical matchups that will define the rest of the AFC season:

  • Rivalry on TNF: The Steelers visit the Bengals in a game Cincy must win to keep their season alive.
  • Contender Clash: The Colts take their conference-best record to Los Angeles to face the Chargers.
  • The Showdown: The Raiders travel to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs in a pivotal divisional battle for the struggling Chiefs.
  • Monday Night Doubleheader: The Texans return from their bye to face the Seahawks, followed by the Buccaneers vs. Lions.

This article first appeared on EasySportz and was syndicated with permission.

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