The Patriots have reigned atop the AFC through much of the 2016 NFL season, but if New England stumbles, a once-overlooked franchise will have risen from the ashes to meet Tom Brady at the top.
2016 NFL standings: The AFC West aims to unseat the Patriots from the top spot
Three of the West’s four teams have seven wins through Week 10.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
After the Patriots’ 31-24 loss to the Seahawks, they still hold the top spot in the AFC, but only because they have a better conference record than the Raiders and Chiefs. All three teams are currently 7-2.
The Oakland Raiders can finally call their rebuilding effort a success thanks to the development of homegrown players like Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, and Khalil Mack. They’re one more Patriots loss from staking their claim as the conference’s top team. After Sunday’s win over the Panthers, the Chiefs are right there with them, too.
The Raiders and Chiefs stand atop the AFC’s toughest division. The West has been a tempest of good football this fall thanks to Oakland’s emerging offense, Denver’s brutal defense, and Kansas City’s all-around proficiency. Even San Diego, despite its 4-6 record, has been one of the conference’s tougher opponents.
New England doesn’t have similar competition in the East. Bills head coach Rex Ryan conceded the division to the Pats back in Week 8, and it’s tough to argue with the assessment. Miami looks like the most likely choice to ride to the No. 2 spot through January thanks to a weak schedule and the emergence of running back/mythical beast Jay Ajayi, while the Bills are mired below .500 despite a 4-2 start. The Dolphins rallied to beat the Chargers on Sunday thanks to a timely pick-six from linebacker Kiko Alonso. Miami is now 5-4 on the season.
The Baltimore Ravens control the AFC North by virtue of their recent two-game winning streak. Victories over the Steelers and Browns have Joe Flacco on pace to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Pittsburgh, which looked like the division’s early favorite after a 3-1 start, struggled with a hobbled Ben Roethlisberger in Weeks 6-9 but rebounded in Week 10 for a solid performance despite a home loss to the streaking Cowboys.
Last, and also probably least, is the AFC South. The Houston Texans hold down the top spot, but they’ll have to fend off a surge from the division’s traditional champion, Indianapolis. Tennessee, which upset Green Bay in Nashville on Sunday, is in the mix at 5-5 on the season but can only claim a divisional win over Jacksonville.
| AFC East | W | L | T | Division record | Conference record |
| New England Patriots | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2-1 | 6-1 |
| Miami Dolphins | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2-1 | 5-3 |
| Buffalo Bills | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1-3 | 1-4 |
| New York Jets | 3 | 7 | 0 | 1-1 | 3-4 |
| AFC North | W | L | T | Division record | Conference record |
| Baltimore Ravens | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3-0 | 5-2 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1-1 | 3-3 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1-1 | 3-3 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0-3 | 0-7 |
| AFC South | W | L | T | Division record | Conference record |
| Houston Texans | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3-0 | 4-2 |
| Tennessee Titans | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1-2 | 3-4 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1-2 | 2-4 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1-2 | 1-6 |
| AFC West | W | L | T | Division record | Conference record |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2-0 | 5-2 |
| Oakland Raiders | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2-1 | 5-1 |
| Denver Broncos | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1-2 | 4-2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1-3 | 3-5 |
* * *
The Saints lost in a rare, controversial way
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