NFL power rankings, AFC edition: Chiefs, Ravens loom on top

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 19: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after defeating the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Titans 35-24. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans, #4 (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

8. Houston Texans

It is almost unfathomable that a team which found itself leading the eventual Super Bowl Champions 24-0 in the divisional round of the playoffs may very well find itself out of the playoffs a year later.

When you couple that positioning with the fact that they have the second best young quarterback in football and one of the league’s best defensive stars, and then you’re really left scratching your head.

So, how could the Houston Texans find themselves here after being so close just five months ago?

Look no further than its head coach & general manager, Bill O’Brien. A season ago O’Brien erred colossally by failing to resign safety Tyrann Mathieu. This offseason, he upped the anty, trading the team’s best player, wide receiver De’Andre Hopkins, for peanuts in the form of a second round draft pick and a vastly overpaid, past his prime running back in David Johnson.

As long as O’Brien is allowed to serve as the team’s head coach and (or?) general manager – the team will come up short in the end.

7. Denver Broncos

John Elway sure seems convinced that quarterback Drew Lock is finally the answer to his seemingly unanswerable question as the quarterback of the future for the Denver Broncos. Time will tell if he’s finally got it right, but even if he hasn’t, he has surrounded the second year signal caller with enough talent that they should compete for a playoff spot in 2020.

The team adds the draft’s top wideout in Jerry Jeudy to pair with tight end Noah Fant, and rising star Courtland Sutton in the passing ranks. And, joining Pro Bowl running back Phillip Lindsey in the backfield is fellow Pro Bowl rusher Melvin Gordon.

Yes, their record is likely to be buoyed by playing the Raiders and Chargers each twice, but it also seems likely that the Broncos also legitimately good. The defense, when healthy, is still among the best in football. And, even if they’ve admitted they cannot stop All-World MVP Patrick Mahomes, they will still make plenty of plays to let Lock, and his weaponry, compete.

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