NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Where does every AFC team stand?

Who has taken the #1 spot in the Week 9 AFC power rankings?

Power Rankings for the top nine teams in the AFC.

#9 - New England Patriots - (4-4)

Previous Ranking: 10

Next Week: vs. Carolina Panthers

The New England Patriots are steadily climbing the power rankings and beginning to turn things around, and that should worry the AFC East.

Even more so, it should worry the entire AFC. Bill Belichick is crafty and the Patriots can always become that dark horse playoff candidate.

#8 - Los Angeles Chargers - (4-3)

Previous Ranking: 6

Next Week: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

After such dominant wins over some very competitive teams, the Chargers seem to be regressing each week. They will continue to plummet in the power rankings with each loss.

Their blowout loss to the Ravens may have unearthed some of the deeper problems for this team. A win against the Eagles on Sunday will be much needed.

#7 - Pittsburgh Steelers - (4-3)

Previous Ranking: 8

Next Week: vs. Chicago Bears

With wins against the Broncos, Seahawks, and the Browns, the Steelers may not be doomed after all. The Steelers are climbing slowly in the power rankings.

Big Ben has been careful with the football and the defense is playing with a chip on their shoulders. A rough start may be in the past...for now.

#6 - Cleveland Browns - (4-4)

Previous Rank: 7

Next Week: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Although there are a myriad of injuries for the Cleveland Browns, they are still finding ways to remain competitive. They had a much-needed win against the Broncos last week but dropped the ball slightly to division rival Steelers.

The Browns are still a tough team to deal with.

#5 - Las Vegas Raiders - (5-2)

Previous Rank: 5

Next Week: vs. New York Giants

The Raiders had a bye week, so they are staying put for right now in the rankings. They have a softer opponent this week in the Giants, and a win would have them inching closer to creating distance within the AFC West.

A week off will make them a much more dangerous team.

#4 - Buffalo Bills - (5-2)

Previous Rank: 4

Next Week: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Bills put another beating on the Miami Dolphins but had a tough time getting scoring opportunities through three-quarters of the game. Perhaps their week off made them a bit rusty, or the Dolphins came alive for a brief moment.

Either way, the Bills stay put in this week's power rankings.

#3 - Baltimore Ravens - (5-2)

Previous Rank: 3

Next Week: vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Baltimore Ravens had a week off, so they stayed put for this week's power rankings. After the beating they took from the Bengals, that week may have been used to regroup and retool.

The Vikings are their opponents this week and could prove to be a formidable challenge.

#2 - Cincinnati Bengals - (5-2)

Previous Rank: 1

Next Week: vs. Cleveland Browns

Upsets happen all the time, and the Bengals suffered one of their biggest this season when they were beaten by the Jets, leading to a one-spot fall in the power rankings. Their case hasn't been helped by the fact that the Jets had their backup quarterback in.

A win against the Browns this week will help the Bengals retain their top AFC spot in the power rankings.

#1 - Tennessee Titans - (6-2)

Previous Rank: 2

Next Week: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

The Titans are the new kings of the AFC power rankings. They jump into the #1 spot for this week's rankings, even with losing Derrick Henry for an extended period.

The Titans called upon veteran Adrian Peterson to keep the team afloat and run the ball down the opponent's gullet. Peterson could be very dangerous with this run-heavy team.