Chiefs, Bengals Remain On Top Of Updated AFC Power Rankings
By Hunter Haas
4: Miami Dolphins Surprise, Check In At Fourth In AFC Power Rankings
The Dolphins are the most difficult team to place on these Power Rankings. With Tua Tagovailoa steering the ship, Miami is as good as any team in the NFL. The former Alabama signal-caller is not the most gifted passer, but he runs the Mike McDaniel system efficiently and is capable of making throws downfield.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle play a key role in the proficient passing attack, as both hold a place in the top 10 wide receivers in the league. Perhaps the most exciting addition for any team at the NFL Draft came when the Dolphins selected Devon Achane in the third round.
Achane gives the offense yet another 4.3-speedster. He is a younger, hopefully more durable version of Raheem Mostert. The former A&M standout is explosive with the ball in his hands and should take over the RB1 role of the offense early in his rookie campaign.
The defense will be much better in 2023 with the acquisition of Jalen Ramsey at cornerback. With Ramsey and Xavien Howard manning the secondary, opposing quarterbacks will find it difficult to complete passes to either side of the field; especially when you include Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb flying off the edge.
3: Buffalo Bills Are Not Far Behind The Top Two Teams In AFC Power Rankings
These top three teams in the Power Rankings have a gap between them and the field. The Buffalo Bills check in at No. 3 after coming up short for a fourth straight postseason. Thankfully, Josh Allen is at the peak of his powers, and the offense should keep its trademark pace moving forward.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid offers a new wrinkle to the pass-catching corps by giving Allen a reliable chain mover with remarkable red-zone prowess. Elsewhere on the offense, running back James Cook is ready for a sophomore breakout. Devin Singletary is no longer on the roster, clearing the way for the former Georgia star to hog the lion’s share of snaps.
Defensively is where Buffalo can stand to improve the most. Getting Von Miller and Tre’Davious White back to 100% masks a lot of the deficiencies of the unit. Kaiir Elam must improve his play on the boundary, and an uptick in production for Gregory Rousseau would go a long way to getting the Bills over their postseason hump.