NFL standings: KC Chiefs take early lead in the AFC West after Week 2

AFC Standings, Week 2

The Week 2 slate featured seven matchups between AFC teams, while two AFC teams went up against NFC opponents. The Chiefs, Chargers, Steelers, Browns, Dolphins, Ravens, and Bills all had a chance to climb to 2-0. The Patriots, Jaguars, Jets, Broncos, and Titans were all attempting to avoid an 0-2 start. The Colts and Texans each tried to improve to 1-0-1.

Here is what the AFC Standings look like after Week 2:

Prior to the commencement of Week 2, the Buffalo Bills were the favorites to come out of the AFC and advance to Super Bowl LVII. FiveThirtyEight (QB Adjusted) had the Bills as the favorites to win the Super Bowl at a 16% chance. In the AFC, after Buffalo, the Chiefs were at 12%, the Chargers and Ravens each at 5%, and then the Dolphins and Colts both at 3%.

The Chiefs began the week with a divisional win over the Chargers.  The Patriots bounced back with a victory over the Steelers. The Jaguars dominated the Colts and now find themselves first in the AFC South. The Jets and Dolphins had incredible comebacks over the Browns and Ravens, respectively. The Broncos had a rather unimpressive victory over the Texans. The Bills absolutely destroyed the Titans. The Raiders and Bengals lost their games against NFC teams.

The Chiefs began Week 2 with an important victory against their divisional rival Los Angeles Chargers and now have sole possession of the AFC West lead. The Patriots got a vital win over the Steelers but they should not have any confidence in their offense and Pittsburgh should feel the same way. The Jaguars may be a darkhorse division winner in the NFL, while the Colts could be the NFL’s most disappointing team through two weeks.

The Browns had one of the most shocking collapses in recent memory and this win could be the boost of adrenaline that the Jets have needed for the past decade. The Dolphins look like a serious threat in the AFC and Lamar Jackson looks like an MVP candidate again, despite the heartbreaking defeat. The Broncos don’t look as scary as many people thought they would be, while the Texans could be a pain in the butt for good teams across the NFL.

The Raiders looked good early but they appear to be the non-playoff team that I thought they were before the season. The Bengals are going through a Super Bowl hangover and desperately need a rebound win next weekend against the Jets. The Bills look like one of the most complete teams that the NFL has seen in several years.

After the second week of the season, Five Thirty Eight still has the Buffalo Bills as the team with the best chance to win the Super Bowl out of all AFC teams at 19%, followed by the Kansas City Chiefs at 12%, the Miami Dolphins at 5%, the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers both at 4%, and then the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns each at 2%.

The AFC is not looking as dangerous as many people in the NFL world thought it would be. Outside of the Bills, Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins, and maybe the Baltimore Ravens, I have no confidence in any team in the conference to make any noise in the playoffs. The picture should more clear in the coming weeks or it could get even more cloudy.