The AFC looks like a four-team race after six weeks

The Kansas City Chiefs are 5-0 coming out of their bye week and looking to win their third straight Super Bowl. In order to do that they are going to have to find a way to fend off a few other serious contenders in the AFC. While it's still early in the season, it currently looks like there are three other teams that are poised to give KC a fight in the AFC.

There are currently only six teams in the AFC with a winning record. I think we can all agree that as the defending Super Bowl champions and the only undefeated team left in the AFC, the Chiefs are definitely on the list of contenders. They are 3-0 in the conference so far and have a +33 point differential. Despite that, they still have some players who need to step up after the bye if they want to remain on top of the AFC.

There are a couple of teams that have winning records that I just can't take seriously (yet) as serious contenders. The Los Angeles Chargers have a winning record at 3-2, but having already lost to the Chiefs and because of the injuries they are dealing with, they didn't make the final cut for true AFC contenders.

The other AFC team with a winning record that didn't make the cut is the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Steelers have a proven defense, they simply have too many questions on offense to be considered a true threat. Justin Fields has done just enough to keep them winning, but his limitations as a passer have them considering a move to Russell Wilson. That last sentence alone takes them out of the running in my book.

So which teams have shown enough to be on the list of true contenders in the AFC this season?

Buffalo Bills (4-2 overall, 3-2 in the AFC, +39 point differential)

The Buffalo BIlls were close to not making the cut here because of back-to-back losses to the next two teams on this list. Had they not pulled out a close win over their division rival New York Jets on Monday night, they would have missed the cut. However, Josh Allen is the best quarterback in the NFL not named Patrick Mahomes and now the Bills have given him an upgrade at wide receiver with the addition of Amari Cooper.

The Bills' next four games are against the Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and Indianapolis Colts. While those teams aren't pushovers, it is certainly possible that the Bills could be 8-2 when the Chiefs head to Buffalo on November 11th. If that happens, that game could absolutely have major implications on the top overall seed in the AFC and the coveted bye that comes with it.

Baltimore Ravens (4-2 overall, 2-2 in the AFC, +28 point differential)

The Baltimore Ravens got off to a frustrating start with a opening game loss to the Chiefs that was a toe away from a possible win. They followed that up with one of the most unexpected flops of the season, a 26-23 loss to the struggling Las Vegas Raiders. However, since that 0-2 start the Ravens have gone 4-0 with wins over the Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Commanders.

The Ravens were THE team to beat in the AFC last season, but they still couldn't get past the Chiefs. Their opening week loss to KC isn't going to help their perception that they can't win the big game, but their commanding 35-10 win over the Bills was a nice start.

The Ravens and Bills both need to prove they can beat the Chiefs in the playoffs before they can take the next step, but both of these teams look like they will at least give themselves a chance to prove they can finally get that done this season.

Houston Texans (5-1 overall, 4-0 in the AFC, +8 point differential)

The team that is closest to the Chiefs in the AFC standings is the Houston Texans. In fact, they actually have a better record in the AFC at 4-0 compared to KC's 3-0. They have played in several tight games with their wins over Indianapolis, Chicago, Jacksonville, and Buffalo all being less than a touchdown. The reason their point differential is so small despite their record is that they got stomped by the Minnesota Vikings 34-7 in Week 3.

The Texans are definitely the least proven and least experienced out of the four top teams in the AFC, but they also don't have the track record of coming up short in the playoffs against the Chiefs. C.J. Stroud looks like the real deal at quarterback and with a defensive-minded head coach and some good young players on their roster, they could absolutely be a dangerous team come playoff time.

So what do you think Chiefs fans? Do you agree that the AFC looks like a four team race right now? Are you panicking about the Chiefs not having made a move for a wide receiver yet? Do you think the Steelers or Chargers deserve to be in this conversation? Do you think a team like the New York Jets, who just added Davante Adams could earn their way onto this list before the season is over? What about the Cincinnati Bengals? Could they rebound from another slow start and become a true contender this season?