9. Houston Texans (6-5)
Last Week: 9 (-)
Houston has a youth problem. For this season, they are going to lose games that they should win. For the future, they are set up to be one of the AFC's best. C.J. Stroud is having one of the best rookie quarterback campaigns in recent memory. To add to the excitement for the future, Will Anderson has shown flashes of brilliance this season and Tank Dell has been one of the best rookie receivers. The future is bright for this team.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4)
Last Week: 12 (+2)
The Steelers are forever confusing. They are tough defensively most of the time, but the offense has been abysmal. This week, however, the Steelers posted their first 400-yard game of the season, just days after parting ways with former offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Coincidence? I think not. If this version of the Steelers is for real, they could be a viable contender for the division.
11. Denver Broncos (6-5)
Last Week: 19 (+8)
Talk about a team that has turned things around. Just a few weeks ago, we discussed how bad the Broncos were and that it was an absolute embarrassment to surrender 70 points to the Dolphins. Now, all of a sudden, the Broncos look like a very difficult team to beat. Russell Wilson is playing the best football he has played in years and the Broncos have been elevated to a new level. Could Denver sneak into the playoffs? We will just have to wait and see.
12. Cleveland Browns (7-4)
Last Week: 10 (-2)
Everyone knows that the Browns have a great defense. What we still don't know is what is going to happen with the quarterback situation in Cleveland. Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been almost serviceable, but it is clear that they need more. Do they turn to Joe Flacco or do they just hope for the best with a rookie? What they do will be a huge indicator of what is to come.
13. Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Last Week: 14 (+1)
Buffalo is in trouble. They have a ridiculously tough schedule and every game feels like a playoff game. They hit the Eagles with their best shot and still couldn't find a way to win. At this point, I believe that all hope has been lost and that the Bills should start formulating their offseason plan.
14. Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Last Week: 11 (-3)
Every week I want to believe in the Seahawks and every week I am disappointed with their offense. The Seahawks have Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba and they can only muster 180 passing yards against the 49ers? I don't know if they realize it yet, but it's time to look for other options at quarterback.
15. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
Last Week: 16 (+1)
The Colts are accomplishing something that I believe is somewhat overlooked. They lost their starting quarterback early in the season and have made Gardner Minshew running the show and they have a winning record. The Colts, in all reality, could be in the discussion for the Wild Card spot by season's end. That, in and of itself, is remarkable.
16. Cincinnati Bengals (5-6)
Last week: 13 (-3)
It's sad to see a team look like a contender and then fade into nothingness. I'm afraid that a Joe Burrow-less Bengals team has no chance. They may not even be able to make games interesting. It's all a bummer. It really is.