AFC power rankings, Week 5: Top 5 feel like they're separating themselves from pack

Four weeks of NFL football have been played. That's four weeks' worth of games to provide some idea of who's good and who isn't good.

You know what, in the AFC, it's not enough data.

As yet another bi-weekly edition of the AFC power rankings show, it's hard to get a good read on a whole lot of teams. For some injuries and others weird results have created a hodgepodge of ways this ranking could appear.

The only thing that feels about right is the four or five teams at the top. Also, throw in the three or four teams at the bottom.

Otherwise, who knows just yet. That's the fun part of the journey through this NFL season.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (3-1)

Previous ranking: 1

Last two weeks: Week 3, vs. Chicago Bears, W, 41-10; Week 4, at New York Jets, W, 23-20

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, at Minnesota Vikings, 4:25 p.m.; Oct 12, vs. Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m.

Why here? Nothing has changed the fact they remain the standard-bearer in the AFC. They still won the Super Bowl last season. They still have the best quarterback in football. They still have arguably the best coach currently in football. Their defense is somehow underrated. That's a pretty good combination. Oh, and they have Taylor Swift at their games. That last sentence is there because everyone is contractually obligated to mention her name or have some related pun or reference now when talking about the Chiefs.

2. Buffalo Bills (3-1)

Previous ranking: 4

Last two weeks: Week 3, at Washington Commanders, W, 37-3; Week 4, vs. Miami Dolphins, W, 48-20

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (at London, England), 9:30 a.m.; Oct. 15, vs. New York Giants, 8:20 p.m.

Why here? The Bills have apparently taken the loss on opening night to the New York Jets personally. They've done everything in their power since then to rid themselves of that mark, just vaporizing opponents. None of those have been as impressive as the statement beating they delivered to the Miami Dolphins. As a rankings that may have not thought enough of the Bills, allow this to be a mea culpa.

3. Miami Dolphins (3-1)

Previous ranking: 2

Last two weeks: Week 3, vs. Denver Broncos, W, 70-20; Week 4, at Buffalo Bills, L, 48-20

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m.; Oct. 15, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.

Why here? Just your run-of-the-mill 78-point swing from Week 3 to Week 4 for what started the season as the NFL's hottest team, at least offensively. The loss to the Bills was a cold splash of water for the Dolphins. It was not, however, some sort of statement to the long-term success for Miami. The same caveats that existed at 12:59 p.m. on Sunday exist today as well. If Tua Tagovailoa can stay healthy, this team can go far. He's still healthy.

4. Baltimore Ravens (3-1)

Previous ranking: 3

Last two weeks: Week 3, vs. Indianapolis Colts, L, 22-19, OT; Week 4 at Cleveland Browns, W, 28-3

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.; Oct. 15, vs. Tennessee Titans (at London), 9:30 a.m.

Why here? Speaking of health, are the Ravens ever fully healthy? Does it even matter for Baltimore? Well, it does when the injured party is quarterback Lamar Jackson. However, with virtually anyone else on the roster, it seems to barely faze the Ravens. You say they have a half-dozen or so starters out coming to face the Browns? Mere child's play, son. If Jackson is healthy and playing the way he has for much of the first four games, this team isn't going anywhere.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

Previous ranking: 9

Last two weeks: Week 3, at Minnesota Vikings, W, 28-24.; Week 4, vs. Las Vegas Raiders, W, 24-17

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, bye week; Oct. 15, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.

Why here? They have Justin Herbert as their quarterback, who's really, really good. They're also two plays from being 4-0. They also have Brandon Staley as their coach, who's, well, always an adventure. They're also two plays from being 0-4. Think of this as glass-half-full thinking.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)

Previous ranking: 5

Last two weeks: Week 3, vs. Houston Texans, L, 37-17; Week 4, vs. Atlanta Falcons (at London), W, 23-7

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, vs Buffalo Bills (at London), 9:30 a.m.; Oct. 15, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.

Why here? Trevor Lawrence is the best quarterback in the AFC South. This is still the best roster in that division as well. Whether or not the Jaguars actually win the division, stay tuned.

7. Cleveland Browns (2-2)

Previous ranking: 7

Last two weeks: Week 3, vs. Tennessee Titans, W, 27-3; Week 4, vs. Baltimore Ravens, L, 28-3

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, bye week; Oct. 15, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m.

Why here? The Browns have two impressive wins. They have two losses that can only be described through the use of profanities. It's Week 5 and they may be where all the true mystery in the AFC begins.

8. Indianapolis Colts (2-2)

Previous ranking: 15

Last two weeks: Week 3, at Baltimore Ravens, W, 22-19, OT; Week 4, vs. Los Angeles Rams, L, 29-23

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m.; Oct. 15, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.

Why here? Because the AFC South may be good, possibly, maybe, could be. Who knows? They certainly have an impressive win over the Ravens. Backup Gardner Minshew, though, was the quarterback for that game. Anthony Richardson has been solid as a runner as a rookie quarterback, and even has improved as thrower as well.

9. Houston Texans (2-2)

Previous ranking: 16

Last two weeks: Week 3, at Jacksonville Jaguars, W, 37-17; Week 4, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, W, 30-6

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.; Oct. 15, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.

Why here? C.J. Stroud may be the best quarterback in this rookie class. He's certainly having the the best first four games of his career of the group. That raises the ceiling of this team.

10. Tennessee Titans (2-2)

Previous ranking: 11

Last two weeks: Week 3, at Cleveland Browns, L, 27-3; Week 4, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, L, 27-3

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m.; Oct. 15, vs. Baltimore Ravens (at London), 9:30 a.m.

Why here? They have wins over the Chargers and the Bengals. They lost to the Saints and were dominated by the Browns. So who are they? Insert shrug emoji.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)

Previous ranking: 10

Last two weeks: Week 3, at Las Vegas Raiders, W, 23-18; Week 4, at Houston Texans, L, 30-7

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.; Oct. 15, bye week

Why here? They have two wins, which is one more than everyone ranked below them. Their offense is a mess, their fans are screaming to fire the offensive coordinator and the quarterback just avoided what could've been a devastating knee injury in what was a devastating loss to the Texans. Otherwise, going just fine in the Steel City.

12. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)

Previous ranking: 8

Last two weeks: Week 3, vs. Los Angeles Rams, W, 19-16; Week 4, at Tennessee Titans, L, 27-3

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m.; Oct. 15, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m.

Why here? It is painfully clear that Joe Burrow is hurt worse than anticipated. It's just a question of when the Bengals will realize the face of their franchise isn't getting any healthier by enduring the hits he has taken over the first four weeks.

13. New England Patriots (1-3)

Previous ranking: 12

Last two weeks: Week 3, at New York Jets, W, 15-10; Week 4, at Dallas Cowboys, L, 38-3

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.; Oct. 15, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.

Why here? To paraphrase former Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino, Tom Brady ain't walking through that door. The Patriots wish Tom Brady was, in fact, going to walk through that door, because they could use him at quarterback.

14. New York Jets (1-3)

Previous ranking: 6

Last two weeks: Week 3, vs. New England Patriots, L, 15-10; Week 4, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, L, 23-20

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.; Oct. 15, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.

Why here? Zach Wilson isn't Aaron Rodgers. He's not even Vinny Testaverde or Mark Sanchez. Next question.

15. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)

Previous ranking: 13

Last two weeks: Week 3, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, L, 23-18; Week 4, at Los Angeles Chargers, L, 24-17

Next two weeks: Oct. 9, vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m.; Oct. 15, vs. New England Patriots, 4:05 p.m.

Why here? They beat the Denver Broncos. They gave the Chargers a fight with a rookie starting at quarterback. That's really about all there is to say.

16. Denver Broncos (1-3)

Previous ranking: 14

Last two weeks: Week 3, at Miami Dolphins, L, 70-20; Week 4, at Chicago Bears, W, 31-28

Next two weeks: Oct. 8, vs. New York Jets, 4:25 p.m.; Oct. 12, at Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 .m.

Why here? They lost to the Raiders. They gave up 70 points to the Dolphins. They were down three scores to the Chicago Bears before the Bears turned back into the Bears.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Top 5 separating from the pack in Week 5 AFC power rankings