NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Who Are the Best Teams in the AFC?

The top tier of the AFC is starting to take shape through six weeks of the 2011 NFL season.

Tom Brady played his typical role as hero in the New England Patriots win over the Dallas Cowboys, both the Ravens and Steelers handled their business and a few surprise clubs continued their winning streaks.

So who are the best teams in the AFC?

New England Patriots

Minus the hiccup against the Bills in Orchard Park, the Patriots have been the most consistent team in the AFC. 

They're winners of three straight. 

Tom Brady has taken some hits of late but has made the big-time throws when the Patriots have needed them most, and the defense is improving both against the run and the pass.

Pats at 5-1. 

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens faced an Andre Johnson-less Houston Texans club on Sunday, a team that is still dangerous and has a very respectable defense.

It wasn't a totally dominating effort, but Ray Rice went over 100 on the ground, Joe Flacco eclipsed the 300-yard mark through the air and the Ravens held Arian Foster to a mere 3.3 yards per carry.

Outside of a flat game against the Tennessee Titans, the Ravens are nipping at the heels of the Patriots for the AFC's top spot.

Cincinnati Bengals

One of the three remaining "Who would have thought" teams in the AFC. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are playing well beyond their years right now, and the defense has proved it is extremely tough to gain yards on the ground or through the air against it. 

The Bengals did what they needed to do and beat the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and quietly Cincinnati is 4-2.

I'm pumped for the Bengals' four-game divisional stretch from November 13th to December 4th.

Buffalo Bills

They were humbled in defeat on Sunday against the Giants in a game that was very winnable for Buffalo.

Ryan Fitzpatrick made two bad throws all afternoon that were on nearly identical play calls. Both tosses resulted in Corey Webster interceptions, and the second pick led to New York's game-winning field goal.

The Bills forced no turnovers in this game and did register one sack. That was the difference.

A good team, yes, but injuries have caught up with them.

Perfect time for the bye.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders have reeled off two straight wins, but their victory over the Browns on Sundays came with a great loss.

Jason Campbell broke his collarbone when scrambling for a first down in the second quarter.

The Raiders have the running game to compete for the AFC West crown, although it'll be much more difficult with Campbell on the sidelines.

Week 7 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (6-0)	17. Atlanta Falcons (3-3)
2. New England Patriots (5-1)	18. Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
3. Baltimore Ravens (4-1)	19. Washington Redskins (3-2)
4. San Francisco 49ers (5-1)	20. Tennessee Titans (3-2)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)	21. New York Jets (2-3)*
6. San Diego Chargers (4-1)	22. Cleveland Browns (2-3)
7. Detroit Lions (5-1)	23. Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)
8. New Orleans Saints (4-2)	24. Carolina Panthers (1-5)
9. New York Giants (4-2)	25. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5)
10.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)	26. Seattle Seahawks (2-3)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (4-2)	27. Denver Broncos (1-4)
12. Buffalo Bills (4-2)	28. Minnesota Vikings (1-5)
13. Oakland Raiders (4-2)	29. Arizona Cardinals (1-4)
14. Houston Texans (3-3)	30. Miami Dolphins (0-4)*
15. Chicago Bears (3-3)	31. St. Louis Rams (0-5)
16. Philadelphia Eagles (2-4)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-5)

*Dolphins and Jets play on MNF.