State of the Franchise: AFC

Below are the division standings through Week 5. Attached to each team is a few lines about how their season has gone to this point.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills (4-1)

• The most complete team in the league. Josh Allen shows no sign of slowing down and neither does their defense.

Miami Dolphins (3-2)

• Their new offense is explosive and has powered them to a fast start. They are legit contenders, but when will Tua return?

New York Jets (3-2)

• Joe Flacco kept them above water and Garrett Wilson has flashed as a red zone threat. Now that Zach Wilson is back, Rookie RB Breece Hall is exceling and the Jets offense is starting to gel.

New England Patriots (2-3)

• Too many turnovers and a subpar Mac Jones. In Jones' absence due to an ankle injury, Bailey Zappe has shown he can be reliable. If Jones continues to miss time, Zappe could build his case as the starter in New England.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens (3-2)

• Lamar is looking like an MVP frontrunner, but their secondary has been extremely generous to opposing offenses. I view them as a top team in the AFC, but question if their late game strategy will end up costing them more games.

Cleveland Browns (2-3)

• Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt have powered the Browns to this point. Their defense has disappointed and Jacoby Brissett has not impressive. If they can stay afloat until Deshaun Watson returns, they could be dangerous.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-3)

• Disappointing. Joe Burrow's revamped offensive line has been bad and the Bengals have not looked like the explosive force they were last season. Zac Taylor has also made some questionable decisions through five weeks of the season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4)

• Two words: big trouble. After replacing starter Mitch Trubisky with first round rookie, Kenny Pickett, the Steelers appear to be in desperation mode. They have been exposed on both sides of the ball all season and will likely continue to struggle.

AFC South

Tennessee Titans (3-2)

• When Derrick Henry gets going, the Titans win. I still think someone needs to step up in the receiving game (Robert Woods/Treylon Burks) in order for the Titans to win this division.

Indianapolis Colts (2-2-1)

• Matt Ryan has been extremely disappointing turning the ball over at an unprecedented rate and Jonathan Taylor gotten off to a slow start. Frank Reich needs to find a way to wake his team up or he could be looking for a new job at the end of the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3)

• The Jags looked like a team that could make some noise after blowing the Colts and the Chargers out in back-to-back weeks. However, they have come back down to Earth recently. I still like them to contend for a playoff spot late in the season.

Houston Texans (1-3-1)

• The Texans have been in every game they have played this season. They are a feisty team and I give Lovie Smith a ton of credit for getting a roster seemingly barren of talent to compete every Sunday.

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)

• The Mahomes-led Chiefs offense has not skipped a beat without Tyreek Hill. Their offense is more dynamic than before and their defense has gotten big contributions from rookie George Karlaftis and second year stud Nick Bolton.

Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)

• The Chargers offense has been explosive, but their defense has not lived up to its billing as a top tier unit. This Chargers team is a Super Bowl contender, but I have to wonder if Brandon Staley's aggressiveness in fourth down situations will haunt them.

Denver Broncos (2-3)

• What a mess. The Broncos were one of my favorite teams heading into this season. They have been completely helpless on offense. Russell Wilson looks like a quarterback on the decline and Nathaniel Hackett appears to be in way over his head as an NFL head coach. I am holding out hope that their defense can carry them to a playoff birth, but I have serious doubts.

Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

• Arguably the biggest disappointment of the season has been the Las Vegas Raiders. Their roster is loaded with top tier talent, but they have not been able to get it to translate into the win column. This season may already be a lost one for them.