Nick Wright analyzes the non-Kansas City Chiefs AFC contenders and explains why the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills are ranked lower than the reigning champions. He also discusses whether the Baltimore Ravens remain in contention despite their 0-2 start.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's composure under pressure against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday showcased his unwavering confidence. With a nine-play, 69-yard drive culminating in a go-ahead touchdown, Stroud guided Houston to a 24-20 victory.
However, despite Stroud's impressive performance, the Texans and Buffalo Bills currently find themselves a tier below the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. According to NFL analyst Nick Wright, the Chiefs' dominance remains unchallenged in the AFC.
AFC Contenders: Texans and Bills Below Chiefs, Ravens Still in the Mix
Baltimore Ravens fans may be wondering if their team can still be considered a contender after an 0-2 start to the season. Wright acknowledges the Ravens' strong defensive play but expresses concern about their offense's inability to produce points.
The Ravens' 19-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 highlighted their offensive struggles. Despite boasting a potent running game led by J.K. Dobbins, the Ravens' passing attack has been underwhelming, with quarterback Lamar Jackson completing only 56% of his passes.
AFC Contenders: Texans and Bills Below Chiefs, Ravens Still in the Mix
The Texans' success under Stroud is a testament to his maturity and ability to lead his team in crucial moments. After a promising rookie season in 2023, Stroud has taken a significant step forward this year.
Against the Jaguars, Stroud's resilience was evident as he calmly guided Houston down the field for the game-winning touchdown with under two minutes remaining. His ability to connect with receivers like Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz has been key to the Texans' offensive success.
AFC Contenders: Texans and Bills Below Chiefs, Ravens Still in the Mix
The Buffalo Bills' hopes of contending for the AFC Championship were dealt a blow with the loss of quarterback Josh Allen to a UCL injury. Backup quarterback Case Keenum has failed to fill Allen's void, leading to the Bills' 0-3 start.
Without Allen's dynamic playmaking ability, the Bills' offense has been anemic, scoring just 50 points in three games. The team's defense, once considered one of the league's best, has also struggled in Allen's absence.
The Jacksonville Jaguars' struggles continued on Sunday as their offense failed to keep pace with the Texans. Trevor Lawrence, who has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, has been inconsistent and prone to turnovers.
Jacksonville's anemic running game has also contributed to their offensive woes. Tank Bigsby, despite rushing for 90 yards on Sunday, has yet to find consistent success on the ground.
While the Texans and Bills may have shown signs of competitiveness, they currently find themselves in the shadow of the Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens' hopes of contention rest on their ability to fix their offensive issues, while the Jaguars must address their chronic offensive struggles to improve their record.
