The top of the 2021 NFL standings heading into Week 8, particularly in the AFC, is not at all in line with preseason projections. The conference’s top two seeds haven’t been to the playoffs in years, and the preseason favorites are out of the current playoff picture.

The Cincinnati Bengals (5-2) are in control of the AFC’s No. 1 seed, following a statement win over the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) Sunday afternoon. The Las Vegas Raiders (5-2) are the No. 2 seed, sitting well ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs (3-4) in the AFC West.

Kansas City was embarrassed by the Tennessee Titans (5-2) in Week 7. Tennessee is the No. 3 seed with a comfortable lead atop the AFC South, tied for the conference’s best record. The Buffalo Bills (4-2), who were upset by the Titans in Week 6 and had a bye in Week 7, are the No. 4 seed.

The Ravens (5-2), Los Angeles Chargers (4-2) and Cleveland Browns (4-3) would be the AFC’s three wild-card teams if the regular season ended this week. The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3) are a half-game out of the final playoff spot.

The Bengals appeared to answer questions about whether they are a real contender by defeating the Ravens 41-17 in Baltimore. Cincinnati is 2-0 in the AFC North with a 3-0 conference record. The Bengals went 6-25-1 in the previous two seasons and last made the playoffs in 2015.

Rookie Ja'Marr Chase had eight catches for 201 yards Sunday. Joe Burrow’s favorite target leads the AFC with 754 receiving yards.

Las Vegas beat the Philadelphia Eagles (2-5) 33-22 in Week 7, picking up its second straight win by double digits since Jon Gruden resigned. The Raiders took a half-game lead in the division over the idle Chargers.

Since losing in the Super Bowl in the 2002 season, the Raiders have made the playoffs once.

Tennessee has a chance to all but wrap up the AFC South title in Week 8 when they visit the Indianapolis Colts (3-4). The Titans defeated the Colts earlier this season. Tennessee has beaten the two teams that met in last season’s AFC Championship Game in consecutive weeks.

Trailing the Raiders by two games in the AFC West, the Chiefs appear to be in real danger of missing the playoffs. Kansas City has one of the league’s worst defenses, and the offense failed to score a touchdown in Sunday’s loss. Patrick Mahomes has thrown a league-high nine interceptions.

In his three seasons as a starter, Mahomes has led the Chiefs to three AFC Championship Game appearances and two trips to the Super Bowl.

Joe Burrow Ja'Marr Chase Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon #28 and Joe Burrow #9 celebrate with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase #1 of the Cincinnati Bengals after Chase scored a second half touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. Rob Carr/Getty Images
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