Overrated and Underrated NFL Teams: Week 9 AFC Contenders and Pretenders

The NFL season is a long one with lots of ups and downs. Every year, certain franchises capture the spotlight with early-season success, while others silently climb the ranks, avoiding the media's attention.

In the world of professional football, the line between being a contender and a pretender is razor-thin, and it's a subject that sparks passionate debates among fans and experts alike.

In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the dynamic landscape of the NFL and examine the overrated and underrated teams that have emerged as contenders or pretenders in the AFC ahead of Week 9 of the 2023 NFL season.

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Week 9 Overrated AFC Teams

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Record: 6-2
• Current Division Standing: First Place (AFC South)

Hey, maybe the Jaguars are a really good football team. The thing is, we just don't know that yet, as the Jags have been the beneficiary of an early-season schedule comprised of rebuilding divisional opponents (Indianapolis twice & Houston), one of which they lost to, as well as a pair of matchups with middling NFC South teams (New Orleans & Atlanta).

So although Doug Pederson's squad stands at an impressive 6-2 as they head into their bye week - and they will very likely coast to an AFC South title - it's tough to truly be all-in on this team at the moment. The Jags have split their two contests against "legitimate" opponents this season. Trevor Lawrence and company lost a hard-fought defensive battle to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 but defeated the Buffalo Bills in London in Week 5.

We'll see just how real this team is over the next month or so. The Jaguars face the San Francisco 49ers off their bye and will then tussle with the Bengals and Ravens across their next four games.

Can you say 5 in a row?

The Jacksonville #Jaguars are 6-2!

SIX. AND. TWO.#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/e4FR5jXECY

— Andrew Gibson (@1010XLAG) October 29, 2023

Miami Dolphins

• Record: 6-2
• Current Division Standing: First Place (AFC East)

It should go without saying that Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has done a phenomenal job turning around this long-suffering franchise during his short time in South Beach. After leading Miami to the NFL playoffs last year in his first season at the helm, McDaniel's speed-based offense has gotten off to a blistering 6-2 start in 2023. But are the Dolphins for real?

Mike McDaniel on NFL narratives: “I’ll tell you what’s going to happen with the Miami Dolphins - they lose, we can’t beat good teams. We win, we’re going to win the Super Bowl. None of it matters.” #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/OalVIoDztZ

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) November 3, 2023

The savvy McDaniel is under no illusions about the narrative that currently surrounds his 'Fins squad, namely, that they can't beat "good" football teams. Well, the proof is in the pudding, at least to this point, as Miami's two losses were lopsided affairs in which they were soundly beaten by Buffalo and Philadelphia, while the majority of their six wins have been of the blowout variety against duds such as the Giants, Broncos, and Panthers.

This high-octane offense led by Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle undoubtedly has off-the-charts speed and talent, but can they do it when it matters most against a quality opponent? The Dolphins will get another chance to see how they size up against a good team in Week 9, as they are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany. A win over Mahomes and company would go a long way toward convincing football fans that Miami has what it takes to make a deep postseason run.

Week 9 Underrated AFC Teams

Cincinnati Bengals

• Record: 4-3
• Current Division Standing: Fourth Place (AFC North)

An abysmal 1-3 start probably had many ready to leave the Cincinnati Bengals for dead in 2023. While Joe Burrow and company certainly dug themselves a hole with their brutal start, Cincinnati has now won three in a row and heads into a Week 9 clash with the Buffalo Bills with a 4-3 record.

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are ALL THE WAY BACK#PMSLive #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/vpRGlvh5z2

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 30, 2023

We can safely chalk the Bengals' early-season losses up to the health, or lack thereof, of their superstar QB. A calf injury suffered during training camp was clearly more serious than most believed, as Burrow labored out of the gates. However, Joey B. now appears to be fully healthy, as he's sporting a TD-to-INT ratio of 8-2 over the Bengals' last three. Burrow has connected with stud wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase at a high rate as of late. Chase has looked unguardable at times and already amassed 656 yards and four TDs this year.

Now trending in the right direction on both sides of the football, Cincy's three-game winning streak and positive momentum will be put to the test in Week 9, as they host a talented Buffalo Bills squad on Sunday Night Football.

Los Angeles Chargers

• Record: 3-4
• Current Division Standing: Second Place (AFC West)

It seems like the Chargers have lived in the "underrated" category for almost the last three years, as their record never seems to accurately reflect the quality of talent on their team. Despite having offensive juggernauts such as Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, and Mike Williams at his disposal, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley has limped to a record that's barely above .500 since taking over the helm in L.A. in 2021.

club dub 😏 pic.twitter.com/QsVhNR1PS1

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 30, 2023

It's been more of the same shenanigans in 2023, as the Bolts have stumbled to a 3-4 record out of the gate. The offseason addition of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore has helped the Chargers offense to average 24.9 points per game, the ninth-best mark in the NFL this season.

Los Angeles has also been bitten hard by the injury bug, as they lost Mike Williams for the season and were without key offensive cog Austin Ekeler for multiple games. However, Ekeler has now returned and Joshua Palmer has been a suitable substitute for Williams, which means this offense could really start clicking over the next month...all they have to do is overcome Staley's often-horrible decision-making.

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