NFL Power Rankings: AFC West 

Welcome to my weekly AFC West check-in — a fast, data-driven power ranking that tracks how
the divisional shifts from Sunday to Sunday. Rankings aren’t box-score trophies; they’re context-
adjusted judgments on who controlled situational football and who’s sitting pole week to week.
The headline this week? The gap is closing. Kansas City remains the standard, but Denver
looks ready to push. The Chargers have upgraded around Herbert with fresh skill talent and a
deepening defense, while the Raiders possess the pieces to be better than advertised. Buckle
up, friends, because this division has juice, and the chase is real.

1. Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert found a rhythm Friday night with quick and intermediate crossers that helped keep him
clean and on schedule. Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey moved the chains all night, while
Quentin Johnston suddenly looked capable. The offensive line was stable, though Kansas City
didn’t do much to generate pressure. They need to clean up the long second and thirds, and
Omarian Hampton has to be better at flipping the early downs. Defensively, they managed with
run-down sturdiness and red-zone resilience, as the Chiefs were able to move the ball between
the 20s consistently and had more than a few chunk plays. Ultimately, the Bolts D had
situational answers. Coaching seemed on point as well, as evidenced by a smooth opening
script, effective adjustments, and smart clock management to close the game.

Look Ahead: Can the OL sustain this level without extra help, and can the run game lift the floor
on early downs?

2. Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes the magician was at it again, as off-structure play and designed keepers kept KC
alive. An His legs were a real factor, but that can’t be the norm moving forward. His offensive
line looked decent in pass protection, though some of that credit is also due to Mahomes
creating opportunity and getting the ball out. Travis Kelce seemed to see less of the field than
normal, and busted coverage on a 37-yard score saved his night. The run game? Nonexistent
outside of Patrick. And this offense just wasn’t able to effectively finish drives. The defense
looked good on early downs and against the rush, but they weren’t able to generate pressure or
tighten in the red-zone when they needed it. Herbert’s late game scramble was the dagger.
Coaching-wise, I think the adjustments landed late, and they weren’t able to recover.

Look Ahead: Can KC manufacture a steadier ground game and a more reliable secondary
target hierarchy to ease the load on Mahomes, and can the rush win without blitz volume?

3. Denver Broncos

They got the win. And that’s the big thing. But the offense lacked style points outside of a few
timely explosives – a 22-yard TD strike from Bo Nix to Courtland Sutton before halftime, and a
50-yard RJ Harvey burst that set up J.K. Dobbins’ 19-yard score. Those two shots flipped the
scoreboard and this game. Nix just wasn’t good in this one – two picks and a lost fumble. Three
giveaways that kept the game closer than it should have been. Defensively, swoooooooooon.
The front was relentless – six sacks, constant pressure, and third-down dominance. Case in
point: the fourth quarter muffed punt that set Tennessee up at the Denver 24. A run stuff and
two sacks later, and the Titans were out of field goal range and were forced to punt. That stand preserved the score (13-12 Denver at the time), and possibly the game. And my guy Jahdae
with a fumble recovery to seal it with 1:05 left. Chef’s kiss.

Look Ahead: Can Bo Nix clean up the sloppy play, and how will the backfield hierarchy shake
out?

4. Las Vegas Raiders

Geno Smith was so much more than I expected him to be, as he stacked 362 passing yards,
including nine gains of 20+ yards, and iced the game with that late third-and-long strike. Brock
Bowers (5-103, before exiting) and Jakobi Meyers (8-97) owned the middle/intermediate
windows, allowing this offense to stay on the field and control the clock. Rookie RB Ashton
Jeanty found little room (TD, modest YPC), and New England’s rush – especially Harold Landry
III – won repeatedly off the Raiders’ right edge. Both have to improve to keep defenses honest.
Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce produced timely sacks as Vegas won situational football,
limiting New England to 4-14 on third downs and outscoring New England 13–3 after halftime.
Unfortunately, this team remains a mess in the defensive backfield. Outside the play of their two
safeties, there isn’t much to get excited about back there.

Look Ahead: Can Vegas balance this passing game with a steadier run script (and cleaner right-
side protection) before a Week 2 divisional test vs. the Chargers?