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.

Wins matter, friends. At the end of the day – shoulda, coulda, woulda. And yes, strength of schedule is a thing. But going winless matters in my rankings. Through two weeks, one team has clearly risen to the top, one has stumbled, one is who we think they are, and one has had a tough road to hoe. Which is which? Read on to find out.  

1) Los Angeles Chargers

Two weeks, two statements: a 27-21 takedown of the Chiefs in Brazil and a 20-9 divisional win over the Raiders. Justin Herbert has controlled game flow (318 yards, 3 TDs in Week 1; 242 yards, 2 TDs in Week 2), and the closing mechanics were elite in both finishes. The defense delivered the exclamation point versus Vegas with three interceptions despite losing Khalil Mack early. The only quibble is an uneven run game, but the passing structure and situational defense have traveled. Bottom line: the most complete team in the division through two weeks.

2) Denver Broncos

Denver opened by bullying Tennessee with six sacks and a 20-12 win, then lost a heartbreaker at Indy on a penalty-aided re-kick as time expired (29-28). Bo Nix’s debut featured turnovers, but the defense’s speed and pressure covered the margin. In Week 2 the offense answered with explosives, only to be dominated on the defensive side of the ball. The split says good team, thin margin, and the profile – defense first, scheduled offense – remains viable. Clean up the giveaways, reset on defense, and lock down late-game discipline, and the arrow stays up. For now, they sit second on the balance of performance and underlying quality.

3) Kansas City Chiefs

A 0-2 start (Chargers 27-21, Eagles 20-17) isn’t panic material, but it is a reality check. Patrick Mahomes has still created with his arm and legs, yet early-down run inefficiency and a pass rush that comes in spurts have limited control of games. Xavier Worthy’s early Week 1 injury scare reshuffled targets before Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Travis Kelce steadied things, but drive finishing has lagged. Defensively, Steve Spagnuolo’s group tightened versus Philly but couldn’t flip a key late series. Kansas City’s ceiling remains the division’s highest, but the first two weeks warrant this spot near the bottom – for now.

4) Las Vegas Raiders

Week 1 in Foxborough showcased a modernized passing game: Geno Smith stacked 362 yards while Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers owned the middle. The follow-up against LAC was the polar opposite – three interceptions, 218 total yards, and all nine points from kicker Daniel Carlson. Run efficiency hasn’t arrived yet, and right-side protection remains a stress point, but the front (Maxx Crosby & Co.) battled to keep the Chargers in field goals. The variance is real: a crisp, aggressive game when on schedule (NE), and helter-skelter when behind the sticks (LAC). Solid opening win keeps them in the mix, but consistency is the assignment.