The AFC West is hitting its end-of-season boiling point, and a fresh divisional showdown just added fuel to the fire. Time for a brand-new power ranking rundown. Buckle up.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Trending: Down
Somehow, it keeps getting worse. The Raiders reached a new low in Philadelphia on Sunday, getting shut out 31-0 and managing just 75 yards of total offense. The team looks as if it has already packed it in, with attention shifting almost entirely to securing the No. 1 pick. That pursuit continues this week as Las Vegas faces the Giants in what amounts to a must-lose matchup for draft positioning.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Trending: Down
The Chiefs were already on life support last week. The Chargers finished the job on Sunday, sealing Kansas City’s elimination from the postseason for the first time in 11 years. The setback grew even worse when Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL, sidelining him for the remainder of this season and likely a significant portion of the next. Coupled with an aging core, an aging head coach, and a thin supporting cast, Kansas City appears headed for a full-scale reset. At this rate, it may be 2028 before Mahomes returns to the postseason stage.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
Trending: Up
The Chargers picked up a crucial road win over a desperate Chiefs team on Sunday, moving to 5-0 in the division and staying within two games of the Denver Broncos. They face Denver in the regular-season finale, and a victory there would give them the tiebreaker for the AFC West crown. Los Angeles needs to make up just one game between now and Week 18 to control its path to the title. It is a remarkable position for a team that has weathered as much adversity as the Chargers have this season.
1. Denver Broncos
Trending: Up
The Broncos overcame another slow start to pull out a one-score win over a tough Packers team. It was one thing when Denver managed this against the Raiders and Commanders, but it increasingly appears to be their formula against everyone. They face another significant test this week with a surging Jaguars team coming to town. A Denver win combined with a Chargers loss to the Cowboys would allow the Broncos to clinch the division title.
*Top Photo: Getty Images