There’s nothing like a divisional matchup to definitively decide where teams stand. After this past week’s action, it’s abundantly clear the AFC West has a new basement dweller in our Power Rankings.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Trending: Down
This team stinks, apparently. The refreshed offensive line doesn’t look much better than the injury-riddled iteration from 2025, and the offense still has zero weapons outside of Ladd McConkey. Unlike last year, though, the Chargers can no longer lean on their defense to carry them. The Chargers are giving up far more points and yards per game this season despite having almost identical personnel to last year. The only major piece missing on that side of the ball is middle linebacker Denzel Perryman.
That might be the problem. If Perryman, a 33-year-old linebacker who was never elite even in his prime, can sink your defense with an injury, you have a talent problem. This defense is old and, as the kids say, “mid.” If that unit can no longer be great and the offense isn’t getting any better, it may be time for a major shakeup with the roster. You may start to see the phrase “rebuilding year” floating around Los Angeles.
Now, on to the team that shoved the Chargers into the AFC West basement.
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3. Las Vegas Raiders
Trending: Up
Are the Raiders good? The jury might still be out on that. Nevertheless, they’re at least significantly better than they were last season, and coaching is a big part of that. Klint Kubiak has this roster playing much more sound football than Pete Carroll and his staff did a year ago. The most noticeable improvement is on the offensive line. The personnel is better, but returning players like Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze are also simply playing better under the new regime.
The upgrade at quarterback can’t be ignored, either. Kirk Cousins is showing his age, but it’s hard to argue with six touchdowns in two games. He has this offense operating efficiently, and more importantly, he’s quieted the “Mendoza” chants so the rookie can get adequate time to develop.
Speaking of things that look ugly but get results in the AFC West…
2. Denver Broncos
Trending: Up
The Broncos are back to finding ways to win close games. A fourth-quarter comeback was needed to get the 20-13 win over a solid Jaguars team. As usual, the defense kept Denver in the game while the offense sputtered for three quarters, then Bo Nix pulled a rabbit out of his hat for a late-game offensive surge. At some point, it’s fair to ask how sustainable this formula is.
Bo Nix seems to have found his ceiling as an above-average system quarterback. The Broncos made a concerted effort this past offseason to put more weapons around him, such as acquiring Jaylen Waddle, but it hasn’t seemed to make a difference. The question now is whether that’s something for Sean Payton to figure out from a coaching standpoint or whether Nix’s limitations have reared their ugly heads.
Finally, Week 1 doesn’t seem to be a fluke…
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Trending: Steady
The Chiefs, and more specifically Patrick Mahomes, are all the way back. Mahomes torched a good Colts defense for almost 400 yards passing and three touchdowns, and this offense is humming. Assuming that continues, the Chiefs are officially back to being contenders in the AFC.
This new-look defense still has some question marks, however. Giving up 30 points to Daniel Jones and the Colts is a bad look. Kansas City limited big plays but still struggled to get off the field, largely because of a lack of splash plays, a hallmark of the Chiefs’ recent Super Bowl teams. Against Indianapolis, the defense managed just one interception and zero sacks. That’s something to monitor in the weeks to come.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images