Another week of AFC West action is in the books, which means it is time to reassess our power rankings for the division. We learned a lot about these teams this week, though that does not necessarily mean the rankings will change. Let’s dive in.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
Trending: Steady
We have reached the point where the Chargers losing by a touchdown to the Seahawks is expected. The score is also misleading. Los Angeles was never really in the game, and at one point Seattle led by 21 in the third quarter. Even that was expected.
The Chargers are no longer off to a rough start. They are simply not a very good team. Things may turn around, but they will need to do so in a hurry. Their next three opponents are the Broncos, Chiefs and Rams, so 0-7 is very much on the table.
Speaking of Los Angeles’ next opponent…
3. Denver Broncos
Trending: Steady
The “do nothing on offense for half the game” approach does not work against a really good team. Bo Nix seemed to get going a little in the second half, but the Broncos could not keep up with the 49ers. Brock Purdy picked apart the Denver defense after halftime with two touchdown passes. With the Broncos now at 2-2, it is time to get concerned.
A big part of the loss was Denver losing both of its starting cornerbacks to injury. Losing a couple of starters usually is not enough to sink a team, since that is part of life in the NFL. However, the Broncos are a house of cards, and their elite defense is the foundation. Losing two key players in the secondary could be enough to make that unit look closer to average. If that happens, the offense will have to step up and win games, and we have seen little evidence this group can do that.
Up next is another team that ran into a buzzsaw this past week.
Related: Should the Raiders actually trade for a wide receiver this season?
2. Las Vegas Raiders
Trending: Up
This game is a textbook example of a moral victory. Heading into Week 4, we had plenty of questions about the legitimacy of the Raiders’ 3-0 start. Despite the loss, it’s clear that the Raiders are for real. Las Vegas went toe-to-toe with Kansas City and looked like a peer rather than an underdog. Still, the loss shows the Raiders have some work to do.
The shootout nature of the game exposed key limitations in the Raiders’ offense. We also saw how reliant the defense has been on generating turnovers. These issues may sound like nitpicking, but they reflect the higher expectations Las Vegas has earned. The Raiders will face another test this week against the defending AFC champion Patriots.
Finally, about those Chiefs atop the AFC West.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Trending: Up
The Chiefs look really good, and unlike in previous years, we are talking about the team as a whole, not just Patrick Mahomes. He is slowly regaining his form as he works his way back from injury, and luckily, he has not needed to carry the team the way he has in the past. Kansas City’s most recent win over the Raiders was a great example of that.
For starters, Mahomes now has a running game to lean on. Kenneth Walker looked fantastic in that game, putting up 177 yards and two touchdowns on just 22 carries. The former Seahawks running back helps the Chiefs control the ball, and that ability is complemented by a solid defense. The unit boasts several promising young talents, such as Mansoor Delane and R Mason Thomas. The Chiefs head into the bye week 4-0 and in total control of the AFC West.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images