Here we get to discuss a division that is near and dear to my heart as our NFL Divisional Previews continue. We turn our heads to the AFC West, a division that has long been dominated by one certain team, my own Kansas City Chiefs. But could this be the year someone else claims the crown? Let’s find out. This is our 2025 AFC West Preview full of picks and predictions for the division.
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Patrick Mahomes has only finished on top of the AFC West as a starter
AFC West Divisional History
Past 10 AFC West Division Champions
- 2024: Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) *Lost Super Bowl LIX vs. Eagles*
- 2023: Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) *Won Super Bowl LVIII vs. 49ers*
- 2022: Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) *Won Super Bow LVII vs. Eagles*
- 2021: Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)
- 2020: Kansas City Chiefs (14-2) *Lost Super Bowl LV vs. Buccaneers*
- 2019: Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) *Won Super Bow LIV vs. 49ers*
- 2018: Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
- 2017: Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
- 2016: Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
- 2015: Denver Broncos (12-4) *Won Super Bowl 50 vs. Panthers*
Quite the domination we see here from the Kansas City Chiefs. No one has been able to dethrone them since Patrick Mahomes took over, and Alex Smith even won the division in his final two years as a starter. But could this year be different?
Bo Nix is ready to lead the Broncos after a fantastic rookie season, the Chargers boast the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL from last year, and Geno Smith and Pete Carroll are reunited in Sin City to revamp the Raiders.
Bo Nix lead Denver to the playoffs in his first season in the NFL
AFC West Betting Odds
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Odds to Win Super Bowl LX
- Kansas City Chiefs +800
- Denver Broncos +2800
- Los Angeles Chargers +2800
- Las Vegas Raiders +8000
The Chiefs are just a step behind the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles on the overall odds board. This division had three teams in the playoffs last season, competing for best division in the NFL, and I think they could sneak in two wildcard teams this year as well.
Odds to Win AFC West Division
- Kansas City Chiefs -120
- Los Angeles Chargers +300
- Denver Broncos +325
- Las Vegas Raiders +1200
The Chiefs are the favorite to make it 10 straight AFC Titles, but to be honest with you, as a fan, I am worried. The rest of the division has certainly gotten better over the past few seasons.
Jim Harbaugh leads the Chargers in his second season as Head Coach
Team Win Totals
Denver Broncos
- Over 9.5 (-125)
- Under 9.5 (-105)
Kansas City Chiefs
- Over 11.5 (+100)
- Under 11.5 (-130)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Over 7.5 (+105)
- Under 7.5 (-135)
Los Angeles Chargers
- Over 9.5 (-125)
- Under 9.5 (-105)
These are some very tough numbers, and with my strong fandom towards the Chiefs, I won’t be taking a win total in this division. I would lean with the Broncos to get to double digit wins over the Chargers, but that’s based off Bo Nix performing like he did last year, and a sophomore slump could certainly be looming over his head.
While Los Angeles does have the easier schedule, their offense doesn’t really get me going.
Courtland Sutton caught 81 passes for 1,081 yards and 8 TDs last season
AFC West Team Breakdown
Denver Broncos
Bo Nix is trying to reload after a terrific rookie season. He led the Broncos to a 10-7 record and made the playoffs in his first year as a starter with over 3,700 passing yards, a 29-12 TD-INT Ratio, along with 430 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Denver relies on Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. and Devaughn Vele as their WR corps, with newly signed TE Evan Engram ready to enhance the offense. They will rely on second round pick RJ Harvey to assume the lead running back role, alongside J.K. Dobbins to back him up.
Defensively, the Broncos were one of the best in the league last season (No. 3 in points allowed), and they are ready to go in 2025. Denver brought in LB Dre Greenlaw and SS Talanoa Hufanga, both from the San Francisco 49ers, to boost an already star studded defense, headlined by CB Pat Surtain II.
Schedule-wise, the Broncos have to go to Philadelphia, Washington and Houston, but get the benefit of hosting the Bengals, Cowboys and Packers. While their win total doesn’t entice me, Denver should make the playoffs and maybe scare the Chiefs in the West if they can pull off a couple huge wins.
Xavier Worthy is ready to go in the Kansas City offense
Kansas City Chiefs
Although the rest of the division got better, I think the Chiefs did as well. The NFL did not get to see the speedy WR trio of Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown on the field at the same time last season. Now they will, giving Patrick Mahomes possibly his best set of receivers he’s ever played with in the league. Although Joe Thuney is gone to the Chicago Bears, the Chiefs plugged Mike Caliendo into the LG position, and signed two different left tackles, Jaylon Moore and first round draft pick Josh Simmons to protect Mahomes’ blind side. Offensively, the Chiefs are fine.
And defensively, they are as well. Kansas City ranked No. 4 in points allowed and No. 9 in yards allowed last season, returning virtually all of their starters. The only newbie is SS Jaden Hicks, who will assume the starting role after backing up Justin Reid last season. Kansas City signed LB Nick Bolton, DE George Karlaftis and RG Trey Smith to contract extensions this season, with CB Trent McDuffie’s likely on the horizon.
Andy Reid still runs the show, and the Chiefs get their hardest games this year at home. Sure, they have to go to Buffalo in Week 9, but they avoid going to Los Angeles, as they face the Chargers in Brazil in Week 1. Other than going to Dallas for Thanksgiving, that’s the extent of the Chiefs road schedule. They get to host the Eagles, Ravens, Lions, Commanders and Texans, giving them home field advantage against their tougher opponents.
Brock Bowers has a new QB for his sophomore NFL season
Las Vegas Raiders
New Head Coach Pete Carroll reunites with new QB Geno Smith in Sin City. As Geno said, he didn’t come here to gamble, he is ready to run the table. Well… that might be tough in a stacked AFC West. The Raiders have stud TE Brock Bowers and the sixth overall pick, RB Ashton Jeanty ready to go with Geno, but what about his receivers?
Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, and rookie Dont’e Thornton Jr are the Raiders’ wideouts, which doesn’t give me much hope. Raheem Mostert is also on the squad ready to back up Jeanty.
Of course Maxx Crosby is the talk of the town defensively, but Las Vegas doesn’t have much else. They were No. 29 in points scored last season and tied for No. 25 in points allowed, ranking dead last in rushing yards as well. Jeanty can’t run if he doesn’t have a good offensive line, and again, this division might be the best in football this season. It could be a long year for the Raiders once again.
Can Justin Herbert finally lead the Chargers to the promised land?
Los Angeles Chargers
Lastly, Jim Harbaugh. He took the Chargers defense to the top of the league in terms of points allowed last season, ranking No. 11 in yards allowed as well. Although they depart with Joey Bosa, DE Khalil Mack is ready to go.
But how much faith do we have in Justin Herbert? Apparently enough to give him the keys to the offense once again. But I’ll be the first to notice the lack of talent surrounding him. The rest of the Chargers skill players include RB Najee Harris, who is dealing with some sort of firework related injury, TE Will Dissly, and a WR corps of Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris. Not really moving the needle for me unless you can give Ladd enough space for 20+ targets per game.
Derwin James Jr. is still patrolling the secondary in the strong safety position, but it might take a very strong outing from the Los Angeles defense to get them to the playoffs. The Chargers already lost a home game against the Chiefs, hosting them in Brazil in Week 1.
They get to host the Eagles, Commanders, Vikings, Steelers, and Texans, rounding out their toughest non-divisional games. However, it will be up to Herbert to find some “easy” road wins against the Dolphins, Giants, Titans, Jaguars and Cowboys.
This division is the Chiefs to lose, no doubt about it. But the Broncos and Chargers are right there just waiting for them to slip up. Could they overtake them this season?
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