With just two weeks left in the regular season, the AFC West is starting to come into focus-but don’t mistake “clarity” for “predictability.” There’s still movement to be made, and each team is trending in a direction that could reshape the final standings-or the offseason. Here's a closer look at where things stand heading into the home stretch.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Trending: Up (kind of)
It’s not often you walk away from a loss feeling optimistic, but that’s exactly where the Raiders find themselves after a competitive showing against the Texans. This is a team that’s clearly not mailing it in. Young players are flashing, and that’s exactly what Las Vegas needs right now-development and evaluation.
The tricky part? They’re walking a tightrope.
Progress is great, but a win or two down the stretch could knock them out of the running for the No. 1 overall pick. And with quarterback being a glaring long-term need, that’s a delicate balance to manage.
Next up: the Giants. A winnable game, sure-but potentially a costly one in the draft positioning race.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Trending: Down
It’s been a brutal stretch for Kansas City. For the second week in a row, they’ve lost a quarterback to a torn ACL.
That’s not just bad luck-it’s the kind of injury run that can derail even the most resilient locker room. And while Patrick Mahomes remains the franchise cornerstone, the Chiefs are now limping toward the finish line with a third-string quarterback and a roster that was already showing cracks.
The silver lining? This slide could land Kansas City in rare territory: the top 10 of the draft.
That’s a position they haven’t been in since Mahomes was still a prospect himself. If they can capitalize on that and land a difference-maker-especially on offense-it could pay off big next season.
But for now, the focus is just getting through the next two weeks without further damage.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
Trending: Up
After a statement win over the Cowboys, the Chargers are suddenly breathing down Denver’s neck in the AFC West race. The gap is down to a single game, and with a Week 18 showdown looming between the two, the division title is still very much in play.
What’s changed? The roster is getting healthy.
The offensive line is still patchwork, but everywhere else, this team is starting to click. Jim Harbaugh’s squad is peaking at the right time-and they’re not just fighting for a playoff spot anymore.
If they win out, they win the division. And given how they looked against Dallas, that’s not out of the question.
No one’s going to want to see this team in January.
1. Denver Broncos
Trending: Down
The Broncos’ defense has been the backbone of their resurgence this season-but it finally showed some cracks. Giving up 34 points to the Jaguars wasn’t just unexpected, it was concerning. That kind of performance raises questions about whether this unit can carry Denver through the postseason, especially if the offense can’t pick up the slack.
Sean Payton’s got to hope it was just a bad day. Because if the defense can’t rebound, the pressure shifts to rookie quarterback Bo Nix to win games on the road in the playoffs.
That’s a tough ask for any young QB, let alone one who’s still finding his footing. Denver’s still in the driver’s seat for the division, but the road ahead just got a lot bumpier.
Final Word:
The AFC West has been a rollercoaster all year, and it’s not done yet.
The Chargers are surging, the Broncos are wobbling, the Chiefs are reeling, and the Raiders are walking the line between growth and draft capital. Two weeks to go-and still plenty left to be decided.