The Kansas City Chiefs are the ultimate modern NFL dynasty. Since Patrick Mahomes has taken over, the Chiefs have been the dominant force in the AFC, winning three Super Bowls and appearing in each of the last seven AFC Championship games.
Their conference-wide dominance by virtue trickles down to the separation they have established from their AFC West rivals. Kansas City has won the division nine years in a row and will go for the decade mark in 2025.
At the same time the franchise faces a major inflection point with some viewing them at their weakest in years and some foundational players on their way out. These AFC West foes are also starting to make ground with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers both making the playoffs last season.
Even the lowly Las Vegas Raiders are looking to find the chink in the Chiefs armor as they climb out of the basement of the league. Defensive star and team leader Maxx Crosby never lacks confidence going against this group and his Raiders have pushed the Chiefs to the limit on several occasions of late.
These matchups have forced Crosby to develop a respect for Mahomes and the team amid their quest to dethrone their rival.
“It’s ultimate respect when it comes to them,” Crosby said on ESPN. “They’ve earned it. They’ve won three Super Bowls, they’ve got the best quarterback in football. But for us, as a pass rusher, I’m going against the best quarterback. For me, I believe I’m the best pass rusher in the world, so every time we match up it’s match made in heaven.”
Crosby is not alone in sharing similar sentiments. Both the Broncos and Chargers have found themselves in similar positions, sometimes catching Kansas City on a bad day. But the ultimate goal is not just to spring the upset, instead, each of these three teams wants the spoils of ending this near decade-long streak.
Denver and Los Angeles may be closer to achieving that goal than Las Vegas, if any can catch the Chiefs at all. But fans should expect two more wars with the Raiders this season, ready and willing to contribute to this AFC West titan's demise.