Welcome back to my weekly AFC West check-in – a quick, data-driven power ranking that tracks how the divisional shifts from Sunday to Sunday. Rankings aren’t box-score trophies – they’re context-adjusted judgments on where these teams are at and who’s sitting pole week to week. Here’s how I stack the AFC West heading into week 9, and why.
4) Las Vegas Raiders
Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Bye week or not, the last data point is a 31-0 loss to Kansas City and an offense still searching for an identity. The run game flashes with Ashton Jeanty, but the overall situational profile – turnovers, red-zone stalls, third-down defense – keeps tilting games the wrong way. This roster needs cleaner early-down sequencing and fewer self-inflicted wounds to close the gap with the division’s top tier. Until we see that post-bye reset on the field, they sit fourth.
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Week 9 Lookahead: Jacksonville comes to town with speed everywhere; this is a test for a post-bye self-scout. Lean into Jeanty to set up easier throws, finish drives with touchdowns, and keep the defense out of sudden-change disasters.
3) Los Angeles Chargers
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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a touchdown pass in the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Thursday’s 37-10 dismantling of Minnesota was wire-to-wire: 419 total yards, no punts, and 29 first downs to the Vikings’ 12. Justin Herbert threw three TDs and added 60+ rushing yards while Kimani Vidal churned out 117 on the ground. The defense delivered five sacks and held Minnesota to 164 total yards, shutting the door on anything vertical. It was a get-right game with playoff weight – clean, explosive, and decisive.
Week 9 Lookahead: @ Tennessee screams “stack another one” – establish the run early, then let Herbert hunt off play-action. If the rush unit wins on obvious passing downs again, the Titans’ offense won’t keep pace.
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2) Kansas City Chiefs
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Baltimore Ravens v Kansas City Chiefs | Peter Aiken/Getty Images
A 28-7 win over Washington featured Mahomes at his ruthless best after the break: 299 yards, three TDs, and a 21-0 second-half avalanche despite two early interceptions. The offense strangled the clock with long, methodical touchdown drives and went 4-for-4 in the red zone. Defensively, Kansas City allowed just 260 total yards, 60 on the ground, and pitched a second-half shutout. When the Chiefs marry clock control with suffocating defense, they look every bit like a January problem.
Week 9 Lookahead: @ Buffalo is a heavyweight measuring stick in a hostile environment – handle third downs and protect the ball, or Josh Allen will flip the script in a hurry. The blueprint is simple: red-zone perfection and be ready to trade haymakers.
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1) Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) makes a pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Five straight wins and a 44=24 thumping of Dallas make this the conference’s hottest team, full stop. Bo Nix threw four touchdowns while Denver’s backs hammered out chunk gains, including a 100+ yard night from J.K. Dobbins and three TDs from rookie RJ Harvey. The Broncos led 27-10 at halftime and never blinked, mixing explosives with efficient situational football. This wasn’t smoke and mirrors-it was a three-phase beatdown that validated their 6-2 start.
Week 9 Lookahead: Road trip to Houston is a tempo and poise test – survive the early C.J. Stroud surge, then lean on balance to control the middle eight. Keep Nix clean against Will Anderson Jr. and friends, and the win streak can hit six.
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