The Kansas City Chiefs have won nine consecutive AFC West titles — an incredible run good for second in NFL history — only trailing the New England Patriots, who won 11 straight AFC East titles from 2009-19.
Following several seasons in which the rest of the division seemed stuck in neutral, the AFC West now heads into 2025 with each team under the direction of a championship-caliber head coach and a bona fide franchise quarterback. By the way, I’m counting the other accolades of Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh (2012), who has never won a Super Bowl but has won both an NFC championship and a college football national championship with Michigan (2023).
Here is a very simple look at the division as it stands entering the season, listing the head coach, quarterback and best defensive player:
Kansas City Chiefs: Head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones
Denver Broncos: Head coach Sean Payton, quarterback Bo Nix and cornerback Patrick Surtain
Las Vegas Raiders: Head coach Pete Carroll, quarterback Geno Smith and pass rusher Maxx Crosby
Los Angeles Chargers: Head coach Jim Harbaugh, quarterback Justin Herbert and safety Derwin James
So, who scares you the most? And if your answer is “nobody,” that’s OK. Who has the best chance to finish second place in the AFC West?
Explain below.