The Kansas City Chiefs posted another incredible regular season record of 15-2 last season. That mark, however, did not come without several battles within their division.
Kansas City went 5-1 overall in the AFC West though they were a clean 5-0 when they deployed their starters. All five of the remaining games finished within a one-score margin and three were two-point games decided in the final seconds.
Not only are the Chiefs rivals gaining ground in the West, but their improvement has made strides in the AFC at large. Both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers made the playoffs in January, showing significant improvement after each had major changes installed a year ago.
The Broncos in particular appear to have a supreme confidence about catching the Chiefs at least when you ask cornerback Pat Surtain II. Denver lost to Kansas City on a blocked field goal in one game before routing the Chiefs 38-0 in Week 18 when the team rested many of its normal starters.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Surtain made a bold callout of the Chiefs on the "Get Got Pod," asserting the Broncos are close to dethroning the nine-time defending AFC West champs.
"We're going to get after them boys for sure," he said. "Every time we play them, it's always a close game, like, it's never a blowout. ... We always right there, we just need to find a way to just finish."
Surtain is likely joined in this belief by several Broncos teammates and those on the Chargers may harbor similar feelings as well. Frankly, the last place Las Vegas Raiders have to share some of that sentiment based on how their recent matchups have gone.
Close or not, the Broncos have yet to prove they can do it against the core of Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce and the like. Many believe the Chiefs could fall on weaker legs this season with the trials of keeping this dynasty going another year.
This may be the prime opportunity for the Broncos to move up a peg on the totem pole. But again, there's a reason the Chiefs have maintained a stranglehold of the West for nearly a decade and that control will not be conceded easily.
Denver will get their two chances at Kansas City per usual. It's up to Surtain to back up that talk and for his team to prove they are ready to take down a giant.