AFC West optimist, pessimist view of every team

The AFC West was expected to be more competitive this season, but that hasn't been the case thus far. Here are reasons to be optimistic and pessimistic about every team in the division through Week 6.

Denver Broncos (1-5)

Optimist: Tankathon projects the Broncos will have the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Denver can use a high pick in the draft to select a quarterback and eventually move on from the disappointing Russell Wilson. The 2024 class includes highly touted QB prospects Caleb Williams of Southern Cal and Drake Maye of North Carolina. Clearly, Denver must rebuild. Finding a talented young player at the most important position would be a great start.

Pessimist: Head coach Sean Payton, a Super Bowl champion, was supposed to resurrect the franchise, but he's not close to building a winner. The Broncos have been heavily penalized this year (40 penalties), and their defense is allowing the most points per game (33.3) in the league. Denver may be in "sell mode" before the trade deadline on Oct. 31, but a reboot will fail unless Payton and his staff do a better job.

Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)

Optimist: The Chiefs have a strong chance to become the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions in nearly 20 years. Their stingy defense is allowing the second-fewest points per game (14.7) in the league, and the offense is ninth in points per game (24.5). The Chiefs should continue to cruise for the rest of the season. Per Tankathon, they have the 10th-easiest remaining schedule.

Pessimist: QB Patrick Mahomes can't thrive with a shaky receiving corps. Besides TE Travis Kelce (36 receptions) and rookie WR Rashee Rice (21 receptions), no Chief has crossed the 20-catch mark. On Wednesday, the Chiefs reuinted with Mecole Hardman, acquiring him from New York for a sixth-round pick. Hardman, however, had only 25 catches for 297 yards for the Chiefs last season and only one catch with the Jets. Mahomes needs more help.

Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)

Optimist: DE Maxx Crosby is on a tear. The two-time Pro Bowler is tied for seventh in the league in sacks (5.5) and fourth in tackles for loss (eight). If he keeps playing at a high level, he could enter the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. With the 18th-most difficult remaining schedule, per Tankathon, the Raiders could finish with their third winning season over the past 10 years. 

Pessimist: The offense, tied for 27th in points per game (16.7), has underwhelmed, and QB Jimmy Garoppolo leads the league in interceptions (eight). RB Josh Jacobs, meanwhile, is averaging a career-low 2.9 yards per carry. The Raiders won't make the playoffs if the offense remains this bad.

Los Angeles Chargers (2-3)

Optimist: The offense, ranked seventh in the league in points per game (25.4), has improved. QB Justin Herbert is sixth in the league in QBR (67.8) and seventh in completion percentage (68.7 percent). Also, Los Angeles is tied for third in sacks (21). Despite a slow start, the team has the talent to make a postseason push.

Pessimist: This team still can't win close games. Per StatMuse, the Chargers have lost 18 games by three points or less since 2021. It's fair to wonder if the problem ties to head coach Brandon Staley, who's reportedly on the hot seat. Regardless, the Chargers keep finding ways to lose and could miss the playoffs if they don't fix the issue.