AFC West Power Shift: Raiders Poised To Take Over?

Despite the Philadelphia Eagles being the reigning Super Bowl champions, the team every franchise wants to beat is the Kansas City Chiefs. Furthermore, the success of Kansas City prevents the Las Vegas Raiders from establishing a presence in the AFC West. After a devastating loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chiefs are not looking as powerful as they once did.

Las Vegas aims to be more competitive this season after facing challenges in the previous year. The Chargers, the team based to the west, have shown significant improvements. Their upcoming game is set to occur in Las Vegas on September 15.

Should the Raiders Worry about Justin Herbert?

From the start, analysts around the world pleaded that Justin Herbert was a superb talent. He appeared to have different moxie in comparison to the past. In addition to his efficient accuracy, Herbert now is a major threat to run the football. The Oregon alum had seven rushes and averaged almost five yards per carry. It is important to note that he was not sliding in most of his runs.

This season, Sin City will require excellent pass coverage. There are not many promising pass defenders in the backend for this roster. Because of this, the dynamic playmakers will be at ease compared to Kansas City. It will be important for the Raiders’ pass rush to impact the quarterback and limit his effect on the game.

Is the AFC West title wide open?

Since 2016, the AFC West champions have donned red and gold. For nearly a decade, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have been the dominant forces in this division. Unlike previous seasons, every AFC West franchise now boasts top-tier coaches and quarterbacks. This division is more competitive than ever.

Not only did the Chargers improve, but the Denver Broncos now have a franchise quarterback in Bo Nix. He dominated in his rookie season with 3,775 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns. His success is aided by one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Theoretically, Las Vegas has caught up to its rivals. Geno Smith and Pete Carroll have entered the conversation. Given the Chiefs’ struggles, now is the perfect opportunity to take over the division. The 2025 season could yield significant benefits for the future of the AFC West.