AFC West Week 6 predictions: Chiefs win 16th consecutive game against Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs aim to continue their dominance against the Denver Broncos, the Las Vegas Raiders seek a second straight victory and the Los Angeles Chargers are ready to rock after a bye. Here are Week 6 predictions.

Denver Broncos (1-4) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-1): The Broncos last beat the Chiefs on Sept. 17, 2015. Since that game, Kansas City has dominated Denver, winning 15 consecutive matchups. Nonetheless, Denver QB Russell Wilson believes the club can change the narrative against its "rival."

"The important thing is we've got to create a new history," he said Tuesday, per the team's website. "Every game has a history of its own, and we've got to be focused on this one and go win this game."  

Wilson's optimism is commendable, but an awful Broncos team isn't going to rewrite history against the defending Super Bowl champions. Superstar Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will shred a Denver defense that has allowed the most points (181) in the NFL. Morale is low for the Broncos, and many believe a "teardown" is coming in Denver.

PREDICTION: Chiefs, 34-23

New England Patriots (1-4) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-3): Surprisingly, Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels is 2-0 against his former boss, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. There's a strong chance he will earn his third victory against a terrible New England team.

The Patriots were outscored 72-3 in their past two games. Per Ed Werder of ESPN, they have 34 straight drives without an offensive TD, the worst mark of Belichick's tenure. In a Wednesday news conference, though, Belichick said he's sticking with underperforming Mac Jones as his starting QB.

The Raiders are tied for 29th in the NFL in points (79), but stellar defensive end Maxx Crosby can carry the team in ugly games. This season, he's ninth in the league in sacks (five) and tied for second in tackles for loss (eight). Expect him to shine against an abysmal offense.

PREDICTION: Raiders, 20-13

Dallas Cowboys (3-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (2-2): On a Tuesday episode of his podcast, Chargers running back Austin Ekeler said there is a "99 percent chance" he'll return against the Cowboys after missing three games with an ankle injury. This creates a problem for Dallas, which ranks 21st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed (617).

A key injury to the Cowboys linebacking corps also makes it harder to stop Ekeler. Todd Archer of ESPN reported former Pro Bowler Leighton Vander Esch is expected to be placed on injured reserve after he suffered a neck injury in a 42-10 loss to the 49ers. Per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, the team is expected to sign former first-round pick Rashaan Evans, adding LB depth.

Dallas ranks 20th in the NFL in passing yards (1,015). Perhaps it misses former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who is now in the same role with the Chargers. He gives Los Angeles a significant advantage because he spent four seasons in Dallas (2019-22) and knows how to attack the Cowboys defense.

PREDICTION: Chargers, 30-24