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Analyst Predicts Chiefs As 'Wildcard' Team In 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 8:46 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs have heard all offseason about how they are no longer the team to beat in the AFC, and their division will see a different winner for the first time in nine years.

But given that Patrick Mahomes is still upright and Andy Reid is the head coach, until we see it, the Chiefs remain the top dog.

Granted, others see the Super Bowl loss, coupled with the offensive line issues and the projected improvement of the other AFC West teams, as "the" year the Chiefs will be knocked off their perch.

And Colin Cowherd thinks so, too.

"I think Kansas City is a wildcard team," Cowherd said. "Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers now they have their running back situation and offensive tackle set, upgrade at receiver, last year the only thing they were missing was juice offensively. Their defense finished almost near the top of the league. I think they're going to be one of the better teams in the league. I think they're an 11-12 win team, and the Chiefs come into the season, which would concern me with offensive line issues, so I like the Chargers to win the division."

Right, there is a bit to work through.

If the Chargers are to be an 11 or 12-win team and win the division, the Chiefs would have to win just 10 games in the regular season, something Mahomes has done just once in his career.

Plus, the Chargers' receiver room, featuring Mike Williams, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and rookie Trey Harris, as Justin Herbert's weapons, is that enough? We shall see.

The big driver of this take is the Chargers' run game, and that is valid with Omarion Hampton, but as is always the case, until we see otherwise, the Chiefs get the benefit of the doubt here.

The kings of the AFC and AFC West have their detractors in 2025, but until they are actually dethroned, it's as you were.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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