Chiefs Predicted To Cast 'Long Shadow' On AFC West

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 19, 2025 7:20 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs have had their way with the AFC West since before Patrick Mahomes took over the starting role.

Winning the division for nine straight seasons is a huge accomplishment, but with the Chiefs coming off a horror Super Bowl loss, coupled with the perceived improvement of the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, and the Las Vegas Raiders, some think Kansas City's dominance will come to an end.

But not everyone is so quick to cast aside the duo of Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.

NFL.com's Judy Battista ranked all defending division champs from 2024 in order of most vulnerable to least, and the Chiefs came in as the second-least vulnerable division champ, with only the Buffalo Bills in a safer position.

"The Chiefs have won their division a staggering nine seasons in a row, and last year they won it by four games," Battista writes. "So why are they not the least vulnerable? Well, bluntly, the other teams in the AFC West appear to be more of a challenge than the other teams in the AFC East.

"Maybe the Chiefs will wind up with a few more losses than they had last season (two) because the division games should be much tougher. But four games is still a wide margin, and as long as Mahomes is upright, the Chiefs will cast a long shadow."

So yes, the Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders are expected to improve, but so too are the Chiefs.

Plus, Mahomes in his career has a staggering record of 35-5 against AFC West opponents, so until we see the others consistently slay the Chiefs, like Battista, we think it will be hard to knock them off their perch.

That's not to say this year won't be when the streak of nine straight seasons as champion is snapped, but doubt Kansas City at your peril.

Yes, they are coming off a poor Super Bowl loss and a so-so offseason, but don't forget they have perhaps the best quarterback/head coach combo in football.

And that has to count for something considering Mahomes' all-time record against the AFC West.

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

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