Potential fatal flaw for every AFC West team

NFL teams can usually identify their strengths and weaknesses after five weeks of the season. No team is perfect, but some have much bigger issues than others. 

Here is one potentially fatal flaw for every AFC West team.

Denver Broncos: Deep passing game

Before the 2024 NFL Draft, The 33rd Team's Greg Cosell noted one of Bo Nix's weaknesses was arm strength. That assessment has looked correct through the rookie quarterback's first five starts. 

No. 12 overall pick Nix ranks 25th in the league in passing yards (866) and only has two completions of 30-plus yards.  

In fairness to Nix, head coach Sean Payton isn't letting him take many deep shots. According to Pro Football Focus, 71 of his 165 pass attempts have been between zero and nine yards, tied for the 11th most in the league.  

Regardless, Nix must prove he can push the ball downfield. Otherwise, Denver (3-2) may not be able to expand its playbook, which could make its offense too one-dimensional. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Wide receiver depth

Injuries keep depleting K.C.'s receiving corps. 

WR Rashee Rice — who leads the team in receiving yards (288 in four games) — underwent LCL surgery Tuesday. Per The Atheltic's Nate Taylor, Rice's rehab is expected to last four months. K.C. also recently placed WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown (shoulder) on injured reserve, and he will likely miss the rest of the regular season.

A lack of quality WRs is impacting QB Patrick Mahomes, who has averaged a career-low 247 passing yards per game through five starts. The Chiefs (5-0) should consider acquiring another wideout before the Nov. 5 trade deadline, perhaps Amari Cooper of the Cleveland Browns or DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennessee Titans.  

Las Vegas Raiders: Quarterback

The Raiders' dysfunction at the most important position could derail their season. On Wednesday, HC Antonio Pierce confirmed he's benching QB Gardner Minshew and starting Aidan O'Connell in Sunday's home game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2). O'Connell isn't a much better option than Minshew.    

Minshew has more interceptions (five) than TDs (four) through five starts. O'Connell, meanwhile, has completed a below-average 59.4 percent of his passes for one TD and one pick in two games.

As of Wednesday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives Vegas (2-3) a 66.1 percent chance to earn a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. If this happens, the Raiders should consider taking a QB. 

Expect the 2025 class to feature intriguing QB prospects, including Miami's Cam Ward, Alabama's Jalen Milroe and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. 

Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert's role in new offense

Throughout the offseason, new offensive coordinator Greg Roman emphasized developing a run-heavy attack to help Herbert. However, Roman's system has seemingly turned him into a game manager. 

The ground game has improved under Roman, ranking ninth in the league in rushing yards (127.8), but Herbert has passed for fewer than 180 yards in all four of his starts. He failed to surpass this figure in a game only three times in his first four seasons, per the Los Angeles Times' Thuc Nhi Nguyen. 

The Chargers (2-2) have yet to let Herbert attempt more than 27 passes in a game. After losing their past two games, they should let the former Pro Bowler air it out to get back on track.