Raiders Fading Fast in Latest AFC West Power Rankings

It was a relatively quiet week in the AFC West.

One team had a bye, and the other three went a combined 1-2, which left little room for major movement. Still, a light week can reveal a lot about where each club stands, especially this far into the season, when every result carries added weight in the division race.

Some teams helped their cases more than others, and a few of the questions surrounding this group got no easier to answer. Here’s how it all shook out in the rankings.

4. Los Angeles Chargers

Trending: Steady

For the first time all season, the Chargers did not lose. Of course, that’s because they were on a bye. Los Angeles badly needed the week off to sort out whatever has gone so wrong with this team, but chances are it will take a lot more than a week to fix it. The Chargers had better hope they figured something out, because they face the Rams this week in the battle for Los Angeles.

Up next is the only team in the league with an actual fan base in L.A.

3. Las Vegas Raiders

Trending: Down

It was fun while it lasted, Raider Nation. Any hopes of a playoff push appear to be gone now that the Raiders have lost four straight. Las Vegas is a better team this year, but the most recent loss to the Rams was a great example of how the Silver and Black simply lacks the talent to keep pace with the league’s best teams.

That leaves the Raiders stuck in no man’s land. They are good enough to stay in the wild-card hunt for most of the year, which means they won’t be in line for a top pick in the 2027 draft. Unfortunately, this roster also has 8-9 written all over it. A much-needed get-right game awaits this week against the Jets.

The Raiders have also officially been jumped by the only team in the division to win a game this week…

2. Denver Broncos

Trending: Up?

The Broncos finally won a game in somewhat convincing fashion, though it came against the lowly Arizona Cardinals. The performance also did little to instill confidence in Bo Nix, who once again completed just over half his passes for fewer than 250 yards. He did break the game open with a 62-yard touchdown run. Oddly enough, that run was longer than any pass he has thrown this season. His longest completion also came this week, a 52-yard touchdown pass to running back RJ Harvey, who did most of the work on the play.

Plenty of questions still surround this Broncos team, but they are 5-2 and riding a three-game winning streak. It may be ugly, but this team gets results. Denver will have a great chance to prove it is truly getting better this week when it faces the Chiefs in a division rematch.

Speaking of those Chiefs…

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Trending: Down

Oof, the Chiefs did not look great Sunday night against the Seahawks. Kenneth Walker was stuffed all night, averaging just 2.6 yards per carry, and Patrick Mahomes did not fare any better, throwing for just 165 yards. The defense is not without blame, either. It struggled to get off the field throughout the game, which allowed Seattle to control the clock and limit Mahomes’ opportunities.

The game also exposed Kansas City’s biggest weakness: the offensive line. While the unit is better this year, it continues to struggle against blitzes and elite pass rushers. Unfortunately, the Chiefs also lack the weapons to punish loaded boxes, which makes the problem worse. Mahomes and Walker will have to find a way to carry this offense to at least 20 points if they want to sweep the Broncos.