Halfway through the 2016 season, the AFC West appears to be the NFL’s toughest division.
With three teams yet to concede their third loss of the season, it’s tough to decipher who is the favorite to finish on top of the division. While the 3-5 San Diego Chargers attempt to play spoiler, the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs are in a race to the finish.
But who will win?
Denver Broncos (6-2)
As defending Super Bowl champions, the Broncos deserve a ton of respect. With an elite defense and an offense many have deemed better than last year’s, the Broncos have the pieces to repeat as division and league champions.
However, they’re biggest obstacle has yet to be met as opposing defenses’ book on Trevor Siemian grows and C.J. Anderson isn’t there to lean on. They also haven’t played either of the other two teams with winning records in their division.
Oakland Raiders (6-2)
The newest version of the “Cardiac Kids” have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season, with six of their eight games finishing with a one-score point differential. As the made-over defense slowly figures out how to play together, Derek Carr has played his way into the MVP conversation.
Their prime-time matchup with the Broncos next week will be a true test of their progression before heading into the bye. It’s been 14 years since the Raiders have tasted the postseason, but that trend seems like it will be coming to an end as long as the black and silver can avoid a second-half collapse.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
Few teams are as solidly developed and coached as the Chiefs. Even with Alex Smith in and out of the game Sunday, the offense didn’t miss a beat, putting up 30 points on the Indianapolis Colts. They’ve been able to scrape together a 5-2 record without Jamaal Charles or Justin Houston.
The Chiefs know how to finish a season as they were undefeated from Week 7 onward last season. They currently hold an edge as the only AFC West team with an undefeated record within the division, but with three of their nine remaining opponents being the Broncos, Raiders, and Chiefs, that can change.
San Diego Chargers (3-5)
With back-to-back wins against the Broncos and Atlanta Falcons, the Chargers appeared to have a chance to get into the race this week, but a loss in their rematch to Denver knocked them down a notch. Philip Rivers is having less and less weapons available each week and needs some help from the defense.
Their second-half schedule does have some favorable matchups, and they won’t see another division opponent until Week 15. If Joey Bosa can miraculously lead the Chargers’ defense to a few upset wins, their chances aren’t dead. If it’s just more of Rivers, the Bolts could still play spoiler in late-season contests versus the Raiders and Chiefs.
