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AFC West 2025 Preview: Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos, Raiders Predictions
The AFC West was one of two divisions to produce three playoff teams including the AFC’s top seed.
With the Chargers and Broncos pointing up and the Raiders beginning a new era, the West holds promise to impact the AFC’s playoff picture this fall.
DAZN News Gavin Babbitt examines how the 2025 AFC West could pan out.
Kansas City Chiefs
DAZN BET Division Odds: 20/23
2024 Record: 15-2
The Chiefs came close to finishing with a perfect regular-season record in 2024. Their only legitimate loss came Week 11 in Buffalo. The second came in Week 18 after Kansas City had already clinched a first-round bye.
Offensively, the Chiefs will be efficient with limited turnovers and exceptional yards after the catch. This offense was different in 2024 with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce posting career-low touchdown totals. The pair’s mystique will continue to be an advantage.
Rashee Rice has been suspended for six games, so Mahomes will have to do without his top target until mid-October. Xavier Worthy is the best candidate to emerge out wide - he is a touchdown threat and dangerous with the ball in his hands. The Rice suspension also opens the door for Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
First-round pick Josh Simmons may be the best tackle in this draft class. He will boost efforts at the line of scrimmage. This running attack faced few stacked boxes and will hammer the middle of the field with lead-back Isiah Pacheco.
The Chiefs’ defense limited the run game of opponents last year, but it did allow yards after the catch. With the exit of veteran safety Justin Reid, the pressure is on Trent McDuffie on the back end. Third-round pick Nohl Williams will need to play well at corner, fast.
Chris Jones anchors a pass rush looking for more dominance from Mike Pennel and Mike Danna. The Chiefs drafted Omar Norman-Lott on the interior and Ashton Gillote on the edge. The depth here and at linebacker sets up for pressure and run-stopping power.
With Mahomes and Andy Reid, the Chiefs are Super Bowl threats. Steve Spagnuolo is an elite defensive coordinator. If the pass-catching is there, expect a deep playoff run.
Los Angeles Chargers
DAZN BET Division Odds: 3/1
2024 Record: 11-5
With 11 wins last season, the Chargers were second in the division and the AFC’s fifth seed. They were excellent in limiting turnovers most of the season, but interceptions were a major factor in their loss in the Wild Card to the Texans .
The Chargers’ defense lost defensive linemen Joey Bosa and Poona Ford this offseason.
They reloaded with draft picks Jamaree Caldwell and Kyle Kenard. Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu will lead a pass-rush positioned for another top-10 finish in sacks. Free agent Da’shawn Hand joins excellent run-stopping personnel. Daiyan Henley is an excellent coverage linebacker who balances this front seven.
Ryan Kang/Getty Images
In the secondary, the Chargers return star safety Derwin James and Alohi Gilman. Cam Hart and new addition Donte Jackson will play on the outside. All four are talented, and the Chargers will be difficult to throw against.
Justin Herbert enters his sixth year as a starter. He will target Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston on the outside. Keenan Allen is back in the slot, giving Herbert three solid targets who look to expand yards after the catch. Opportunity is the question mark here in a run-heavy scheme.
The offseason for the Chargers’ offensive line has been up and down. The team lost left tackle Rashawn Slater for the season with a knee injury and added Mekhi Becton at guard. This group has room for improvement as Joe Alt moves from right to left tackle.
Najee Harris and rookie Omarion Hampton are the top two backs. Harris has lacked explosiveness in the past, and Hampton has a good chance of winning the job outright. He is great as a receiver.
The Chargers must adapt if their offensive line struggles. They will play solid defense, but may have to throw more to keep pace in a deep division.
Denver Broncos
DAZN BET Division Odds: 3/1
2024 Record: 10-7
The Broncos exceeded expectations in 2024. They lost to the Bills as the seventh seed in the AFC’s Wild Card round after leading the AFC West in scoring and point differential (+114).
The Broncos’ defense was a top-three unit in points per game, touchdowns allowed, and sacks last year. Denver is loaded with talent at all three levels ahead of 2025.
Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, and Zach Allen are back to lead a pass-rush that led the league in sacks last season. With the addition of Dre Greenlaw at linebacker to pair with Alex Singleton, the Broncos aren’t missing pieces up front.
On the back end, the Broncos have the league’s best corner in Patrick Surtain . The secondary returns two other starters and welcomes Talanoa Hufanga at safety and first-round pick Jahdae Barron.
Barron is versatile, adding flexibility to this defense that could even improve on its 2024 performance.
Bo Nix looks to build on an excellent rookie season . All of his linemen are back, as well as Courtland Sutton, who will receive the majority of targets.
The team added tight end Evan Engram to Nix’s arsenal who has converted nearly 10 yards per reception throughout his career. Denver will continue throwing to different levels of the field.
Second-round pick RJ Harvey, JK Dobbins, and Jaleel McLaughlin make up the running back room. Dobbins is talented but has struggled with injury. Harvey’s ability as a receiver makes this offense more confusing- he could take over as the lead back.
With a step forward from Nix, the Broncos become genuine AFC contenders . This defense is elite paired with a young, upcoming offense.
Las Vegas Raiders
DAZN BET Division Odds: 16/1
2024 Record: 4-13
The Raiders had a long season in 2024. They lost all six division games with the NFL’s worst running game offensively. They were awarded the sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft.
Pete Carroll is in as head coach in Las Vegas, reuniting with Geno Smith at quarterback. The offense must get better for the team to improve.
First-round pick Ashton Jeanty is a monster prospect , but springing him in the NFL versus the Mountain West is two different things.
The Raiders return four of five offensive linemen after a bottom-three finish in yards before contact per attempt, rushing success rate, and explosive runs. Pete Carroll had little success improving offensive lines in Seattle.
Geno Smith has two main players to target- wideout Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers was a target machine in an incredible rookie year. Expect a spike in his touchdown total.
There is a new-look defense in Las Vegas. After Christian Wilkins’ abrupt exit, the pass-rush depends on Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce.
Koonce missed all of last season and will need to recreate his eight sacks from 2023, at least, to help out the second and third levels. The Raiders have a completely new linebacker group led by Germaine Pratt and Elandon Roberts.
The Raiders lost three of four starters in the secondary. They signed Jeremy Chinn at safety and Eric Stokes at corner. Both are prone to allowing touchdowns, which was a problem last year.
Unless the Raiders get career seasons from the majority of their roster, the outlook is tough in the AFC West. The defense is a question mark and will likely struggle to stop offenses from throwing downfield.
AFC West Summary:
The AFC West will be one of the NFL’s most exciting divisions in 2025. The Broncos and Chargers aim to vanquish the Chiefs with excellent defensive play and important contributions from their coaching staffs.
The Chiefs, led by Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, are always a Super Bowl favorite; winning is a part of their DNA. This division could once again produce three playoff teams.
AFC West projected 2025 standings:
- Chiefs: 12-5
- Broncos: 10-7
- Chargers: 10-7
- Raiders: 5-12
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