AFC West standings after week five of the 2022 season

After five weeks of the 2022 NFL season, the AFC West hasn’t looked as dominant as many were expecting. What are the standings so far?  Many were calling this the best division in NFL history coming into the season, and it truly looks anything but that.  The division has seen some ups and downs, and they are home to a team that has the worst record in football.

It’s an interesting situation.  None of the teams have truly looked dominant, and the division could still come down to the last few weeks of the season.  The Denver Broncos will have their second divisional game in three weeks as they look to beat the Chargers on Monday Night Football in week six.

If the Broncos can come away with that victory, they’d elevate themselves to second in the division and would have the same 3-3 record as the Chargers.  On Thursday night, the Chiefs got the best of the Raiders, as the Raiders fall to 1-4, and the Chiefs improve to 4-1.

What are the division standings after week five?

AFC West standings after week five of the 2022 season

1. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1)

The Chiefs are 4-1 and have picked up right where they left off for the past several years.  Even after trading Tyreek Hill away, the team is still averaging nearly 32 points per game.  Their scoring defense could be better, but they’re winning in ways they usually do.

No one outside of the Buffalo Bills maybe are capable or have shown the ability to run with the Chiefs.  In what was supposed to be a competitive division, the AFC West looks to be the Chiefs’ again.

2. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)

The Chargers are a bit of a mess so far even though they are 3-2.  Head coach Brandon Staley doesn’t look to be doing much to help his team.  The defense is still a bit rough, and the offense isn’t nearly as good as some might have hoped.

His inexcusable decision to go for it on fourth and short at the end of their week five game was approaching fireable offense territory.  I think the team is 3-2 in spite of what they have gone through this season.  Rashawn Slater is gone for the year and Joey Bosa may as well be done for the year as well.  The team has a -14 point differential.

3. Denver Broncos (2-3)

The Denver Broncos first five games were nothing like most of the NFL expected.  They sit at third in the AFC West with a pivotal game coming up against the Chargers.  The defense is among the league’s best, but the offense has only scored 75 points this season, with a high of just 23 against the Raiders.

They also have the most money in the NFL on injured reserve.  Garett Bolles and Ronald Darby are lost for the season.  Josey Jewell might miss some time, and Randy Gregory recently had a small knee procedure.  The Broncos are a mess, but a win against the Chargers can change a lot.

4. Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)

Man, are the Raiders a bit of a mess.  They continually grab defeat from the jaws of victory, and that was on display on Monday night.  The team has some serious talent and has shown the ability to open up large leads against quality teams.

They simply collapse when they absolutely cannot.  They, like the Chiefs, have a very good scoring offense but a less than average scoring defense.  Josh McDaniels has certainly left his mark on the team in his first season.

His team now sits in the cellar in the AFC West, but I think they are better than their record indicates.