Denver Broncos no longer at bottom of AFC West standings in Week 9
After week eight of the 2022 NFL season, the AFC West does not look nearly as strong as many thought the division would be leading up to the season. Perhaps that could be a good thing, though. Each team in the division has a clear weakness, so maybe there’s some more movement there. The Denver Broncos were the only team in the division to win last week, as the Raiders lost, and the Chiefs and Chargers were on their bye week. Both the Raiders and Chargers are going through their fair share of issues, so the Broncos aren’t alone.
The Chiefs are still the Chiefs, but their defense is a bit shaky. The division is still wide open for the taking, but none of the Broncos, Raiders, or Chargers look strong enough to take down the Chiefs. Where does each team fall in the division standings?
AFC West standings heading into week nine
1. Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
The 5-2 Chiefs appear to be the best team in the division again. Their offense has been up right where it’s always left odd. Patrick Mahomes is being Mahomes and the defense remains good enough.
They do appear to be a bit below Buffalo, but this seems to be a solid bet to be the AFC Championship game again.
2. Los Angeles Chargers (4-3)
The Chargers have a worse point differential than the Broncos but have won one more game. The Chargers are battling some of the same issues that Denver is with coaching and injuries.
However, more people across the NFL seemed to be higher on the Chargers going into the season, and they are just barely hanging on to life in the AFC at 4-3. They were on their bye week this week.
3. Denver Broncos (3-5)
The Denver Broncos snapped a four-game losing streak and beat the Jaguars in London last week. Nathaniel Hackett’s job appears to be safe for now, but I think a case can be made to fire him if the team comes out flat against the Titans after the bye week.
Denver needs to string some wins together if they want to save their season.
4. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)
Perhaps the most disappointing team in the NFL is the Raiders, who are 0-4 away from their home stadium. They got shut out for the first time in eight years against the New Orleans Saints, and Josh McDaniels is proving to not be head coach material in the NFL.
It’s not looking good for the Raiders to turn their season around, even in a weaker-than-expected AFC West.