It is hard to argue that there is a stronger division in the NFL this season than the AFC West. If the playoffs started tomorrow, the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs would both make the postseason, with the Denver Broncos on the fringe. The Raiders are atop the division and would enjoy a first-round bye if playoffs were to begin this week. Even the San Diego Chargers, currently at the bottom of the AFC West, would be in contention for a title in the AFC North or AFC South. Below is how the AFC West will be won this season.
Breaking Down the AFC West Playoff Picture
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders (9-2) currently hold the division lead, but can they stay on top? Oakland has looked very impressive this year, particularly on offense. Many believe that Jack Del Rio’s squad may be the AFC team that presents the biggest challenge for New England Patriots in the playoffs. The Raiders have two remaining home games, against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13 and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. Both are winnable games, but they have the potential to go either way. What is most difficult about the Raiders schedule however, is that their remaining games within the division are all on the road.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs (8-3) are coming off an overtime win on the road at Denver and are in second place in the AFC West. Andy Reid‘s team will have difficult tests in the next two weeks, when they take on two high scoring offenses. The Chiefs are on the road at the Atlanta Falcons in Week 13 and home against the Raiders in Week 14. From there Oakland will play the Tennessee Titans, who are competing for a divisional title of their own, and then have a rematch against the Broncos at home. The Raiders finish up their season on the road at San Diego. That tough schedule aside, the Chiefs are built to be a playoff team. They have a top defense, a strong run game, and a reliable quarterback, in Alex Smith, who keeps the club moving.
Denver Broncos
The next contender in the AFC West are the Broncos, the defending Super Bowl champions. The Broncos (7-4) have been able to overcome the loss of Peyton Manning by running the ball and playing great defense. This week they travel East to play the Jacksonville Jaguars who shouldn’t give Denver much of a problem.
But the Broncos away schedule gets tougher from there with games at Tennessee in Week 14 and a rematch with the Chiefs at Kansas City in Week 16. Their home schedule may be even more difficult with the Patriots sandwiched in between the above mentioned games in Week 15 and then another matchup with the Raiders in Week 17, to finish the regular season.
San Diego Chargers
The Chargers (5-6) have, so far, been unable to overcome their slow start to the 2016 season, or with the injuries to many of their offensive playmakers. But the Chargers could still have a real impact the divisional race. Mike McCoy‘s team has already played the Broncos twice, but they have remaining home games against the Raiders in Week 15 and the Chiefs in Week 17. Those games could have very real implications in the race for the division crown.
Another team that has a chance to make a major impact in the AFC West down the stretch is the Titans. Mike Mularkey‘s team will play the Broncos at home in Week 14 and at the Chiefs in Week 15. The Titans are currently battling the Houston Texans to try to win the AFC South and will no doubt be ready to go for these games.
It is great to see football games with meaning late in the season. With the Raiders, Chiefs, and Broncos all vying for a divisional title and a playoff spot, these next few week weeks will be very interesting In the AFC West. It may all come down to Week 17 with the Raiders at the Broncos and the Chiefs at the Chargers. These games will likely determine not only the divisional champion, but which of these teams receive wild card bids.
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