What are the teams in AFC West? The AFC West has emerged as the premier division in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off their third Super Bowl season in five years. They now have the most Super Bowl victories in division history with four overall.
How much do we really know about the division and the four AFC West teams, however? Let’s examine each team in the division, a bit of history of each of them, and what we can come to expect from the coming season.
Overview of the AFC West
The AFC West has changed a bit throughout the years. Though there are four AFC West teams now, other teams have been in the division. For instance, the Seattle Seahawks were part of the AFC West for many years prior to the most recent realignment.
Now, there are four AFC West teams comprising the division: the Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Los Angeles Chargers. The four have been in the division since its inception, though both the Raiders and Chargers have relocated.
The rivalries have ebbed and flowed throughout the history of the AFC West. Rivalries between the Kansas City Chiefs have had unique rivalries with the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and Denver Broncos at various times. As the king of the AFC West, they are now the target of the entire division.
The current structure in the NFL is as follows: the AFC has the AFC West, AFC East, AFC North, and AFC South. Likewise, the NFC has the NFC East, NFC West, NFC North, and NFC South. Each division has four teams.
Stop the count on this Drew Lock throw! Man, it sucks the Broncos' 4th-best QB in the AFC West couldn't beat the 2nd-best QB in the AFC West two times this year. pic.twitter.com/o3SX2JrA4o
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) February 1, 2021
Kansas City Chiefs
What can you say about the Chiefs that hasn’t been said? They are on the cusp of a dynasty that few teams have ever achieved. Only a handful of teams have ever won three Super Bowls and they are in pursuit of their fifth this season.
Back are Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, and the core of this latest championship team. Head coach Andy Reid is among the greatest ever and will have his team ready to go each and every week of the season.
Until they show otherwise, the Chiefs are in charge of the division. Mahomes and Reid are compared to Tom Brady and Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots dynasty and with good reason. The AFC West belongs to the Chiefs until another team can step up and rip it from their grasp.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders have been all over the place – literally. They have bounced between Oakland, Los Angeles, and now Las Vegas. It has been a long time since they’ve been good and even longer since they’ve won a Super Bowl.
All that said, the Raiders have an interesting group of talent. The defense has impressive pieces like Christian Wilkins and Maxx Crosby as well as Davante Adams, Zamir White, and Brock Bowers on offense. The potential for something special is certainly there.
New coach Antonio Pierce will have a lot to prove. He ended a turbulent 2023 season on a positive note and has good chemistry with the team. Having to battle the Chiefs twice per year is tough but this is an energetic, young team with nowhere to go but up.
Los Angeles Chargers
It is a time of transition for the Chargers. They have been on the cusp of contention for a long time now but couldn’t find consistency. Enter Jim Harbaugh. The former Michigan Wolverines head coach has won at every stop and has the tools needed to get them to their first Super Bowl victory.
Quarterback Justin Herbert is quietly one of the best in football. Tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt could become the best tandem in the league. The defense has talented players like Derwin James, Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Asante Samuel Jr. It would not be shocking to see them rebound in 2024.
This will be an interesting season for the Chargers. They lost a lot of talent in the form of Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler but Harbaugh is a difference-maker. Though this season will be the trial, it may not be long before the Chargers find themselves seriously threatening the reign of the Chiefs.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have a rich history. They were dominant in the 1980s, finally got over the hump at the end of the 1990s, and sent a pair of Hall of Fame quarterbacks riding off into the sunset in the best possible way. But those times are long gone.
Now, head coach Sean Payton has a lot of questions surrounding him. Quarterback Russell Wilson is out the door, replaced by first-round draft pick Bo Nix. The defense is still strong, but the offense needs to fill holes and find production at receiver.
Unless someone has a breakout season, the Broncos should be near the bottom of the division. The defense is solid and nearly brought the Broncos to the playoffs a year ago. If they can get decent quarterback play and lean on the run game, the ceiling could be a playoff spot as a Wild Card.
Key Rivalries in AFC West
Right now, the other three AFC West teams are targeting the Kansas City Chiefs. Each season, other divisions like the AFC East, NFC East, NFC South, NFC North, AFC North, and AFC South are very competitive. Even the NFC West has had some parity. But not the AFC West.
Each season for the last eight (and counting), the Chiefs have won the division title. The playoffs in the AFC have run through Kansas City over the last five years since Patrick Mahomes took over as starting quarterback.
The Chiefs have won a division-record eight straight titles and will look to make it nine this season. The streak is only bested by the unreal chokehold the New England Patriots had on the AFC East for 11 seasons (an NFL record).
Next Season Predictions
When looking ahead to which team will come out on top next season, it’s hard to pick against the Kansas City Chiefs. They are basically a shoo-in for the playoffs at this point and should add to their record of consecutive division titles.
The other AFC West teams are in a state of flux. The Los Angeles Chargers have a new coach and haven’t clinched a division title since 2009. The Denver Broncos are the last team other than the Chiefs to win the division, achieving the feat in the 2015 season. And the Las Vegas Raiders haven’t won since they were the Oakland Raiders all the way back in 2002.
Of the four AFC West teams, the Kansas City Chiefs are the only ones without major questions going into the season. The Chargers lost a ton of offensive talent and have a new coach. The Broncos have a rookie quarterback and a lot of questions. The Raiders? Well, they’re the Raiders.
Historical Achievements
Though things have become imbalanced in recent years, the parity and competitiveness of the division are notable. Each team has won a lot of games over the years while putting some of the greatest players in the history of the game on the field.
Super Bowls
After defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the Chiefs now have the most Super Bowl victories in the division with four. The Raiders have three, all in Oakland. Prior to the Chiefs’ recent run, the Broncos had been the most recent World Champion, having won Super Bowl 50.
The Chargers have been to just one Super Bowl, getting crushed by the aforementioned 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX. The Chiefs are on the shortlist of favorites to go back again this season, seeking to join elite company with a fifth championship.
Hall of Famers and Record-Setters
You don’t have a division with this much history without a few players enshrined in Canton. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable members of each team in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Broncos
There are 15 Broncos in the Hall of Fame. Quarterbacks are the most notable position and rightfully so. John Elway and Peyton Manning were both greats of their eras and went out with Super Bowl victories. Terrell Davis, Champ Bailey, Steve Atwater, John Lynch, Shannon Sharpe, and others have made Mile High a frightening place to play.
Chiefs
The Chiefs have an impressive 25 members enshrined in Canton. Legendary executives Lamar Hunt and Bill Polian helped construct the teams. Len Dawson, Willie Lanier, Joe Montana, Will Shields, and others laid the foundation that Mahomes and company continue to build upon. Plus they have some of the best kickers and running backs in the whole NFL.
Chargers
The Chargers have 15 franchise members in the Hall of Fame. Dan Fouts and Kellen Winslow were among the greats of their era. LaDainian Tomlinson and Junior Seau were the pillars of the ultra-fun teams of the 2000s. Charlie Joiner, Sid Gillman, Bobby Beathard, and others have created a rich history for the Chargers.
Raiders
The Raiders have the most Hall of Famers in the division with a whopping 30. John Madden and Al Davis are in a class of their own. Then there are names like Tim Brown, Howie Long, Marcus Allen, George Blanda, and Ken Stabler who helped establish the winning Raider culture over the years.
Fan Bases and Culture
One of the best things about the NFL, not just the AFC West, is being able to look at the various fan bases. Despite being in the same geographical region, each of the four AFC West teams has a distinct culture that makes them unique compared to one another.
Chiefs Kingdom
Arrowhead Stadium was always one of the most difficult places in the league to play. Now, it has become a place of legend. The decibels reach deafening levels and the road through the playoffs often runs through Kansas City. Some don’t like Chiefs Kingdom but when you win more than anyone, none of that matters.
Raider Nation
Whether they are the Oakland Raiders or Las Vegas Raiders, there may not be a more rabid fan base. Even with more losses than victories each year, the black and silver continues to be an intimidating presence. Though Allegiant Stadium isn’t quite The Black Hole yet, it is just a matter of time.
Bolts Fan Club
The Bolts Fan Club gets a bit of flack and unfairly so. There are diehards in the Chargers’ fan base that have stuck with the team since the early days in San Diego. The powder blue is worn proudly throughout Southern California as the team tries to get over the hump.
Mile High Salute
The Broncos’ fan base is rabid and looking to get back to a level of success that equates to Super Bowl or bust. There are few experiences quite like playing in the altitude at Mile High, and the fan base can be one of the loudest out there.
Final Thoughts
Though a lot of talent left the division after last season, there is a lot of promise in the AFC West. Each team has a pedigree and history that runs deep in the history of the NFL. Though the Chiefs are king right now, the addition of Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers has the potential to turn things around as soon as this year.
Things will be interesting this season. Each team other than the Chiefs is going through a change that could set the stage for the next several years. Will someone emerge to end the reign of terror of Patrick Mahomes?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which team has won the most AFC West titles?
The Chiefs won their 16th AFC West title last season, passing the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers who all had 15. The fact that each team had 15 division titles until last season shows impressive parity.
Who are the biggest stars in the AFC West?
Mahomes is far and away the biggest star of the four AFC West teams. Each year, he has been among the best quarterbacks in the league. Justin Herbert may have dealt with a lot of losses, but the Los Angeles Chargers quarterback is among the best in the NFL. That said, there might not be a bigger star than Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who is the current beau of megastar Taylor Swift.
How can I get tickets to AFC West games?
Buying tickets is simple. There are a variety of ticket platforms where you can buy tickets to a single game or a whole season. Each team has its own ticket office in addition to the national platforms.
What are the top rivalries in the AFC West?
The biggest rivalry going into this year may well be the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Los Angeles Chargers. The Denver Broncos are also big rivals of the Chiefs, though they have had more losses than victories against the Chiefs each year since winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
Which AFC West team has the most Super Bowl wins?
The Kansas City Chiefs have the most Super Bowl victories of the four AFC West teams. Last year was their fourth win, passing the (Oakland) Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos, who have three apiece.
Grateful to be on Tipp and Rippe’s podcast.
Never forget who the AFC West (and NFL) runs through.
Listen to the spaces for details 💯💯💯 https://t.co/e0gf8BR5k5 pic.twitter.com/r6nrgHJvQ0
— Cooper McCoy (@CooperMcCoyRE) May 30, 2024
