Kansas City Chiefs Laugh At AFC West In 2024

One thing in the NFL is certain, the massive gulf between the Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the AFC West. Who manages to secure second place?

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The AFC West has been Kansas City’s dominion for years now, and it is hard to imagine 2024 being any different. In fact, the other three teams have taken the path of, if not a full rebuild, at least a soft reset. It doesn’t seem like anyone else is even going to try for a division title this season. It is Kansas City’s to lose once again.

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Not that the Kansas City Chiefs wouldn’t be deserving. They certainly seem like one of the best teams in football yet again. In the AFC West there is nary a team worth mentioning in the same conversation as the Chiefs. So is the AFC West a done deal? Will second place be the real competition?

AFC West Division Preview

Todd Salem – Kansas City Chiefs Will Roll

In Kansas City it all starts with the best coach and quarterback pairing in the league. Pair that with an elite offensive line and a suddenly great defense, and this team is hard to beat. L’Jarius Sneed is the only major departure from a defense that was superb a year ago, though Trent McDuffie still remains as a shutdown replacement.

On offense, KC has even improved, or so it would seem. With Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown, at least the front office is continually attempting to find capable pass catchers for Patrick Mahomes to throw to.

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After the Chiefs, it is a scramble for the bottom. Last season, Las Vegas and Denver finished tied at 8-9, with Los Angeles bringing up the rear at 5-12. It is easy to imagine the Chargers finishing last once again, considering the path the organization has taken. Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert are bearing down for that full rebuild we mentioned. Out are all skill players of any name and quality. The best pass catcher on the team is…journeyman tight end Will Dissly?

On defense, a few of the veterans still remain to hopefully hold serve, but this defense was terrible in recent seasons regardless. Harbaugh is instituting a full rebuild around the offensive line and taking it one step at a time. 2024 is not their year.

The Raiders fall somewhere in between. They surprised folks last year with a very good defense yet broken offense. Some of the best parts of the offense are still around, namely Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. But Gardner Minshew is just a placeholder at quarterback, and this feels like a placeholder season. If the defense remains steady, mark them down for another .500 season, giving a game in either direction. But a step back on that side of the ball would push them even further from first place.

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Denver is swinging more wildly toward Los Angeles’ end. The Broncos made the curious decision to reach for Bo Nix as their franchise passer. Without much quality competition, it is anyone’s guess how soon the offense is turned over to the rookie. That offense is lacking elite pieces, as well as depth, but has some veterans to help the young man. It just doesn’t feel like much upside exists here, at least in year one. Could this offense surprise us like Houston last season, where a rookie QB helps elevate previously underrated skill players? No, I’m going with no.

The defense is what has carried Denver in the past, but this unit could be one of the worst in the sport this season. If LAC doesn’t finish last in the AFC West, it will only be because the Broncos out-tank them and rebuild harder. 

1. Kansas City
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2. Las Vegas
3. Denver
4. Los Angeles

Dan Salem – Chargers Will Surprise Teams

We’ve predicted very little change across the AFC thus far, and the AFC West will be no different! Truthfully, this very likely makes us wrong, but not in the west. No sir, because the Kansas City Chiefs are the same team that won a Super Bowl last season. With weaker competition in the division, the Chiefs will take it easy during the year and easily finish in first place.

Here’s where things get very interesting in my opinion. It’s true that Los Angeles and Denver are rebuilding. Even the Raiders are rebuilding in their own way, but here’s what is different. The Chargers have consistently under-performed with a decent team on paper. They have a very good quarterback. Los Angeles is poised to jump into second place in the AFC West simply with better coaching in 2024.

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There are enough pieces around Herbert for the Chargers to be competitive and win eight or nine games, a huge improvement over last season. I don’t see them tanking, but I do see Denver tanking. Nothing but complete shock will prevent the Broncos from being bad to worse. They pull up the rear of this “unique” division.

This leaves Las Vegas in third place. I view the Raiders as a game worse than last season and a game behind the Chargers. Its mediocrity at its worst.

1. Kansas City
2. Los Angeles
3. Las Vegas
4. Denver

Meet our Writers:

Dan Salem is Lead Editor and Co-owner of BuzzChomp. He’s an award winning Actor, Director and Producer. Visit M Square Productions for his film work, or get lost in his old-school comedy on Pillow Talk TV. You can follow him on X, TikTok and Instagram. His latest film ‘Alone’ is now on Amazon.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer and Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also a champion of fantasy football and fantasy baseball, dominating leagues for over two decades. Comment below on his unfiltered opinions.

Kansas City Chiefs Photo Credits: usatoday.com and si.com via Getty Images

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