AFC West Power Rankings: Raiders Make Their Move After Week 1

What an opening week it was in the AFC West. There were upsets, big wins and an intriguing divisional matchup. Let’s take a look at how it all impacted our power rankings.

The Raiders got off on the right foot with a much-needed win over the Miami Dolphins. For the first time in a while, Las Vegas looked like a real NFL team with a clear identity. That said, the Dolphins team they beat was awful, and a win like that can only move the needle so much. The Raiders remain at the bottom of the division for now, but things are headed in the right direction. Their next opponent will offer a great chance to prove they’re ready to move up.

Yikes. This was supposed to be the year the Chargers finally put it all together. Instead, they were beaten soundly by *checks notes* Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals. It’s worth noting that a fourth-quarter meltdown made the game look more lopsided than it actually was. Nevertheless, this moneyball defense is starting to look like a unit built on a bunch of nobodies and two aging stars. Also, Justin Herbert looks more like Philip Rivers every year. The Chargers better figure things out in a hurry, because a loss to the Raiders this week would likely sink them to the bottom of this list.

So much for thinking the Broncos would build on last year’s deep playoff run. They were run out of the building on Monday Night Football in a 31-10 loss in Kansas City to a Chiefs team that wasn’t even good last season. What was most concerning was the way Denver got bullied in the run game. Also, Bo Nix simply cannot carry an offense on his own. That said, it’s still too early to fully write this team off. Then again, that game might say more about the Chiefs being back than anything else…

Oh no. The Chiefs look all the way back. They also apparently have a run game now. Between that and a revamped defense, Patrick Mahomes no longer has to carry the team on his back as he works his way back from injury. The offense also looks more cohesive with the return of Eric Bieniemy. Kansas City suddenly looks scary again.