NFL standings, Week 13: Chiefs command AFC West over Raiders

The Kansas City Chiefs took a commanding lead in the AFC West with an overwhelming victory against the Oakland Raiders.

Coming into Week 13, the Kansas City Chiefs were looking at an ever-slimming lead in the AFC West. On Sunday afternoon, they turned away any gaining momentum on the part of the Oakland Raiders to regain a multi-game lead in the division.

The Chiefs initially enjoyed a multiple game lead after four games when they started the season undefeated but injuries took their toll in the season’s midsection. The Chiefs lost key games to the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans in October around the same time the Raiders began to enjoy a win streak of their own. On Sunday, the Raiders had the chance to pull into an actual tie with the Chiefs with a win.

The Chiefs answered any worries with a dominant win over the Raiders on Sunday, giving them a two-game lead heading into the final month of the season. The Chiefs defense intercepted Derek Carr twice, sacked him 2 more times, and came away from a dominant defensive effort and enough Patrick Mahomes heroics to come away with a 40-9 victory.

As for the rest of the West, the already-eliminated Denver Broncos proceeded to eliminate the Los Angeles Chargers in a last-second 23-20 win. It was an impressive showing for Drew Lock in his NFL debut and a sign of good things to come for a Denver team already looking to next year.

All in all, the Chiefs are now in serious control of the division and stand a very solid chance of winning their fourth consecutive AFC West title. Here’s a look at the AFC West as it stands after Week 13.

AFC WEST STANDINGS

1. Kansas City Chiefs — 8-4
2. Oakland Raiders — 6-6
3. Denver Broncos — 4-8
4. Los Angeles Chargers — 4-8