AFC West standings: Chiefs join Broncos in last place in Week 7

The good news is that if you saw this coming—any of it at all—in the AFC West, you’re likely much richer for your knowledge since you likely placed a wager on this NFL season playing out as it has.

The K.C. Chiefs came into the 2021 season as the odds-on favorites to represent the AFC in yet another Super Bowl—their third in a row. At present, they’re sitting in the basement of the AFC West, and if the season ended today, the Chiefs would be on the outside looking in. At 3-4 overall, the Chiefs have now lost to every single division leader in the AFC, putting them far, far behind any real hopes of getting a postseason bye.

Then again, the very idea of the Chiefs as a playoff team is enough t elicit laughter from football fans. They just laid an egg on the road against the Tennessee Titans, a game in which the Chiefs put up a mere field goal with an offense featuring Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tryeek Hill, and more.

The Chiefs are looking up at the Raiders in the latest AFC West standings.

Just as the Chiefs are descending, the Las Vegas Raiders are ascending. Despite the problems created by Jon Gruden’s past and subsequent exit from the organization, the Raiders have sustained their winning ways the last couple of weeks and are in control of the division. They’re followed by a Chargers team that looks ready to follow through on the expectations placed on them every preseason.

While the Denver Broncos are proving that quarterback is the most important position as they sit in last place with the Chiefs, the entire West still feels upside-down. It’s going to remain that way until the Chiefs can be honest with themselves and start to diagnose what’s wrong with the team—if that’s even possible in 2021.

Here’s an official look at the AFC WEST standings after Week 7.

1. Las Vegas Raiders – 5-2
2. L.A. Chargers – 4-2
3. Kansas City Chiefs – 3-4
4. Denver Broncos – 3-4

To get a better picture of the entire conference, here’s a look at the rest of the AFC.

AFC EAST

1. Buffalo Bills – 4-2
2. New England Patriots – 3-4
3. New York Jets – 1-5
4. Miami Dolphins – 1-6

AFC NORTH

1. Cincinnati Bengals – 5-2
2. Baltimore Ravens – 5-2
3. Cleveland Browns – 4-4
4. Pittsburgh Steelers – 3-3

AFC SOUTH

1. Tennessee Titans – 5-2
2. Indianapolis Colts – 3-4
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1-5
4. Houston Texans – 1-6