The Kansas City Chiefs got back in the win column in Week 9! They blew out the New York Jets, pulling away in the second half and getting to 6-2 on the year. It was a welcomed sight after dropping back-to-back games and also losing their stranglehold on the AFC West.
While winning is always fun, the unfortunate news for Chiefs fans is that the Denver Broncos also won their game this week. They're now 7-2 and, as we know, are the leaders of the division.
The Raiders and Chargers also played this weekend but neither won, making it clear as day that the AFC West will go to either Kansas City or Denver this year. Let's check out this week's divisional power rankings and see if the trade deadline shifted anything.
How does the AFC West look after Week 9?
4. Los Angeles Chargers (0-8)
If this were a team outside the AFC West, we might feel badly for them. Going winless in eight games has to be demoralizing, especially with so much hype coming into the year. But, since it's happening to the Chargers, all Chiefs fans can do is chuckle about the situation playing out right now in Los Angeles.
The Chargers' Week 9 matchup wasn't even a close one either. They were blown out by the Texans, another team with a losing record, and dropped the game 44-22. It was a 24-9 Texans lead at halftime and at one point got as bad as 38-9.
A victory for Los Angeles in this game is that they finally managed to score a touchdown. Prior to doing so in the third quarter, the Chargers had gone 37 consecutive drives without finding the end zone. Yeah, it's safe to say that the Mike McDaniel hire has not been going well for the Bolts.
The Chargers' trade deadline was quiet despite how bad they've been this year. They did an in-division trade with the Broncos, sending linebacker Daiyan Henley to the Broncos but that was it.
There is no other option for last place in the AFC West rankings. The Chargers are not only the worst team in the division but they're the worst team in the entire league. No one saw this coming but Chiefs fans are happy to have them out of the way.
Next game: at Ravens (4-5)
3. Las Vegas Raiders (4-5)
Third place in the division was also a no-brainer. The Raiders aren't as bad as the Chargers but also aren't as good as Kansas City or Denver so, here they sit.
Las Vegas once sat at 3-0 and looked to be a possible Cinderella story in the league. Life came at the Raiders fast though, and they're 1-5 since that time. Their latest defeat came at the hands of the 49ers, who curb stomped them to the tune of a 38-17 final.
Kirk Cousins had been the starting quarterback for the Raiders' first nine games but that won't be the case anymore after he was traded to his old stomping ground of Minnesota. That paves way for the Fernando Mendoza era to begin in Sin City and Chiefs fans will finally get to see what the No. 1 overall pick can do for their sworn enemy.
His first two games come against the Seahawks and Broncos' defenses so good luck with that, Fernando. You're going to need it.
Next game: vs. Seahawks (5-4)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)
For the second straight week, I'm going to (unfortunately) put the Chiefs in second place in the power rankings. While the Chiefs ultimately blew the doors off the Jets in Week 9, the game appeared much closer than the score indicated. The Jets were trailing by just two points heading into half time and were moving down the field pretty consistently.
Fortunately for the Chiefs, they revved up the engines in the second half, not allowing the Jets to score again and then going on to score 21 points of their own for a 35-12 final. Patrick Mahomes got dinged up in the win too, and he's the best thing the Chiefs have going for them so that's going to hurt their stock.
The trade deadline saw the Chiefs add help at wide receiver, acquiring Josh Downs in a deal with the Colts. It cost two Day 3 picks but the Chiefs have a reliable receiver for Mahomes to throw to and hopefully, that is enough for this offense to pick it up and play more consistently.
The good news is that there's still a whole half of a season to be played. Hopefully, the Chiefs come out on top when things are all said and done.
Next game: at Falcons (3-5)
1. Denver Broncos (7-2)
It was a close one but the Broncos did ultimately hold off the Panthers, winning in Charlotte by a score of 26-21. Chiefs fans were definitely watching that one with a lot of interest because, had Denver lost, K.C. would have jumped back in front in the AFC West.
The Broncos' offense played better this week and that's been their weakness so far this season. Bo Nix has largely struggled early in games but has been able to do enough late to get the job done.
The good news is that Denver is on a bye next week so they won't be a game ahead, assuming K.C. takes care of business in Atlanta next week. Still, the Broncos get the top spot here because they're in first place and are more talented in the trenches than the Chiefs are. They also have help at wide receiver and a kicker that can -- gasp -- make kicks!
As noted in the Chargers' section, the Broncos added help at linebacker in the form of Daiyan Henley, giving them some help on defense. It's a bit surprising that that's the only thing Denver did but its defense is stronger now with the addition of Henley.
If the Chiefs win convincingly against the Falcons while the Broncos are on their bye week, that'd likely be enough for me to bump them into the top spot in these rankings. If, however, they narrowly win or even lose, they'll continue to be No. 2 in the standings.
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