NFL standings, Week 8: Chiefs have AFC West on lockdown

The Kansas City Chiefs have a three-game lead over the next closest competitor. They've only played seven games overall.

If that disparity sounds a bit ridiculous, that's because it is. As the NFL heads toward the halfway point of the season in the next week or two, the Chiefs already have the AFC West on lockdown thanks to a strong commitment to mediocrity or worse on the part of their divisional rivals.

With just seven games played, the Chiefs are an impressive 6-1 (and their lone loss was a season opener filled with a litany of errors, miscues, drops, and penalties). Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos, L.A. Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders are far from it. There's not another team in the division that is even at .500, which means it's a good bet to take the Chiefs as division winners—for the eighth season in a row.

The Chiefs will, of course, create even more distance between the competitors for the AFC West title before all is said and done, unless things reverse course. The Chiefs visit the Broncos in Week 8 and could cement them further into the divisional basement with a strong showing at Mile High.

The Raiders might be tempted to cry foul at such an early proclamation of victory within the division considering they have yet to play K.C. and will do so twice. But let's not forget the Raiders just lost to the Chicago Bears and an undrafted free agent quarterback named Tyson Bagent who was in Division II only several months ago.

Here's your AFC West standings heading into Week 8

1. Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)
2. Las Vegas Raiders (3-4)
3. Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
4. Denver Broncos (2-5)