What Is the AFC West?
The AFC West is one of four divisions in the NFL’s American Football Conference and includes the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers. It is widely regarded as one of the league’s most competitive and high-profile divisions, thanks to its history of Super Bowl winners, star quarterbacks and passionate fan bases.
In 2025, the division’s structure remains the same, but the competitive landscape has changed significantly. Denver currently leads the pack, the Chargers are in contention, the Chiefs are fighting to stay relevant in the playoff chase and the Raiders are in a rebuilding phase.
2025 AFC West Standings and Power Shift
Current 2025 NFL standings show the Broncos on top of the AFC West at 11–2, followed by the Chargers at 8–4, the Chiefs at 6–7 and the Raiders at 2–11. These records reflect Denver’s strong overall performance, highlighted by an extended winning streak and effective play in both home and conference games.
This marks a notable shift from the previous era in which the Chiefs captured nine straight AFC West titles behind Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Denver’s rise and Kansas City’s struggles have reshaped expectations within the division, with the Chargers also emerging as a credible challenger for playoff positioning.
Playoff Stakes and What to Watch Next
The AFC West race is central to the 2025 AFC playoff picture, as Denver is contending for a top conference seed while the Chargers and Chiefs battle for wild-card spots. Each remaining divisional matchup has outsized importance because head-to-head results and divisional records are key tiebreakers when seeding is determined.
Observers are watching whether Denver can maintain its momentum, whether Los Angeles can convert its solid record into a secure postseason berth and whether Kansas City can avoid a rare season without a division title or even a playoff appearance. Even with a losing record, the Raiders can influence the race by upsetting rivals and affecting final standings.