What Is the AFC West?
The AFC West is one of four divisions in the American Football Conference of the NFL, consisting of the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers. Historically, it has featured some of the league’s most passionate fan bases and high-profile quarterbacks, from John Elway to Patrick Mahomes.
In recent years the division has been synonymous with offensive fireworks and tight playoff races, often sending multiple teams into postseason contention. The 2025 season continues that tradition, but with a notable twist: the balance of power at the top has shifted.
Broncos Clinch 2025 AFC West Title
The Denver Broncos have clinched the 2025 AFC West division title, ending a drought that stretched back to their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season. Their latest victory locked up the division crown and guaranteed them at least a top-four seed in the AFC playoffs, signaling the franchise’s full emergence from a long rebuilding phase.
This breakthrough reflects successful changes in coaching, roster construction and quarterback play that have stabilized a team long plagued by inconsistency. By overtaking the Chiefs and holding off the Chargers and Raiders, Denver has reclaimed its place as a premier franchise in one of football’s toughest divisions.
Impact on Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers and the AFC
The Broncos’ ascent has direct consequences for their AFC West rivals. For the Chiefs, losing their grip on the division could mean tougher playoff paths and heightened scrutiny on how they adjust personnel and schemes to counter Denver’s rise. The Raiders and Chargers, meanwhile, must accelerate their own improvements to remain competitive in a division that now has two established contenders at the top.
League-wide, the AFC playoff picture becomes more complex with Denver positioned as a strong home-field threat. Opponents must prepare for the challenge of playing meaningful January games in Denver, while front offices across the West prioritize building defenses and offensive lines capable of surviving a grueling divisional schedule that now runs through the Broncos.