So much for the AFC West being the NFL’s premier, loaded division in 2022.
The Denver Broncos went all-in to trade for quarterback Russell Wilson. The Las Vegas Raiders traded for wide receiver Davante Adams and brought in supposed offensive mastermind Josh McDaniels as head coach. The Los Angeles Chargers traded for pass-rusher Khalil Mack, entered Year 3 with Justin Herbert at quarterback, and had many evaluators thinking they could be a Super Bowl contender.
And here we are through Week 11, with the AFC West race basically over.
Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs took down the Chargers in a wild Sunday Night Football victory that featured an all-too-familiar finish for these teams.
Everyone during the Chiefs-Chargers finish. #SNF pic.twitter.com/TCbbWAxuSx
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 21, 2022
The Chiefs — who were getting lost in the NFL talk with teams like the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles off to hot starts — are now an AFC-best 8-2.
Kansas City has a three-game lead over the 5-5 Chargers, but it’s essentially a four-game lead because the Chiefs clinched the head-to-head tiebreaker by sweeping Los Angeles. Then the Raiders and Broncos are each an extremely disappointing 3-7 after Las Vegas took Denver down in overtime on Sunday.
The Derek Carr-Davante Adams connection for the Raiders win in OT! 🏈🔥
(And the Broncos turmoil continues)pic.twitter.com/DomzVl1OyZ
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 21, 2022
What pundits thought would be a division featuring four playoff contenders has turned into a division that is quite likely decided before we even reach Thanksgiving, and has only one winning team.
The AFC West was deemed the best division in football before the season.
Not much has changed from previous years.
Chiefs: 8-2
Chargers: 5-5
Raiders: 3-7
Broncos: 3-7— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 21, 2022
The Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders believed they were ready to challenge Kansas City, but Mahomes has reminded them who’s king– and that it may stay that way for a long while.
After the Chiefs’ win over the Chargers on Sunday night, the AFC West was heavily mocked by NFL fans on Twitter:
The AFC West spent a billion dollars to stop the Chiefs and it's over for them before Thanksgiving.
— Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) November 21, 2022
So much for the AFC West being up for grabs.
With seven weeks left, the six-time defending division champion Chiefs have opened a three-game lead on the field. They've swept the second-place team, and are up five games on the other two.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 21, 2022
The AFC West odds and it’s only Thanksgiving week. 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/hZydJlKOCa
— Alex Gold (@AlexGold) November 21, 2022
I’m going to have to stop picking against the Chiefs. Even with the injuries and playing on the road Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce just defy Logic. Congratulations to the Chiefs who virtually sewed up the AFC West tonight. https://t.co/MsMjJeuEZm
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) November 21, 2022
I’m currently cackling about how we all thought the AFC West was gonna put KC through the ringer with all the money they spent on QBs and pass rushers this offseason. 8-2, path is clear to 7th straight AFC west title
— Daniel Harms🏈 (@InHarmsWay19) November 21, 2022
August: The 2022 AFC West is the toughest division in the history of the NFL
November: The Chiefs lead the AFC West by 3.5 games and it's not even Thanksgiving. Nevertheless,
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) November 21, 2022
Remember when the AFC West was supposed to be the greatest division in history lol
— Brandon Awadis (@brawadis) November 21, 2022
The AFC West is the Bundesliga, man. League/division is over a month before the season ends
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) November 21, 2022
