Strap in, friends, I’m here to predict the improbable and sometimes ridiculous with reckless abandon. Bold Predictions: Week 12, AFC West Edition. If you’re looking for logic-supported certainty, this ain’t it.

The Chiefs would fall short of a historical streak if they miss the playoffs. They’ve appeared in the NFL postseason for 10 straight seasons. Only the New England Patriots’ streak of 11 AFC East titles (2009-19) — broken by the Bills — is longer.

At this point in the season, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are usually cruising toward another division title and being touted as Super Bowl favorites. Instead, they're losing the close games they used to win and,

Welcome back to my weekly AFC West check-in – a quick, data-driven power ranking that tracks how the divisional shifts from Sunday to Sunday. Rankings aren’t box-score trophies – they’re context-adjusted judgments on where these teams are at and who’s sitting pole week to week.

A longtime assistant (and one-timed failed Broncos HC), Joseph is expected to be among the hottest names in the 2026 NFL hiring cycle after spearheading a Denver defense that ranks first in sacks, passing touchdowns allowed, and rushing yards per attempt; and third in total yards allowed, points allowed, and rushing yards allowed.

What to know: The Chiefs have won the AFC West nine straight times. Is this the year that streak ends? Denver is 9-2 and the Chargers are 7-4, and both teams have one win over K.C. already, meaning the 5-5 Chiefs are well behind two teams in their own division.

Each week of the NFL season, I’ll grade each AFC West team’s performance with a report card that tells the truth. Offense, defense, and overall performance will be measured accordingly. My grades aren’t about the box scores,

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones seems to be trying to stay positive following their previous game. After a heartbreaking loss against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs now stand at 5-5 in the AFC West division.