There's only one clear answer to who has dominated the AFC West over the past decade: Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers have often appeared helpless as their rival solidified control not only over the division but the entire NFL.
That supremacy might be coming to an end soon. According to The Athletic's Nick Kosmider's bold prediction, the Broncos will break the Chiefs' reign in the 2025 season.
"Denver has its most complete roster since winning the Super Bowl in 2015," Kosmider said. "Its defense may be football’s best after adding Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga to a unit that was already first in EPA per snap in 2024."
The Broncos last won the division in 2015, with the Chiefs dominating the last nine titles. But this season, Denver's defense is viewed as a cornerstone of its success. The offense also showed promising growth, anchored by quarterback Bo Nix, who is coming off an outstanding rookie season.
According to Kosmider, Nix benefits from more weapons this year, including tight end Evan Engram. Running backs RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins bring depth and explosiveness to a running game.
"The West will be a gauntlet," Kosmider noted, "but the Broncos, in Sean Payton's third season, have enough to finally loosen Kansas City's dominant grip on the division."
Denver's schedule features challenging matchups, but optimism runs high after last year's 10-win campaign and playoff berth.
The Broncos open their 2025 season at home against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 7. Bo Nix and Co. will benefit from facing a rookie quarterback in Tennessee's starting role.