The 2025 season has turned into one of the most unpredictable years in recent NFL history. The Chiefs have won the AFC West nine straight times but enter Week 10 in third place. The Bills have won every AFC East title since 2020 but currently look up at the Patriots in the standings.

We have to win them,” quarterback Bo Nix said Tuesday when asked about playing in AFC West matchups. “These are the ones that have the most weight to them. These are the ones that you have to go in there and win to set yourself up for the playoffs.

Midway through the 2025 NFL season, the Denver Broncos are sitting in first place in the AFC West with a 7-2 record. The Los Angeles Chargers (6-3) defeated the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, but they're still a game behind Denver. The Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) lost to the Buffalo Bills and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Chiefs, Bills and Ravens have dominated the AFC for years, but that’s far from the case through nine weeks of the regular season.

The Broncos have a chance to snare the AFC’s top seed, and definitely a path to win the division. Rashid Shaheed for a third-round pick makes a lot of sense for a team going for it.

In Week 10, the Kansas City Chiefs are scheduled for the annual bye week. All three of the AFC West foes will be playing, however. The Broncos are coming off an 18-15 victory on the road over the Houston Texans in Week 9. The Raiders came up short in a 30-29 overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs gained a victory in Week 7, but so did one imposing AFC West division rival in the Denver Broncos.

The New York Jets likely took the Cincinnati Bengals out of the AFC North hunt with their upset win. The Dallas Cowboys' playoff chances took a massive hit with their loss to the Denver Broncos, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be cruising toward their fifth straight NFC South title.

According to reports, the Broncos' AFC West rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders, are also open to landing Njoku before the trade deadline. This season, Njoku has recorded 260 yards and tow touchdowns on 27 receptions. His output has been affected by Cleveland's struggles in the quarterback role.