AFC WEST
In five of the past six seasons, the team which won this division failed to defend its home field in what ended up being its only playoff game that year. No other division has produced as many “one and dones” lately. That’s largely because of the first team in the listings here, but some of that blame has to be placed on the other three teams who keep letting Kansas City play a home game in the postseason. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Kansas City Chiefs honest slogan: “Horrible at Home in January.” That might be a bit too long for the sweatband, but what’s been even longer is the wait that Chiefs fans have had to see their team win a playoff game at home. That hasn’t happened since the team was quarterbacked by Joe Montana, Bill Clinton had just started his first term as President and “Hammer Pants” were in.
Los Angeles Chargers honest slogan: “The Homeless NFL Team.” The Chargers recently left San Diego over stadium issues to play in a temporary home that is pint-sized by NFL standards in anticipation of finding a longer-term home in Inglewood, Calif. Even when they start playing in the new stadium there, it still won’t be their stadium. They will share it with the Los Angeles Rams, who will actually own the stadium.
Oakland Raiders honest slogan: “Leaving for Las Vegas.” Adding one word to the title of a famous Nick Cage movie or Sheryl Crow song, whichever is preferential, accurately sums up the current state of this franchise. The storyline of the looming relocation to Sin City is even bigger than the recent return of “Chucky” to the sideline.
Denver Broncos honest slogan: “Aging Steeds.” The most successful seasons for this franchise over the past two to three decades have come with teams led by quarterbacks who were past their primes. The three Super Bowl victories, quarterbacked by John Elway and Peyton Manning, directly preceded the retirements of both players.