4. Las Vegas Raiders
Last season, the Chiefs was a perfect 2-0 against the Las Vegas Raiders, and neither contest was close. In Week 10, Kansas City won 41-14. In Week 14, the Chiefs won 48-9.
The Raiders made it to the playoffs last season after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers in the regular-season finale. After being eliminated from the Wild Card round by the Bengals, the team got a lot better paper.
They have a new head coach in Josh McDaniels, and the front office pulled off one of the most shocking trades of the offseason — acquiring wide receiver Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for their 2022 first- and second-round draft picks. Oh, and they got cornerback Rock-Ya Sin in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts and signed top pass-rushing free agent Chandler Jones to a three-year, $51 million contract.
Las Vegas got a whole lot tougher on paper. Even so, divisions are won by defeating their rivals.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
Yes, the last rival of the Chiefs in the AFC West. The Chargers gave the Chiefs a run for their money last season. Los Angeles defeated Kansas City 30-24 in Week 3, but lost a thrilling Week 15 game 34-28 in overtime.
This offseason, the Chargers addressed their defense by getting the top cornerback in free agency in J.C. Jackson, signing him to a five-year, $82.5 million contract. They also made the additions of corner Bryce Callahan and linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
The Chargers are going to be a formidable foe for the Chiefs with Justin Herbert as the team’s starting quarterback. As mentioned earlier, Kansas City needs to beat their rivals if they want to win the AFC West for the seventh-consecutive season.