What are the AFC West standings by year? The AFC West, home to the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, has become the cream of the crop in the American Football Conference (AFC). The AFC West, home to not only the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos as well, has become the division to beat.
There is a deep history in this division. Though it has become synonymous with Super Bowl wins, the AFC West has a long and deep history. Let’s take a deep dive to look at the history of the division.
History of the AFC West Division
Beginning with the 1970 season, the American Football League’s Western Division had since merged with the NFL. Now, the American Football Conference was one of two, home to the AFC West, AFC Central (now split AFC North and AFC South), and the AFC East.
Though some teams are now defunct or since relocated (Oakland Raiders are now in Vegas, San Diego Chargers now in Las Angeles), current teams play in other divisions. The Seattle Seahawks are in the NFC West, for instance. The Cincinnati Bengals left the division after the merger, going to what would become the AFC North.
AFC West Teams
As it stands, there are four teams currently in the AFC West:
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Las Vegas Raiders
AFC West Standings by Year
Looking through history, every division – be it the NFC West, NFC North, NFC East, NFC South, AFC South, AFC North, AFC East, or AFC West – shows a team that stood above the pack for even a little while. Let’s look through history at the AFC West division and which teams controlled the landscape at that time.
1990s
The 1990s were arguably the most competitive in the AFC West. The Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos won the division title three times apiece while the Chargers garnered two, and the Raiders and Seahawks one each.
That said, the AFC West team that stands out most is the Broncos. They finished the decade by winning the Super Bowl in 1998 and 1999, sending legendary quarterback John Elway off as a champion in his last game.
2000s
The Raiders began the new millennium with three straight division titles, even winning the conference in 2002. The Chiefs and Broncos got one title in the middle while the Chargers clinched the division in four straight years.
Unfortunately for the AFC West, no one was strong enough to win the NFL crown. The Raiders made Super Bowl XXXVII, only to lose handily to the Buccaneers. Disappointment in the playoffs became common for each team during this stretch.
2010s
The Denver Broncos dominated the first half of the 2010s. Beginning with the 2011 season, the Broncos would win five AFC West titles in a row, making it 15 total (tying the Broncos and Raiders for the most.
The Broncos also managed to end 2015 atop the NFL, winning Super Bowl 50 to send yet another legendary quarterback – Peyton Manning – off on a high note. But things changed in the AFC West starting in 2016 and it has been a reign of terror since.
The Kansas City Chiefs took a stranglehold over the AFC West. Their conference record unmatched, the Chiefs would win the final four division championships of the 2010s. More importantly, their team found a quarterback who would change the game in Patrick Mahomes.
2020s
The 2020s have entirely belonged to the Chiefs. Since winning the Super Bowl in 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs have won every AFC West title of the decade. After winning the AFC West in 2023, they are now up to eight division titles in a row.
Even more importantly for the Chiefs, they have won the last two Super Bowls, bringing them to three titles in the last five seasons. The Chiefs now have the most Super Bowl wins of any team in the division as well.
Team Performance Over the Years
Now that we know how the AFC West has fared throughout the years, how about each team? Let’s look at the peak periods for each member of the AFC West.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos go in stretches. They dominated the 1980s and 2010s, winning nine of their 15 division titles in those decades. When they have an elite quarterback – like John Elway and Peyton Manning – they are at the top.
Currently, the team is undergoing a change. Quarterback is a mess, and the team hasn’t been back to the playoffs since winning Super Bowl 50 in 2015. There is a lot of work to be done in Denver.
Kansas City Chiefs
What can you say about the Chiefs that hasn’t been said? They are the dominant team not only in the AFC West, but the NFL at large. They have won three of the last five Super Bowls and the last eight AFC West titles.
With Patrick Mahomes at the helm, there is no telling how high they can go. It is conceivable that the team and Mahomes challenge for greatness that only one of each (the Patriots and Tom Brady) have managed.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders haven’t won the division since 2002 when they lost in the Super Bowl. They’ve only been to the playoffs twice since and have been through 12 coaches in that 20-year span.
There is a lot of young talent in Vegas but a lot of work to be done. With Mahomes dominating the division, the Raiders will need to get younger, faster, and hungrier on defense if they are going to eventually challenge the kings of the division.
Los Angeles Chargers
Every year, the Chargers are one of the most tantalizing teams in the league. They have all the talent in the world and a quarterback (Justin Herbert) who could conceivably win NFL MVP. But they just can’t manage to put it all tighter.
Their last division championship came in 2009 with Rivers at the helm. Herbert has the talent to get them there, but can they figure things out with the roster to make it happen? Jim Harbaugh certainly makes things look more promising.
Standout Moments in AFC West History
There are plenty of Super Bowls between the four teams, but there are two things that stand out. First, the Broncos playing the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. Elway, trying to get that elusive title, runs for a first down and is spun in the air like a helicopter, yet holds onto the ball. The Broncos would go on to win and defend their crown successfully a year later.
The other has to do with the comebacks of Patrick Mahomes. He has engineered three of them in his career and at the biggest moments possible. His 4th quarter heroics helped beat the San Francisco 49ers (twice) and Philadelphia Eagles on the biggest stage of all.
Mahomes directing the Chiefs offense in 2021
Recent Trends and Future Outlooks
For now, the AFC West belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs. Until Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce drops off or the team falls apart, doubting them is foolish. They have won three Super Bowls in five years and eight straight division championships.
The Broncos and Raiders have young teams with talent but need a lot of work. The Chargers are the most intriguing after the hire of coach Jim Harbaugh. The man gets results everywhere he goes, and is coming off the first national championship for the Michigan Wolverines program since 1997. If anyone can challenge Mahomes, it’s Harbaugh.
Key Takeaways
Like any division, the AFC West has its own trends. Right now, every season belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs until they prove that they can’t win. The Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers are all in various stages of a rebuild, so being competitive is their best hope.
Quarterbacks rule the division. Ken Stabler in the 1970s, John Elway in the 1980s and 1990s, Rich Gannon and Phillip Rivers in the 2000s, and Peyton Manning and Patrick Mahomes in the 2010s/2020s. With Mahomes not even being 30 years old, the other teams will have a tough time usurping his throne.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which team has won the most AFC West titles?
The Kansas City Chiefs have 16 division titles (and counting). The Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders each have 15 division championships apiece.
How often do AFC West teams make the playoffs?
During the 1990s and much of the 2000s, all four AFC West teams saw the playoffs regularly. Now, it is typically the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs as the division winner with the occasional appearance of another team as a wild card.
Who are the top players in AFC West history?
The list is quite long. Players like Ken Stabler, Howie Long, and Rich Gannon dominated for the Raiders. Dan Fouts, Phillip Rivers, and LaDainian Tomlinson set records for the Chargers. John Elway, Peyton Manning, and Von Miller won titles for the Broncos. Marcus Allen, Joe Montana, and Patrick Mahomes have left indelible marks on the Chiefs.
What is the longest winning streak in AFC West history?
In terms of division championships, the Chiefs have the longest winning streak since the AFC West came to be. They are currently in the midst of an eight-year run as division champions.
