Insiders Network: How Will the AFC West Play Out?

Dec 2, 2018; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) meets with Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) after the game at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The 33^rd Team’s Insiders Network is a group of former NFL coaches and front-office executives who are here to provide insight and perspective into all things football. Each week during the season, we reach out to members of our Insiders Network to get their thoughts on a topical question. Here is this week’s question:

The AFC West is currently the most competitive division in football with the Chiefs at 7-4 and all 3 other teams at 6-5. What order do you expect the 4 AFC West teams to finish in?

Tom Lewand:

Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders
Denver Broncos

Joe Banner:

It ends exactly where it is today.

Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders
Denver Broncos

Nick Polk:

Los Angeles Chargers
Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders

Wade Phillips:

Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders
Denver Broncos

Mike Tannenbaum:

Kansas City Chiefs
LA Chargers
Las Vegas Raiders
Denver Broncos

Among the five Insiders polled, four had the exact same answer, predicting that the Chiefs would finish first and the Broncos last, with the Chargers and Raiders sitting in between. Nick Polk, former Director of Football Operations for the Atlanta Falcons, gave the only different answers, predicting that the Chargers come out on top.