The Denver Broncos need to beat the Bengals tonight.
Not just because Denver can’t afford to fall to 1-3 with the perfect, 4-0 Eagles on the schedule next week, but to stay alive in the AFC West.
Things tightened up in the division this weekend, let’s quickly recap what happened.
Chiefs won, Chargers lost: A quick trip around the AFC West
For the first time in nearly a decade, the AFC West is truly up for grabs. If Denver wants their first divisional title in 10 years, this is their best shot.
That’s because the Chiefs started out slowly, going 1-2 with a terrible offensive attack. Meanwhile, the Chargers got out to a perfect 3-0 start, including a comeback win against the Broncos last week. And the Raiders, well, they’re the same old sorry Raiders.
All while the Broncos snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against both the Colts and Chargers.
So now, after four weeks, where does the AFC West stand?
- Los Angeles Chargers, 3-1
- Kansas City Chiefs, 2-2
- Denver Broncos, 1-2*
- Las Vegas Raiders, 1-3
*Denver plays the 2-1 Bengals tonight on Monday Night Football.
Giants beat Chargers 21-18
In what is probably the biggest upset of the NFL season to this point, the Giants just beat previously unbeaten Chargers 21-18. And with rookie Jaxon Dart at quarterback to boot.
The loss begs the question: Are the Chargers a fraud?
Following their win over the Chiefs to kickoff the NFL season in Brazil, many wanted to crown LA as the team to beat not just in the AFC West, but in the entire AFC. But it can’t be missed that the Chargers got the Chiefs when they were down bad, and then KC lost Xavier Worthy on their first drive of the game when Travis Kelce ran him over.
Then, the Chargers beat the Raiders and narrowly defeated the Broncos, neither of whom look like even playoff teams to this point in the season.
And yes, Justin Herbert made some great throws to beat the Broncos last week, but he regressed to his average self again this week.
Herbert went 23-41 for 203 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions against the Giants. Those two picks led to 10 points by the Giants–which could’ve been 14 but LA’s staunch defense stopped New York–and they cost the Chargers the game. LA’s defense is one of the best in the NFL, allowing the 3rd-fewest points per game at 17.8. They’re also 2nd-best in the red zone.
But their offense continues to be merely mediocre, especially in the run game. Ironically, they had easily their best day running the ball against the Giants, and Herbert blew it.
Chiefs beat banged up Ravens 37-20
This game was billed as the biggest of Week 4. And yet, it was rather anticlimactic.
We hadn’t seen “the same old Chiefs” all season. Well, we did on Sunday.
Patrick Mahomes wasn’t “Midhomes” like we’ve seen all year, and it seemed like the return of Xavier Worthy certainly helped the offense finally shine. So did six starting defensive injuries for the Ravens, but hey, it’s always “next man up” in the NFL.
Worthy did a little bit of everything in the game; he ran twice for 38 yards and caught five passes for 83 more, including an electric play down the sideline. It was the best offensive day for the Chiefs yet in 2025 in terms of points (37), total yards (382), sacks (1), penalties (5), and TOP (35:45).
After the Ravens took the 7-0 lead with ease, Kansas City scored 20 unanswered points by picking off Lamar Jackson and forcing him to fumble. The Chiefs defense definitely brought it for their big time game against Baltimore, and if KC plays like that, they can beat anybody.
Maybe the Chiefs’ mojo hasn’t run completely out.
Bears outlast 3-TD day from Ashton Jeanty, beat Raiders 25-24
The Raiders ruined Ashton Jeanty.
That’s been the talk of the NFL world to start the season.
Well, the Raiders finally found out how to unleash the beast that is Jeanty. The rookie running back ran for a career-high 138 yards and one score while catching two more touchdowns. And yet, Las Vegas still lost to the Bears.
Of course, it’s tough to win when you turn the ball over four times in a game. Jeanty wasn’t perfect, he fumbled once, and Geno Smith threw three picks on the day.
Speaking of Smith, he’s been awful for the Raiders, even if his former and current coach Pete Carroll is there with him. He’s currently 24th in QB efficiency and was 18th with the Seahawks last year.
The Raiders are near the bottom of the league defensively, giving up 24.8 PPG, though they are solid in the red zone. Even with a solid performance offensively Sunday, these Raiders are likely to be one of the worst teams in the NFL.
Why the Broncos need to beat the Bengals tonight
On Friday, I wrote why tonight’s game is a must-win for the Broncos.
The reasons are simple.
First, the Bengals are without Joe Burrow. They’re very beatable offensively, and their defense is even worse than the aforementioned Raiders. Cincy gives up 30.3 PPG, allows 3rd down conversions on 46.3% of attempts, and is very easy to pass against.
It’s exactly the kind of defense Bo Nix needs to play against–and dominate–to get his own confidence back, just like Mahomes did yesterday.
Next, the Broncos need to beat the Bengals to even their record up at 2-2. They can’t go into Week 5, and a matchup against the undefeated Eagles at home, at 1-3. Because they’d almost certainly end up 1-4.
Instead, win tonight and they can carry some momentum into next week. Even if they do lose, they can then hopefully take advantage of a seriously easy stretch of games.
Finally, it’s a must-win tonight because of the Chiefs win. Denver needs to keep pace with the Chiefs if the Broncos hope to win the West this year. They can’t fall to 1-3 like the Rai-duhs, who are basically out of the division race already.
Denver (1-2) faces Cincinnati (2-1) tonight on Monday Night Football in the Mile High City at 6:15 p.m. MT.