The AFC West picture is looking interesting after Week 5 of the NFL season has concluded. What do the standings look like, and what are the biggest storylines surrounding the division, with other crucial games coming up?

State of the AFC West after Week 5

The AFC West has had some unexpected twists and turns through five weeks of the NFL season. With the Kansas City Chiefs still remaining on top, the Denver Broncos have found themselves sitting in second place, with the Los Angeles Chargers trailing in third, followed by the Las Vegas Raiders falling to last place.

What’s the latest with each team, and what does the outlook look like for each team in the next three weeks?

Standings:

1: Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)

2: Denver Broncos (3-2)

3: Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

4: Las Vegas Raiders (2-3)

Denver Broncos

The Broncos have rattled off three consecutive wins after an early 0-2 start impacted the overall perception of them to start the season. Their impressive road wins against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, and home win against the Las Vegas Raiders have generated some buzz considering the defenses rookie quarterback Bo Nix has faced.

Denver’s defense has been playing at an elite level, coming off of a three-interception performance against the Raiders, including two from Patrick Surtain II, who had a 100-yard pick six — and Riley Moss coming up with his first career interception. Nix gathered momentum with a three-touchdown performance against the Raiders on Sunday.

Now they gear up for another AFC West showdown at home against the Chargers.

Next opponent: Los Angeles Chargers 

Next three games: Chargers, @ New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are coming off a 26-13 win on Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints, in a game that saw Patrick Mahomes throw for more than 300 yards for the first time this season, no touchdown passes, and an interception en route to a total 460-yard offensive output against a banged up Saints defense. Kareem Hunt saw the lion’s share of the carries on Monday, rushing for 102 yards on 27 carries.

Kansas City dominated the time of possession 39:56 to the Saints 20:04 and now head for their bye week.

Next opponent: Bye Week

Next three games: Bye Week, @ San Francisco 49ers, @ Las Vegas Raiders.

Los Angeles Chargers

Coming out of their bye week, the Chargers (2-2) are hopeful that Justin Herbert getting an additional week off to rest his foot and ankle will help them for the long stretch of their season. An early bye week is never ideal because it makes the road to the end of the season much more difficult with no time to regroup.

They’ll take on the Broncos this Sunday on the road and will be looking for redemption after Denver swept them last season. Herbert’s record against Denver is 3-4, and he has yet to win a game against them on the road.

Next opponent: Broncos

Next three games: @ Broncos, @ Arizona Cardinals, vs. New Orleans Saints.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have experienced one of the weirdest starts to their season, considering they were pounding the table for Antonio Pierce all offseason long to be their next head coach. Just three weeks into the regular season, issues began to brew with Pierce calling out several players for their lack of effort when they lost to the Carolina Panthers. Ironically enough, they beat the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson on the road in Week 2.

Davante Adams has requested a trade, Gardner Minshew was benched against the Broncos, and Aidan O’Connell didn’t look like an option for them at the position either. Now they have to face the Pittsburgh Steelers and their vaunted defense this week.

Next opponent: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Next three games: Steelers, @ Los Angeles Rams, Chiefs.