We all sorta expected it at some point. The Donkeys and Bolts have substantially improved so it looks like the cakewalks of years prior won't be so easy. They would give us the division by like game 8. Not this year even though we are highly likely to close it out again. End of year division games may mean much more this year.
I think it's better for the Chiefs as they have to focus for every game and the proof will be in the results. No easy games.
Then you have the Raiders, who are the Browns or Jets of the West. They have one or two big victories a year like beating the Ravens this year and us last year.
As we finish up 2024 with a Super Bowl march and look at 2025 and beyond, our drafts, the ability to execute in free agency and having a season with fewer injuries will be much more important.
Beating them will be tougher BUT much more rewarding.
Here's to a better overall, more respected AFC West.........:-) [Reply]
Originally Posted by notorious:
Our division has played the shit teams this season (except for KC).
That was my first thought, but it's never stopped the rest of the division from being trash before, either... 'serious' might be a stretch, but it's a least gone from a complete dumpster fire to mediocre. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mile High Mania:
On paper before the season, it looks fairly significant… no so much though as it plays out. Yeah, the Bills are the biggest difference, but that’s expected. It’s not as if Denver and Chargers have been feasting on winless teams and KC has run through this gauntlet of mega teams.
That's exactly what's happened.
SoS is of course similar, but the Chiefs' SoV is .474, 2nd best in the AFC, while the Chargers' is .315 and Broncos .349.
The Broncos have beat one team all season with a winning record (6-5), and the Chargers none. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RedinTexas:
So, if it doesn't make a difference, then why do it? How about next year we give the Broncos the "most difficult" schedule and the Chiefs the "easiest" schedule? You say it's only "on paper," but if you take a look at the current standings, you'll notice that those 2 AFC games that the Chiefs have scheduled differently than the Broncos were both against teams either in first place in their division or nearly so, but both well above .500. OTOH, the Broncos had those 2 games against a last place team, and another that while in 2nd place in their division is still under .500.
The NFL is an extremely difficult league in which to win. Having 12% of your games against competition that is clearly much better than average, versus 12% of your schedule against competition that is either clearly much worse than average or around average is a decided advantage.
The competition for the #1 seed and the final playoff spots will be fierce. A single game decided by the bounce of a football can put teams either in or out of the playoffs. Playing a more difficult schedule makes a big difference.
I’m not suggesting that it doesn’t make a difference… it’s just not as vast as some think. Through week 11, with Denver having played one more game… the total opposition wins for KC is 54 and Denver is 58.
The difference in teams played between the two so far.. CIN, 49ers, Bills for KC and SEA, PIT, Jets, Panthers for Denver. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mile High Mania:
I’m not suggesting that it doesn’t make a difference… it’s just not as vast as some think. Through week 11, with Denver having played one more game… the total opposition wins for KC is 54 and Denver is 58.
The difference in teams played between the two so far.. CIN, 49ers, Bills for KC and SEA, PIT, Jets, Panthers for Denver.
The Bills and Bengals are huge rivals and play the Chiefs almost as often as divisional teams (Mahomes has played the Bills more since 2020 than the Chargers)... 49ers were pretty meh this time around, but still better than the Steelers. The Jets and Panthers are practically bye weeks in comparison. :-) [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bearcat:
Uh no, that's a big ****ing difference. :-)
The Bills and Bengals are huge rivals and play the Chiefs almost as often as divisional teams (Mahomes has played the Bills more since 2020 than the Chargers)... 49ers were pretty meh this time around, but still better than the Steelers. The Jets and Panthers are practically bye weeks in comparison. :-)
Rivalries are about emotion and do not reflect record. The Bengals have a bad record, same as SF… KC faced them without CMAC. Bills are legit. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mile High Mania:
Rivalries are about emotion and do not reflect record. The Bengals have a bad record, same as SF… KC faced them without CMAC. Bills are legit.
Glad we're on the same page... the Chiefs' schedule and wins have been far better for all these reasons and their SoV versus the other two teams clearly proves it. [Reply]
The coaching is definitely an improvement for both organizations.
Harbaugh will lose the team and be out in 4 years. Payton could last a bit longer, but neither will have the long term stability the Chiefs have been fortunate with under Reid. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bearcat:
Glad we're on the same page... the Chiefs' schedule and wins have been far better for all these reasons and their SoV versus the other two teams clearly proves it.
It’s still not as great a difference as some think. KC has a couple of better wins, for sure and that should be expected. KC lost to their toughest opponent and Denver lost to their 3 toughest. Each team has played 6 teams over .500 [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mile High Mania:
Rivalries are about emotion and do not reflect record. The Bengals have a bad record, same as SF… KC faced them without CMAC. Bills are legit.
And who were the Chiefs without when they faced SF? You always do this kind of stuff. [Reply]
