<p>The 25/26 NFL season is here. We’re past the pre-season, past the Tay Tay appearance that broke the internet on ‘New Heights’ and hopefully past most of the contract holdouts and trade demands.</p> <p>We’re looking at every team, every strength, every possible weakness and a way to make money on all 32 NFL squads. This time we take a look at the AFC West - can Mahomes and the Chiefs hold onto their crown?</p> <p>For the latest analysis, predictions and betting tips for the AFC West, check out my 2025 NFL AFC West preview and predictions below. You can also follow me <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/feed/profile/view/56/ist_ambassador_deeplink_action">on the feed</a> for plenty of other NFL tips and predictions throughout the season.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Denver Broncos Season Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Sean Payton.</p> <p><strong>Last season</strong>: 10-7.</p> <p>Bo Nix is the great hope in Mile High, alongside coaching guru Sean Payton but the defence rules the roost around here.</p> <p>Vance Joseph’s gang were #1 for sacks, #3 for points allowed and #7 in total D. Combine that with swift and smart QB play, this team was a force by season’s end.</p> <p>10-7, playoff appearance and a bright future. But you’ve got to act on that promise and now is that time.</p> <p>Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga arrive from San Fran whilst Evan Engram can make plays at tight end. JK Dobbins is also an interesting signing at tail back.</p> <p>The division is loaded, and Kansas City are going nowhere but Denver feels like a club that might really pop in 25/26.</p> <p><strong>Projected Record</strong>: 10-7.</p> <p><strong>Best Bet</strong>:<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/american-football/nfl-futures/denver-broncos-regular-season-specials-2025-26-9208135"> Patrick Surtain II to record 5+ interceptions in regular season.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Kansas City Chiefs Season Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Andy Reid.</p> <p><strong>Last season</strong>: 15-2.</p> <p>In many ways, KC overachieved last season.</p> <p>They were unbeaten in single-score games, indicating at least as much luck as skill. They only dropped one game on its merits as well as the final game of the regular season when they sat all starters.</p> <p>They got by Allen’s Bills, Jackson’s Ravens, CJ’s Texans and the rest of the deep and dangerous AFC but came up well short in the Super Bowl in the pursuit of the vaunted three-peat.</p> <p>They circle back in 2025/26, with Mahomes and Reid at the helm.</p> <p>They’re older and more expensive but so many of the key cogs are still in place. Chris Jones on D, Spags is the guru defensive coach, Kelce remains, and the Mahomes/Reid quarterback/coach combo is still the league’s best.</p> <p>The division is stronger but there’s little reason why you’ll see major drop off in The Kingdom.</p> <p><strong>Projected Record</strong>: 12-5.</p> <p><strong>Best Bet</strong>:<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/american-football/nfl-futures/kansas-city-chiefs-regular-season-specials-2025-26-9208133"> Travis Kelce +4.5 receiving touchdowns in regular season.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Las Vegas Raiders Season Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Pete Carroll.</p> <p><strong>Last season</strong>: 4-13.</p> <p>Everything is new in Vegas.</p> <p>Super Bowl champion Pete Carroll arrives in Vegas at the sparkly young age of 74. Carroll is almost a decade older than the next oldest coach, Andy Reid, but few question his energy and zest for the job.</p> <p>Geno Smith will be the Raiders’ new QB after a successful stint in Seattle. Geno and Carroll have history, and we know Carroll’s teams play with fire and passion.</p> <p>Maxx Crosby leads the defence and whilst he’s one of the premier players in the NFL, there is more needed across the rest of the D. Ashton Jeanty is a Round 1 pick who will need to explode out of the back field as the receiving core is largely no names. Amari Cooper returns to Vegas but not much would be expected there.</p> <p>There’s a very good chance they’re a win or two better than last season, but the roster needs more depth, talent and certainly star power in a deep division.</p> <p><strong>Projected Record</strong>: 8-9.</p> <p><strong>Best Bet</strong>:<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/american-football/nfl-futures/las-vegas-raiders-regular-season-specials-2025-26-9459496"> Geno Smith most interceptions in regular season.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Los Angeles Chargers</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head Coach</strong>: Jim Harbaugh.</p> <p><strong>Last season</strong>: 11-6.</p> <p>Last season was a resounding success with 11 wins in Charger Land, but you get the sense Jim is just getting rolling.</p> <p>He loves his quarterback, Justin Herbert, and has surrounded him with tough, fierce and physical players across the board. Herbert is yet to prove his worth in the playoffs, but Harbaugh is exactly the coach you want by his side.</p> <p>Ladd McConkey drives the receiving room, and questions remain about the backs, but Harbaugh will likely find one who can outperform his contract and get the hard yards required.</p> <p>They drafted Omarion Hampton in Round 1 at RB. His rookie campaign will be interesting to follow.</p> <p>All in all, like most teams, the success of this squad will land on Herbert’s performance in crunch moments. He’s 0-2 in the playoffs but one was after surrendering a 27-0 lead over Jacksonville and the other was a 4-interception debacle against the Texans.</p> <p>‘Herbie’ needs to be big in big moments, because Jim will have the rest of the roster locked in.</p> <p><strong>Projected Record</strong>: 10-7.</p> <p><strong>Best Bet</strong>:<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/american-football/nfl-futures/los-angeles-chargers-regular-season-specials-2025-26-9459490"> Ladd McConkey +1,005.5 receiving yards in regular season.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NFL AFC West Winner 2025-26 Odds</h2>