Can the Raiders Seize the AFC West with the Chiefs 0-2?

For the Las Vegas Raiders, the 2025 season opened with the promise of making another playoff return. Raider Nation got a glimpse of a stable quarterback since Derek Carr left for New Orleans, and ultimately retired before the start of the 2025 season. After another coaching carousel the past few years, post the second iteration of Jon Gruden, the Raiders brass hired Super Bowl winning coach, Pete Carrol.

Even with an impressive Week 1 win against the Patriots, Raider Nation and the best NFL betting sites continued to ask whether the Raiders were serious contenders for the AFC West. After the Chiefs losing the season opener in Brazil to AFC West rival the Chargers, optimism went up.

Expectations Temper After Week 2

In week 2, all eyes were on the highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the Chiefs and the Eagles. With a convincing win and the Eagles falling to 0-2, optimism in Raider Nation went through the roof. However, with the Chargers winning handily, 20-9, the Raiders’ flaws began to come to the surface, mainly spotty pass protection. The Brock Bower Bower injury put a damper into the Raiders’ vertical passing game.

After week 2, the Raiders’ odds at the best sportsbooks dropped further to +1500 to win the AFC West for the first time since the 2015-2016 season, when they were still in their second iteration as the Oakland Raiders.

The Week 3 Route Dashes Hopes

Heading into week 3, the Raiders had favorable underdog odds of improving to 2-1 against the Washington Commanders. Part of the reason for the optimism was that second-year phenom, Jayden Daniels, didn’t suit up. However, from the first snap, the Raiders’ problems went from bad to worse.

Unable to protect Geno Smith from the relentless pass rush, the Raiders couldn’t stop the run all day, and they also gave up huge special team plays, as well as a punt return for a touchdown. Already working with a depleted receiving core, the Raiders lost their other star tight end, Michael Mayer, to a concussion. With Mayer entering concussion protocol, it’s reasonable to assume they will be without his pass-catching services for at least the next week maybe more.

The Chiefs Are Poised to Get on Track and a Brutal Schedule

The Chiefs are set to go against the also winless New York Giants. Understanding that only four teams have made the playoffs after a 0-3 start, you can imagine that Mahomes and company will claw and scratch for their first victory of the season. Another concern for the Raiders has been their lackluster record against AFC West opponents. For the 2024 season, the Raiders went 0-6.

They fared better in 2023 going 4-2. However, they are already 0-1 for 2025. With the Bears coming up, it won’t get easier for Vegas, seeing that the Bears have gotten their first win of the season. They play the Chiefs soon after, as well as the Titans. So, will the Raiders win the AFC West for 2025? The odds don’t say so. However, a wild card birth is still an option if they can sure up their run defense and pass protection.