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File: 8-0 (first in AFC West)
Top fantasy artist: QB Patrick Mahomes, 134.18 points
MVP: Mahomes
Most important match second half: November 17 at Accounts
Kansas City’s offense has been disappointing and Patrick Mahomes is having his statistically worst season as a professional, yet the Chiefs remain the best team in football. It’s hard to pinpoint a midseason MVP other than Mahomes for a team that is thriving despite key injuries to its offense and failing to look dominant in any of its eight early-season wins. This is all a testament to head coach Andy Reid, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and a championship roster that knows how to win. The Chiefs remain the presumptive Super Bowl favorites, and their arrow is only pointing upward with the expected return of RB Isiah Pacheco and the continued integration of new addition DeAndre Hopkins, who is already paying off in the passing game.
File: 5-3 (second in AFC West)
Top fantasy artist: RB JK Dobbins, 119.20 points
MVP: QB Justin Herbert
Most important match second half: November 25 vs. Ravens
This is Jim Harbaugh’s team. A Chargers franchise that has floundered thus far in the Justin Herbert era has adopted a new identity under its first-year head coach, and the results are visible on the field. A team that spearheaded the analytics revolution under Brandon Staley is thriving under Harbaugh’s established paradigm of efficient run-first offense, disciplined defense and control of the game. This isn’t necessarily the look the franchise had in mind when Herbert and his weapon were selected as the franchise quarterback. But midway through the season, the results speak for themselves as the Chargers are an unexpected playoff contender.
File: 5-4 (third in AFC West)
Top fantasy artist: QB Bo Nix, 156.32 points
MVP: CB Patrick Surtain II
Most important match second half: Nov. 10 at Chiefs
The Broncos have exceeded expectations. Aside from the significant lingering implications of salary caps, the Russell Wilson debacle is a thing of the past. Head coach Sean Payton cooks with his own ingredients, and a 5-4 start is a testament to the value he brings to the franchise. Bo Nix has proven serviceable while backed by an excellent defense, and the jury remains out on the starting quarterback. The Broncos have built their winning record largely by beating bad teams. A three-game midseason stretch that began with Sunday’s 31-point loss to the Ravens and continues with games against the Chiefs and Falcons will provide a better sense of where Nix and the Broncos stand.
File: 2-7 (fourth in AFC West)
Top fantasy artist: TE Brock Bowers, 99.70 points
MVP: THE Maxx Crosby
Most important match second half: December 22 vs. Jaguars (for draft purposes)
The Raiders remains a comedy of errors. As of 2021, they are on their fourth head coach and fourth general manager. They’ve played three different quarterbacks this season. So far, the result of the leadership carousel in 2024 is a 2-7 start and a year lost before the calendar turned to November. This is an undisciplined team that ranks 29th in offense and last in the NFL in turnover differential. Head coach Antonio Pierce publicly notified his players just three weeks into the season, a move that did nothing to take the pressure off his own job security. Since then, they’ve gone 1-5 and are very much in the running for the No. 1 overall draft pick.
