Not all stretches throughout an NFL season are created equal. A positive month can launch a playoff push. A brutal one can bury a staff earlier than Thanksgiving leftovers hit the fridge.
Beneath, we look at essentially the most troublesome four-game stretches for every AFC West staff — the gauntlets that might outline division races, form playoff hopes and, in some circumstances, decide whether or not coaches and QBs enter the offseason beneath stress.
Weeks 1-4: at Kansas City Chiefs (Sept. 14), vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (Sept. 20), vs. Los Angeles Rams (Sept. 27), at San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 4)
The Broncos began 2-2 of their first 4 video games in 2024 and 2025. They could be poised for a 3rd consecutive 2-2 begin in 2026.
Denver faces three groups that made the playoffs in 2025 throughout this stretch, together with the Rams. L.A. appears much more formidable after touchdown defensive finish Myles Garrett, a two-time Defensive Participant of the Yr, in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns on Monday. Good factor for the Broncos that they are dealing with the Rams at dwelling.
The Chiefs missed the playoffs final season however retooled their offense this offseason, signing working again Kenneth Walker III (Tremendous Bowl LX MVP) in free company. The RB, who ranked sixteenth within the league in dashing yards (1,027 in 17 regular-season video games with the Seattle Seahawks) in 2025, ought to make life simpler for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who’s recovering from an ACL/LCL tear in his left knee. Three-time Tremendous Bowl champion Mahomes is aiming to return for Week 1.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Weeks 12-15: at Buffalo Bills (Nov. 26), at Los Angeles Rams (Dec. 3), at Cincinnati Bengals (Dec. 13), vs. New England Patriots (Dec. 21)
The Chiefs spent two first-round picks on defensive reinforcements within the 2026 NFL Draft, LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (choose No. 6) and Clemson Tigers defensive sort out Peter Woods (choose No. 29). Weeks 12-15 will take a look at their mettle.
This slate options matchups in opposition to the league’s final two MVPs, Payments QB Josh Allen (2024) and Rams QB Matthew Stafford (2025). Patriots QB Drake Maye, in the meantime, completed second in 2025 MVP voting.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow — who missed 9 video games final season due to turf toe in his left foot — may present one other difficult matchup for Kansas Metropolis if he is wholesome. The 2020 No. 1 general choose recurrently excels in opposition to Mahomes and firm. Burrow is 3-2 in opposition to the Chiefs (together with playoffs) and has tossed 11 landing passes and three interceptions in these matchups (via StatMuse).
Weeks 4-7: vs. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (Oct. 4), at New England Patriots (Oct. 11), vs. Buffalo Payments (Oct. 18), vs. Los Angeles Rams (Oct. 25)
Raiders followers could also be calling for rookie QB Fernando Mendoza (choose No. 1 of the 2026 draft) if presumed starter Kirk Cousins flounders throughout this stretch; determine on him doing so.
Three of those groups made the playoffs final season and have stingy defenses. New England ranked third within the league in factors allowed (17.9 factors per recreation), whereas L.A. completed tenth (21.9 PPG) and Buffalo was twelfth (22.2 PPG).
It bears repeating that the Chiefs are coming off a down yr, however they’ve dominated the Raiders since Mahomes turned their beginning QB in 2018. Ok.C. has gone 13-3 in opposition to Vegas throughout this time-frame.
Weeks 3-6: at Buffalo Payments (Sept. 27), at Seattle Seahawks (Oct. 4), vs. Denver Broncos (Oct. 11), at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (Oct. 18)
Accidents to offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) riddled the Chargers offensive line final season. L.A. higher hope the unit stays wholesome in 2026. In any other case, QB Justin Herbert will spend much more time on the bottom after taking a career-high 54 sacks in 16 video games in 2025.
The defenses of the Broncos and Seahawks specialise in pass-rushing. Denver logged a league-leading 68 sacks final season. Seattle, in the meantime, tied for seventh (47).
The Chiefs (35 sacks in 2025) and Payments (36 sacks in 2025) did not produce as many sacks however nonetheless generated stress. Pro Football Reference credited Ok.C. with 61 QB knockdowns in 2025, tied for No. 7 within the NFL. Buffalo, in the meantime, tied for 14th in QB knockdowns (51).
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