AFC West: Best-case scenario and worst-case scenario for each team

Kansas City Chiefs: The favorite to win the AFC West yet again

Best Case: Chiefs Become First Team To Win Back-To-Back Super Bowls Since The Mid-2000s Patriots

The Chiefs appeared in back-to-back Super Bowls in 2019 and 2020 but failed to secure the second title as they lost to Tom Brady. Ironically enough, Brady’s old squad was the last one to accomplish the feat of repeating as champions.

Back in the mid-2000s, the Patriots defeated the Panthers and Eagles in consecutive seasons, becoming the first team to go back-to-back since John Elway’s Broncos. Now, the Chiefs look to etch their names in the history book by finishing off this repeat campaign.

Every team’s best-case scenario should be winning a Super Bowl, but only the Chiefs can accomplish this particular best-case scenario. I would not rule it out with Andy Reid’s Hall of Fame coaching prowess.

Worst Case: The Rest Of The AFC Improves Enough To Send The Chiefs Packing Early In The Playoffs

Missing the playoffs outright is not a valid concern for the Chiefs entering 2023. However, the rest of the AFC continues trying to catch up to the kings. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and that is exactly what the Bills, Bengals, Dolphins, and every other AFC contender will aim to do.

It can be argued that every AFC team improved this offseason — even if only minimally. With as tightly contested as the playoff battles have been between the Bills and Bengals, perhaps the scales have been evened up this offseason. Getting bounced in round one serves as the worst-case scenario in Kansas City.