{"id":186743,"date":"2025-07-06T21:01:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T21:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/186743\/"},"modified":"2025-07-06T21:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-06T21:01:10","slug":"theyre-a-wild-card-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/186743\/","title":{"rendered":"They’re A Wild Card Team"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Kansas City Chiefs have been the kings of the AFC West for the better part of a decade, but Colin Cowherd believes the Chargers can give them a run for their money in 2025. During a recent segment<\/a>, Cowherd and John Middlekauff gave their bold predictions for the season, and Cowherd made his case for why Jim Harbaugh\u2019s team can overtake Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and the Kansas City Chiefs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey [the Chargers] built the culture last year, but free agency and the draft \u2013 and you know, Harbaugh\u2019s good at the draft, I think they\u2019re going to be one of the better teams in the league,\u201d Cowherd said. \u201c\u2026the Chiefs come into the season, which would concern me, with offensive line issues, so I like the Chargers to win the division.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ChiefsSep 29, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid shakes hands with Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh after the game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

“I think Kansas City is a wild card team.”@colincowherd<\/a> and @JohnMiddlekauff<\/a> give their bold predictions for the AFC. pic.twitter.com\/QeTpGowafm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Herd w\/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Colin Cowherd: Chargers Will Usurp Chiefs, Win AFC West<\/p>\n

The Chargers made the playoffs last year in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, so it\u2019s easy to see why Cowherd is bullish about their upcoming season. Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh are the two most important parts of this team, but the rest of the roster is just as strong.<\/p>\n

Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater are arguably the NFL\u2019s best tackle duo, and the addition of Mekhi Becton<\/a> should give Los Angeles a top-five offensive line. First-round pick Omarion Hampton<\/a> is a perfect running back for Harbaugh\u2019s hard-nosed style of football, and the defense is largely comprised of the same group as last year. While the receivers and tight ends still leave something to be desired, this team has the talent to be in the thick of the Super Bowl race. However, do the Chargers have enough talent to keep the Chiefs from winning the division for the first time since 2015.<\/p>\n

The State of the Chiefs<\/p>\n

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off an impressive 15-2 record and Super Bowl appearance, but they didn\u2019t play quite as well as their record suggests. The team went 11-0 in one-score games in the regular season, which is an incredible outlier. Everyone goes around .500 in a large enough sample, so Kansas City played like a 10- or 11-win team that had a lot of balls bounce their way.<\/p>\n

Kansas City\u2019s offense should improve with a healthy Rashee Rice<\/a>, but the offensive line worries are legitimate. First-round pick Josh Simmons offers some hope at the left tackle position, but left guard is a glaring weakness following the Joe Thuney trade. If 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia<\/a> cannot improve in his new position, they\u2019ll need to find someone who can.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the Chargers and Chiefs are similarly loaded teams with great quarterbacks, proven head coaches, and one or two weaknesses on offense. While Kansas City could still win the division, Los Angeles should put up a fight as both teams chase a Super Bowl.<\/p>\n

Main Photo: Kirby Lee \u2013 Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t