Kansas City remains the gold standard, riding Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid to nine consecutive division crowns and seven straight AFC title games. The bar stays high even as a new coaching wave ripples through the AFC West, because the dynasty hinges on Mahomes’s magic and Reid’s playbook.

Kansas City projects to lead the NFL in 2025 wins, a head start that dwarfs the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders, even with a demanding slate. Denver adds a potential leap with Bo Nix in a narrow window on a rookie deal, while the Chargers and Raiders face stiffer uphill climbs. Denver sits around plus 280, Chargers around 330, and Las Vegas far back at 1200, reflecting the Chiefs’ dominance and the West’s depth.

The Broncos are betting on growth, the Chargers on Harbaugh staying elite, and the Raiders on structure and counterpunch potential with new faces such as Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers. Yet the path to taking the crown remains steep when balanced against Mahomes and a proven system. The division remains Kansas Citys to lose, with odds and narratives underscoring the same truth: the Chiefs set a bar that feels almost unreachable for the next few seasons.

Atlanta’s week included workouts for Khalid Duke and Ron Stone Jr. as the Falcons evaluated edge options while preparing for a season in which depth on the offensive line could be critical. The club ultimately added Ronnie Perkins to the 90-man roster, signaling interest in bolstering pass-rush upside behind their starter cohort. Injuries to Kaleb McGary and Storm Norton have left Atlanta thin at tackle, amplifying the potential for immediate role players to step up as the squad trims to 53 next week. The preseason finale against Dallas looms as a testing ground for depth and rotation, and the team’s next moves could directly influence early-season fantasy value on Atlanta’s front seven and blocker corps.

From a fantasy lens, Perkins’ signing is notable for his edge-prowess ceiling in a scenario where the Falcons need reliable rush production. Duke and Stone’s visits hint at future opportunities if injuries linger or performance gaps appear, while McGary's expected absence and Norton’s six-to-eight week timeline push the evaluation window into early September. Monitor snap shares, especially for rotational edge players and any shifts at right tackle, as the Falcons weigh health, roster decisions, and matchup-based usage late in the preseason.

Five quarterbacks are flagged as mispriced in 2025 fantasy drafts, offering clear edges if snagged at the right spots. Justin Fields carries immense rushing upside, especially if the Jets weaponize his legs, but his injury history demands a high-floor backup for hedging. C.J. Stroud’s value hinges on adding a rushing element and leveraging Houston’s receiving group, widening his ceiling from the middle tier. Trevor Lawrence sits at a bargain ADP around QB20; stabilized offense and strong pass-catchers could lift him into top-15 with steady play. Geno Smith remains a late-round floor with upside, thanks to pass-heavy scripts and top-tier weapons. Keeping tabs on real-time ADP shifts via RotoWire and anchoring each pick to preseason depth charts is the edge that turns mispriced opportunities into wins.

Dallas faces a Sept. 4 opener vs Philadelphia with Micah Parsons still in contract limbo, yet coach Brian Schottenheimer remains confident he’ll suit up. Parsons has spent camp on a chair but is participating in meetings and walkthroughs, and Dallas is betting his conditioning and game-day readiness will keep the defense elite while the business side sorts itself out.

The Cowboys’ defense appears anchored by Parsons’ on-field impact, combining elite pass rush with top EPA/Play metrics when he’s on the field, while posting stark drops when he’s off. Dallas has publicly leaned into a team-first mindset, even as Aikman argued Parsons’ absence could hinder the club’s chances—a view Schottenheimer disputes as overly simplistic.