Not all stretches during an NFL season are created equal. A favorable month can launch a playoff push. A brutal one can bury a team before Thanksgiving leftovers hit the fridge.
Below, we examine the most difficult four-game stretches for each AFC West team — the gauntlets that could define division races, shape playoff hopes and, in some cases, determine whether coaches and QBs enter the offseason under pressure.
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 started 2-2 in their first four games in 2024 and 2025. They may be poised for a third consecutive 2-2 start in 2026.
Denver faces three teams that made the playoffs in 2025 during this stretch, including the Rams. L.A. looks even more formidable after landing defensive end Myles Garrett, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns on Monday. Good thing for the Broncos that they’re facing the Rams at home.
The Chiefs missed the playoffs last season but retooled their offense this offseason, signing running back Kenneth Walker III (Super Bowl LX MVP) in free agency. The RB, who ranked 16th in the league in rushing yards (1,027 in 17 regular-season games with the Seattle Seahawks) in 2025, should make life easier for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who’s recovering from an ACL/LCL tear in his left knee. Three-time Super Bowl champion Mahomes is aiming to return for Week 1.
Kansas City 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 in the 2026 NFL Draft, LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (pick No. 6) and Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Peter Woods (pick No. 29). Weeks 12-15 will test their mettle.
This slate features matchups against the league’s last two MVPs, Bills QB Josh Allen (2024) and Rams QB Matthew Stafford (2025). Patriots QB Drake Maye, meanwhile, finished second in 2025 MVP voting.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow — who missed nine games last season because of turf toe in his left foot — could provide another challenging matchup for Kansas City if he’s healthy. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick regularly excels against Mahomes and company. Burrow is 3-2 against the Chiefs (including playoffs) and has tossed 11 touchdown passes and three interceptions in those matchups (via StatMuse).
Weeks 4-7: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Oct. 4), at New England Patriots (Oct. 11), vs. Buffalo Bills (Oct. 18), vs. Los Angeles Rams (Oct. 25)
Raiders fans may be calling for rookie QB Fernando Mendoza (pick No. 1 of the 2026 draft) if presumed starter Kirk Cousins flounders during this stretch; figure on him doing so.
Three of these teams made the playoffs last season and feature stingy defenses. New England ranked third in the league in points allowed (17.9 points per game), while L.A. finished 10th (21.9 PPG) and Buffalo was 12th (22.2 PPG).
It bears repeating that the Chiefs are coming off a down year, but they’ve dominated the Raiders since Mahomes became their starting QB in 2018. K.C. has gone 13-3 against Vegas during this time frame.
Weeks 3-6: at Buffalo Bills (Sept. 27), at Seattle Seahawks (Oct. 4), vs. Denver Broncos (Oct. 11), at Kansas City Chiefs (Oct. 18)
Injuries to offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) riddled the Chargers offensive line last season. L.A. better hope the unit remains healthy in 2026. Otherwise, QB Justin Herbert will spend even more time on the ground after taking a career-high 54 sacks in 16 games in 2025.
The defenses of the Broncos and Seahawks specialize in pass-rushing. Denver logged a league-leading 68 sacks last season. Seattle, meanwhile, tied for seventh (47).
The Chiefs (35 sacks in 2025) and Bills (36 sacks in 2025) didn’t produce as many sacks but still generated pressure. Pro Football Reference credited K.C. with 61 QB knockdowns in 2025, tied for No. 7 in the NFL. Buffalo, meanwhile, tied for 14th in QB knockdowns (51).