Raiders seek AFC West lead with strong start in 2026
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 2, 2026, 8:00 AM
Last updated Oct 2, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders have opened the 2026 NFL season with a strong start, creating a chance to move atop the AFC West. If they defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, they would secure sole possession of first place in the division. The Raiders last held this position in 2021 and have not won the AFC West since 2002, which marked their last Super Bowl appearance. Under head coach Klint Kubiak, there is renewed hope for the franchise amid two decades of subpar performance.
- •Raiders last won AFC West in 2002 under Bill Calahan.
- •Klint Kubiak's tenure is off to a promising start in 2026.
- •Raiders need to defeat the Chiefs to hold sole division lead.
- •Franchise has struggled since last Super Bowl appearance.
- •Last sole possession of AFC West was in 2021.
- 8:00 AMYahoo Sports — Last time Raiders won the AFC West: Revisiting 2002 run to Super Bowl led by Rich Gannon
"Las Vegas has struggled for most of the last decade-plus, but with a strong start in 2026, the Raiders have a chance to finally sit atop the AFC West.
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