As training camp is upon us, we will be doing season previews for each division, similar to our draft preview. Today, we start with the AFC West and the Super Bowl Champions Broncos.
Last year, the eventual NFL Champion were the Denver Broncos. Some people think that this team has the the potential to repeat as champions, I don’t even know if they will win their division. Last year, the team was lead by their legendary defense, spearheaded by Von Miller, and helped overcome weak Quarterback play from now Texans, Brock Osweiler and future Hall of Famer, Peyton Manning, who performed poorly in his twilight years. This year, their starting QB is Mark “ButtFumble” Sanchez, who somehow wound up with another starting gig with a great defense after years of underachieving with the Jets and Eagles. Behind him rookie first rounder, Paxton Lynch, and Trevor “Long Balls” Siemian, both trying to knock the Sanchize out of the starting role. They also signed Super Bowl MVP, Von Miller, to a long term deal, but lost valued starters like Malik Jackson, and Danny Trevathan to free agency. Yes the Broncos will struggle, but not because their team is bad, but because their division could be one of the strongest in the NFL.
The Broncos are in the AFC West, and will have to face the Chiefs, Raiders, and Chargers all twice. Kansas City reached the AFC Divisional round, and Andy Reid seems to have figured out how to win with the Chiefs and their defense. With veteran leadership from former #1 overall pick Alex Smith and speed demon Jamaal Charles, this team looks poised to take the AFC West Title from the Broncos. Young talent like Travis Kelce on offense, as well as dominance from safety Eric Berry, and the Chiefs look like a scary team to face.
The Raiders on the other hand, are an up-and-coming team with youth in skill positions on offense as well as players on defense such as Karl Joseph, Khalil Mack, and Bruce Irvin. In fact, the Raiders might be the darkhorse pick to win the division, largely due to the young nucleus of talent combined with the horrendous quarterback position in Denver. Should the Silver and Black continue their positive development, they will be a force to reckon with, and could be a solid playoff team.
David Carr might be one of the most highly touted QB prospects since Andrew Luck. He has fans of the Silver and Black excited for this upcoming season. Yet he’s not even the best Quarterback in the division. That title belongs to Phillip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers had a rough season, almost leaving San Diego, on top of finishing 4-12. The Chargers were not a good team last year, but don’t discredit Phillip Rivers and his ability to carry a sub-par team past their potential. Kennan Allen is still a game-changer, and gives Rivers a good target to throw to. Defensively, the team lost long time safety Eric Weedle to the Ravens in free agency, but drafted Joey Bosa with the 3rd overall pick, and he is expected to immediately make an impact on the Chargers pass rush.
Now comes the part where I make asinine predictions that have about a 10% chance to be right. So lets do it.
AFC Champs: Kansas City Chiefs: 10-6
2: Oakland Raiders 9-7
3: Denver Broncos: 9-7
4: San Diego Chargers: 5-11
