We have reached the last 2 NFL divisions this week. The AFC West is a talented division with maybe even 2 potential Super Bowl teams. The Chiefs won the division with their 2nd year QB phenom, Patrick Mahomes, but the Chargers were right there with them. Both teams fell to New England en route to their title.

Chiefs

The Reigning MVP is Ready for the Super Bowl

Originally had the Chiefs taking a step back with the WR Tyreek Hill issues and the incredible offense from 2018 due for a regression. Plus, I really like the Chargers, but injuries have hit the Chargers yet again. So, the Chiefs should be the class of this division in 2019.

  • Coaches: Head Coach Andy Reid goes into his 6th season, and his team could be the best he has had so far. On offense, OC Eric Bieniemy returns at the post, which proved incredible in 2018. Now, Bieniemy did benefit from having perhaps the best QB prospect at the position since Favre in Mahomes. The dynamic offense with speed at every position really helps the play calling. The Chiefs keep you off balanced and make you defend the entire field like no other team in the league. On defense, the Chiefs made a switch with the firing of Bob Sutton at DC. It was necessary, as the Chiefs could not stop anyone. Steve Spagnuolo has been a very good DC with the Giants and even was the head coach of the Rams at one point. His style is a classic 4-3 front with very good edge rushers. Spagnuolo teaches toughness that the Chiefs need badly. I think he is the biggest acquisition for the Chiefs this off season.
  • Key Departures: Defensive changes were plentiful with S Eric Berry cut, DE Dee Ford was traded to SF, and CB Orlando Scandrick was not resigned. On offense, RB Kareem Hunt was cut mid-season in 2018, WR Chris Conley left in Free Agency to JAC.
  • Key Additions: The new faces on defense include: DE Frank Clark (SEA) takes Ford’s place, DE Alex Okafor (NO) will be good opposite Clark, S Tyran Mathieu (HOU) to take Berry’s spot, CB Bashaud Breeland was signed (GB) and Damien Wilson was signed to start at LB (DAL). On offense, (NO) RB Carlos Hyde was signed to help add depth to the RB corps.
  • Draft: The Chiefs did not have a 1st round pick, but they did have 2 second round picks – WR Mecole Hardman (Georgia) who is another small speedster and S Juan Thornhill (UVA) will give depth to the secondary. In the third, they added DT Khalen Saunders, a bit of a project from Western Illinois.
  • Final Analysis: With the teams in the division dealing with drama and issues for the most part, I like the Chiefs to take the AFC West and will likely host the AFC Title game again. Their schedule is harder than NE, but the Chiefs are a better team and could win at NE come January.

Chargers

Rivers’ Face Says It All Here

The Chargers played incredibly down the stretch last year. In fact, they were the best road team in the NFL (mainly because they had no real home field advantage). I love this team, but for 2 years straight training camp injuries have hurt them and will limit their ceiling in 2019.

  • Coaches: Head Coach Adam Lynn enters his second year at the helm. Clearly, Lynn’s calm, balanced approached helped this team. However, he was badly out coached at NE in the playoffs. On offense, OC Ken Wisenhunt returns, which means a heavy run attack and plenty of deep shots. His relationship with QB Philip Rivers has worked to very productive seasons. On defense, DC Gus Bradley returns to call one of the better defenses in the AFC. With incredible pass rushers in DE Joey Bosa and DE Melvin Ingram, the pressure leads this team to big plays for loss. If the secondary can play like last year, then they will be tough again. WR Tyrell Williams left in free agency to OAK giving targets to WR Mike Williams.
  • Key Departures: Not a departure, but injuries loom large now – OT Russell Okung had a pulmonary embolism in July and his return timetable is unknown, 2nd year S Derwin James has a stress fracture in his foot which has a 3 month minimum time table to return, and WR Keenan Allen suffered an ankle injury which may have him miss time. James was great on the blitz and in coverage of TEs. He will be missed. Allen is the top target for Rivers. Also not a departure yet, RB Melvin Gordon is holding out for more money and has yet to report to camp. He has demanded a trade to no avail. That is a key distraction this near elite team does not need. WR Tyrell Williams (OAK), CB Jason Verrett (SF) and DT Corey Liuget (unsigned) were not re-signed.
  • Key Additions: On defense, LB Thomas Davis (CAR) was signed to give leadership and toughness, DT Brandon Mebane (SEA) was signed to replace Liuget. QB Tyrod Taylor was signed to back up Rivers, which is a great move. Plus, TE Hunter Henry returns from his ACL surgery in 2019.
  • Draft: The Chargers added some young talent in the 1st DT Jerry Tillery (Notre Dame) who is a high motor type D-lineman. In the 2nd, S Nasir Adderley (Delaware) is versatile enough to play some nickel, in addition to Safety. They also took OT Trey Pipkins, a project player from Sioux Falls (that may be a community college).
  • Final Analysis: I want this team to win this division, and in my early projections, I had them in the Super Bowl. However, the initial injuries and the Gordon holdout make me downgrade this team. They are as talented as any team in the AFC, but I see another Wild Card berth over Division title.

Broncos

The Best Pass Rush Duo in the League?

The Broncos keep trying different QBs to manage the game enough for their defense. With a big QB acquisition of a veteran, GM John Elway is trying to recapture that Peyton Manning feel. Not going to work out the same way though.

  • Coaches: The Vance Joseph experiment is over. He was not ready for prime time, and Elway turns to a veteran DC over upstart OC for the head job in Vic Fangio. Fangio has headed great defenses in SF and CHI, so he should provide stability at the very least. At OC, a bit of a botch job initially where Gary Kubiak was supposed to get the job (he’s in MIN now). Instead, they have hired Rich Scangarello who has never been an OC with time under Shanahan in SF. So, not sure on the scheme, but I would expect run heavy given the defense. On defense, Ed Donatel gets the DC job who has coached under Fangio in SF and CHI in the secondary. Fangio’s defense is a front four pressure scheme with zone behind. Toughness and very fundamental schemes will make teams work for their points over pure pressure.
  • Key Departures: QB Case Keenum was a one year wonder (WAS). DE Shane Ray (BAL) and LB Brandon Marshall (OAK) were not re-signed.
  • Key Additions: QB Joe Flacco was acquired in a trade from BAL to try and return this team to glory. OT Ja’Waun James was signed to try and protect the passer from MIA. S Kareem Jackson was signed from HOU. CB Bryce Callahan was signed as a slot specialist CB from Chicago. RB Theo Riddick was signed from DET, but has a broken shoulder blade and will be out for a while.
  • Draft: The Broncos went offense in the draft – 1st round with TE Noah Fant (Iowa), in the 2nd with OT Dalton Risner (K State) and QB Drew Lock (Missouri) who could be good but he could lack the NFL makeup. They did pick one defensive player in the 3rd in DT Dre’Mont Jones (Ohio State).
  • Final Analysis: I think the Broncos will bounce back from their 6 win campaign in 2018. They are a .500 team for me. The defense will be Top 7, but the offense may be pretty sleepy in a division loaded with talent. They could be that one team that jumps into the playoffs from nowhere, but I’m not betting on that. 7 or 8 wins for me.

Raiders

Brown Still Doesn’t Have His Helmet On Straight

The Raiders are in the midst of a rebuild. With GM Mike Mayock and Head Coach Jon Gruden, it is hard to say if the Raiders are trying to win now or later with the all the moves. Plus, this team is on Hard Knocks this year, so it is truly a mystery if this team is for real or not. I’m seeing another rough year for this team with all the distractions including the recent WR acquisition.

  • Coaches: Head Coach Jon Gruden enters his 2nd year of a 10 year deal, so he is in no rush with the impending move to Las Vegas. He brings back Greg Olsen at OC with a heavy run focus. At DC, he sticks with Paul Guenther who’s defense was terrible last year. Gruden is hoping picking up some veterans and all the draft picks will gel in Year 2.
  • Key Departures: The amount of changes from 2018 is actually astounding. RB Marshawn Lynch retired again to make room for the rookie. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (WAS) was not re-signed, as was TE Jared Cook (NO). WR Jordy Nelson retired.
  • Key Additions: WR Antonio Brown (PIT) was acquired via trade and signed to a long term deal, but the talented WR is going full diva in camp – first the famous frostbite of the feet from a cryotherapy treatment and now the helmet saga. Brown has become a huge distraction. OG Richie Incognito (Retirement) may help the attitude of this team, but trouble usually follows. LB Vontaz Burfict (CIN) gets a classic Raiders’ 2nd chance here after flaming out for the Bengals. WR Tyrell Williams (LAC) is the least controversial addition, but he can play. OT Trent Brown was signed to a 4 year deal (NE) to help that O-line. S Lamarcus Joyner was signed (LAR).
  • Draft: The Raiders had 3 first round selections and did not follow conventional draft boards – at 4th overall, they selected DE Clelin Ferrell (Clemson) a bit early, then at 24th RB Josh Jacobs to replace Lynch, and finally, S Johnathan Abram (Mississippi State) who is a hitter. In the second, the Raiders added CB Trayvon Mullen (Clemson) to continue to add youth to that defense.
  • Final Analysis: I’m not going to fall for any of the Hard Knocks hype here. This team seems in disarray still. Yes, the talent is better than 2018, but the Brown distraction, the vets with baggage, and frankly a strange draft all lead me to believe this team will not be much better than 2018. I still see another 5-6 wins this year. The Division is too tough, and more importantly, the revolving door in that locker room cannot breed greatness in a very deep conference. Vegas will welcome the Raiders in 2020 and say good by the Oakland.

That is the AFC West, not a lot of change from a year ago. The Chiefs should still reign supreme, but the Broncos have the best shot at unseating the Chargers who are weakened by so much. The Raiders still look awful to me.

Ok, one more division to go later this week, the NFC West.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.