AFC West Season Preview

Yet another fascinating division. Lets start with one of the best teams in the league, and a team I expect to see deep in the playoffs... the one and only KC Chiefs.  

***Kansas City Chiefs***

What I like:

• Their coaching staff is deep and savvy.  
• The backfield is four deep, which is necessary with a fragile guy like Charles as the #1 back.   
• They simply stole Maclin from Philly last season. True #1 WR's rarely come on the market. 
• Kelce is in the discussion for best TE in the league .
• The Houston/ Hali bookend pass rushing tandem is also in the discussion for best in the NFL.
• They certainly hit a homerun with their 2012 1st round pick CB Marcus Peters.
• I'm a huge Nick Foles fan. He's reunited with the coach who drafted him. Hope he takes Smith's job sooner rather than later. 

What I hate:

• I simply don't like Alex Smith. Yes he has won games for them, and he will continue to do so this season. I know winning QB's don't grow on trees. But he is simply too conservative. On 4th and goal, with 0:00 left on the clock, down by 5, Smith would throw the ball away to avoid a turnover... And think it was smart. He can win in the regular season, but he's not a post season gamer. Period.    
• WR corps, D-line, and secondary have holes and lack depth. Luckily Reid can make lemonade out of lemons. He knows what he has and will make the best of it.   

I predict 11-5,and the clear cut winner of this division.

***San Diego Chargers***

What I like:

• I'm a Rivers fan. He is on the same level as his draft mates from the Steelers and Giants. Unlike Eli and Big Ben he is ringless. He has been saddled with a weak roster for his whole career, and he never complains.
• Sneaky good offensive squad. 
• Love the addition of free agent Travis Benjamin. With Allen coming back from injury Rivers finally has two solid playmakers on the outside.  
• Love their first two picks. Bosa is a rare pass rusher, Von Miller like. (more about him in the next section). Second round pick TE Hunter Henry is a long term starter IMHO. I had him as a first round talent. He and Gates are a perfect duo.
• I really like their backfield. Gordon will continue to progress. All Woodhead and Oliver do is make plays.   

What I hate:

• The O-line will hold them back this year, as it did in 2015.
• Their defense is not even a top 20 squad. On paper they are bottom 5, especially without Bosa. 
• McCoy is not a winner. Shocking to me that he still has this job. Rather see either of his coordinators in the top spot over him.    
• Finally the Bosa fiasco. Unacceptable. His camp is dug in. They need him WAY more than he needs them. Your franchise QB is no spring chicken, get this guy signed and on the field. In this day and age it shouldn't be this hard to sign a 1st round pick.

I think they miss the playoffs at 6-10. They aren't a horrible team, but the defenses in this division can hold them to under 21 and the opposing offenses will easily score 28+ on their weak defense. You can do the math.

***Denver Broncos***

What I like:

• Miller is signed.   
• Whomever starts at QB has some nice weapons to play with on offense.  
• That defense is still scary.    

What I hate:

• They had no back up plan for Osweiler. I'm glad they didn't overpay him, but Sanchez and Lynch are two terrible options.   
• Lynch was not a 1st round talent. Ridiculous/ desperate reach. Should have taken the aforementioned TE Hunter Henry.  
• I am very concerned about that O-line.   

I see them going 9-7 and possible wildcard birth.   

***Oakland Raiders***

Please reference my thorough post from a few weeks back:

Raiders Post

I predict 9-7 and another possible wildcard birth.

-Jay Wagner