Projected AFC West End-of-Season Standings
1 Los Angeles Chargers
2 Kansas City Chiefs
3 Denver Broncos
4 Oakland Raiders
It feels like generations have come and gone since the last time the Chargers have met, or exceeded their preseason hype. However, they have the ability on defense to be elite, and the weapons on offense to play really good, efficient football. The AFC West was once the deepest and toughest division to play in. That’s no longer the case.
The Chargers were the NFL’s top coverage unit in 2017. pic.twitter.com/dqjyvYYnrY
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) September 9, 2018
It’s tempting to put the Chiefs in first. After all, they’re totally unproven at the most important position in all of sports. But it’s not like Alex Smith was Joe Montana. Turning over the keys to Patrick Mahomes was the right move. KC might struggle a little offensively early on as Mahomes gets up to speed, but they’ve still got a really great defense and plenty of offensive weapons that they can find easy ways to get the ball – whether it’s out of the backfield or on short, simple throws.
Getting Case Keenum could turn into one of the offseason’s more secretly great moves. The Broncos have plenty of receiving options, similar to – but probably not as good as – the Vikings squad that was very successful with Keenum last season. Even with Von Miller, though, Denver doesn’t have Minnesota’s defense and will struggle with their in-division games.
In the matter of mere months – before even coaching a game in his return – Jon Gruden has worn out his welcome (back) to the Raiders. If there’s one sure-fire way to turn heel immediately, it would be to trade the best player on the roster before the season starts and trying to spin it with some “we’re better off without him” discourse. That’s pretty much what Gruden did. Plus, the Raiders are in a precarious position already with their fans thanks to a looming move to Las Vegas. Nothing feels good about this situation.
QB Watch (Because It’s the Most Important Position)
Los Angeles: In order for the Chargers to truly compete, Phillip Rivers needs something close to a career year. He’s been consistent through the years but Rivers may come up just short of having the prerequisites to join the “elite QB” club. He’s certainly better than some quarterbacks who have who Super Bowls.
Kansas City: Patrick Mahomes isn’t a rookie but he needs to get out to a good start early. The Chiefs have put all their eggs in Mahomes’ basket. And it’s always an interesting dynamic when a first-year QB takes over for a franchise that’s otherwise build to win the championship.
Denver: Case Keenum is the best quarterback Denver has had in years. Too bad the rest of the roster is a bit depleted due to some lackluster draft classes over that same time span.
$8,333,593: Total cost to Denver Broncos for the Paxton Lynch experiment. pic.twitter.com/CjzHzdlbKQ
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 2, 2018
Oakland: Derek Carr has been a little bit of a roller coaster. He’s looked good, he’s looked bad. He’s also missed plenty of time due to injury. The Raiders seem committed to Carr (for now), but that could change relatively quickly if the team has another down year – which looks pretty likely.
Non-QB Positions/Plater to Watch
Los Angeles: Joey Bosa looks like the next player to reach the JJ Watt/Khalil Mack/Von Miller-level of defensive dominance … if he’s not there already. It’s important for the Chargers he takes the next step. That’ll go a long way in allowing the entire team to do the same.
Kansas City: With Tyreek Hill, Kareem Hunt, and newly-acquired Sammy Watkins, then Chiefs have as much big-play potential as any NFL team. That trio will be endlessly fun to watch provided they’re quarterback gets them the ball.
Regardless of who you root for, the Kansas City Chiefs are going to be the NFL’s equivalent of a #LeaguePassAlert team on the field this year.
This. Will. Be. Fun. @robertmays: pic.twitter.com/5LnLx49ZR4
— The Ringer (@ringer) September 5, 2018
Denver: The Broncos have one of the best wide receiving duos in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. They also added rookie Courtland Sutton. It’s important that not only does this unit stay productive, but improve on performances from year’s past.
Oakland: How tense the situation gets between Gruden, the team, and the city of Oakland before the franchise moves will be fascinating theater.
Jon Gruden’s first offseason #Raiders:
– Build the NFL’s oldest roster (age: 27.4).
– Trade Khalil Mack, who leads all EDGE rushers in pressures since 2014.
– Trade 79 overall for Martavis Bryant, then cut him before Week 1.
– Select T Kolton Miller over S Derwin James.
— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) September 3, 2018
Crazy-Wild Scenario
Jon Gruden is the genius he’s been played up to be. Everything is over. Just hand the next five Lombardi Trophies to Jon Gruden.
