NFL
By: Greg Rector
No division in football made more noise this offseason than the AFC West teams. The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled the division for the last six seasons including winning one Super Bowl. This season the three division rivals have all made major roster moves and we saw the Chiefs’ most dangerous weapon, Tyreek Hill leaving Kansas City for the Miami Dolphins what does that mean for Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Chiefs? Can Russell Wilson be the difference maker in the Mile High city of Denver? Will Derek Carr and the Las Vegas Raiders challenge with their new receiving weapon Davante Adams? Finally, can Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers take the step up and become a playoff team? Let’s look at what might be the NFL’s toughest division in 2022 starting with the Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs 2021 Record 12-5 (Lost AFC Championship)
Offense
Last year saw the Chiefs struggle early on as teams used plenty of Cover 2 and 2-man defensive coverage to defuse the high-octane Chiefs offense. Mahomes had 8 interceptions in the first six weeks of the season. Eventually, the Chiefs got back to normal and were able to put up offensive numbers we’ve grown accustomed to. The 2022 season could be more of the same just with new names. The loss of Hill one of the most dangerous receivers in the league sees the Chiefs going with multiple new receivers who will have to make Mahomes look good. JuJu Smith Schuster (Steelers) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Packers) were signed and the Chiefs also drafted Skyy Moore (Western Michigan) to join veteran tight end Travis Kelce. Time will tell if the Chiefs going with more options will work out or not. The offensive line will also look different from 2021 as veteran RT Mitchell Schwartz retired and the blindside protector Orlando Brown Jr could not agree on a long-term contract, Brown has yet to sign his franchise tag and while one expects he might do so, it might just not happen until Brown has missed time. The other weakness for the Chiefs has been the running game as Clyde Edwards-Helaire has not been the breakout back he looked to be coming out of LSU and that 2019 championship team. Enter Ronald Jones II late of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We could see much more of a committee approach, especially if late-round pick Isiah Pacheco (Rutgers) also makes the roster.
Defense
Just as the offense struggled early on for the Chiefs the defense also did not look all that good early on in 2021. They did turn things around however the “Honey Badger,” Tyrann Mathieu is no longer playing safety for the Chiefs. Matthieu was physically and mentally a leader and his presence alone bolstered the unit, especially in the big games. Once Chris Jones was moved inside along the defensive line that group improved. Improving the depth of this group was a primary focus of the draft. Corner Trent McDuffie (Washington) and edge rusher George Karlaftis (Purdue) were both taken in the first round of the draft. The Chiefs also added safety Bryan Cook (Cincinnati) and LB Leo Chenal (Wisconsin) in the second round. The newcomers are going to have to step up and in the AFC West, they will all be challenged by the opposing offenses that are all loaded with plenty of weapons. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will need these guys to contribute right off the bat.
Outlook
Good luck trying to predict any record for these AFC West teams in 2022. The six-division games are going to be absolute wars if the teams remain healthy when facing each other. While Kansas City was one game away from a return to the Super Bowl last year the 2022 season will be far more challenging than many of the previous six campaigns. Head coach Andy Reid is still a master of in-game adjustments and there’s enough veteran talent that’s been through the wars, that the infusion of new talent still makes the Chiefs a team to be reckoned with. I don’t see anyone dominating this division, however. Therefore I will predict a record of 11-6 for this campaign. Week in and week out this will be a battle.
