NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The AFC West is home to the champs. The Kansas City Chiefs have proven t at every year they should not be counted out no matter who they lose or pick up. While the Chiefs waive their Lombardi Trophy, teams such as the Los Angeles Chargers, denver broncos, and the Oakland Raiders are doing their best to keep pace. Last season, the Chargers did their best but came up short in the playoffs.
Heading into the 2023-24 NFL season, each team in the AFC West has made moves they hope will have them in contention for the Division title. The Chiefs are still loaded but they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas with the hungry Chargers on their trail. In Vegas, there is a new QB in town to pair with Davante Adams. Out in Denver, fans are hoping that Russell Wilson will regain his Pro Bowl form while being paired with Sean Payton.
Las Vegas Raiders
Which Jimmy Garoppolo did the Las Vegas Raiders get? Did they get the one who led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2021 or are they getting the QB who can’t stay on the field an entire season? Davante Adams is still one of the best receivers in the NFL and if Josh Jacobs and the front office can ever get to an agreement, the Raiders’ offense does have weapons to keep defenses honest.
Much like with Derek Carr, the success of the Raiders lies on the shoulders of their QB. Carr was treated like a stepchild to end the season and there are even reports that his good friend Adams may be regretting his decision to come to Vegas. With Jacobs on the outs regarding his contract, all this could blow up quickly before it even gets started.
The defense needs work. Can the Raiders stop anyone? It seems that every team in the AFC West has improved and the Raiders are still out here taking gamblers with their important positions. In a division that houses the high-powered Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos. The Raiders cannot afford to get off to a slow start.
Denver Broncos
Was it a fluke year or did we just watch the beginning of the end to the great career of Russell Wilson? The Denver Broncos sure as hell hope it’s not the latter. Wilson has been stellar throughout his career with the Seattle Seahawks but his first year in Denver was downright disappointing. Can he rebound? With new coach Sean Payton at the helm, Wilson is expected to return back to form. but he will need help.
The offense of the Broncos is not short on talent. At the RB position, they go with Javonte Williams who played just 4 games last season. The Broncos are hoping Williams can return to his 2021 form where he rushed for 903 yards with just 1 start. The receivers took a huge blow with the season-ending injury to Tim Patrick. Courtland Sutton and Jerry Juedy will see plenty of balls thrown their way.
Who Will Win The AFC West
On the defensive side, the Broncos must attack. Last season, they registered just 36 sacks and in a division where QB play is at a high level, they will need to put pressure on the opposition. The Broncos gave up 21.1 points per game last season while scoring just 16.9. Vance Joseph is in his frost season as DC and the Broncos will need every bit of that brain to turn things around.
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert got paid. While he deserves some cash, he still hasn’t led the Los Angeles Chargers far enough to warrant top-tier QB money. Yes, he has thrown for a ton of yards and TDs but the team as a whole is still struggling to find that success that has followed Josh Allen, Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and even Jalen Hurts. It’s time for Herbert to take that next step this season.
The Chargers need to adjust their rushing attack, especially with leading rushing Austin Ekeler not sure if LA is the right fit for him. As far as receivers go, the Chargers have a formable pair in Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. If they can get solid production from their TEs, Herbert will ascend to the next level with the other signal callers mentioned above.
On the defensive side of the ball, it’s the same as the Chiefs and Raiders. Do they have enough to stop the teams in the AFC West from dropping 30+ a game? Last season they surrendered 23.1 points per game. Something has to give. Making the playoffs is cool but this is Year 3 for Herbert and the time is now if they’re going to catch Mahomes and the Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are the reigning champs for a reason. They have the talent that keeps them not only atop the AFC West but the entire NFL. With Patrick Mahomes leading the way, the Chiefs believe they’re never out of a game. And truth be told, when has he let them down? Even after the departure of Tyreeke Hill, the Chiefs’ offense was just as productive. As long as Mahomes has Travis Kelce suiting up, the Chiefs will not be an easy out.
Heading into the upcoming season, can they do it again? While they relied on unproven talent last season, they’re now a year wiser with time under their belts. One of their hiccups was the ground game but during their Super Bowl run, Isiah Pacheco proved he was more than capable of stepping up and leading the way. The Chiefs, despite not haven’t a household name in the receiver room, did just enough to hoist that Lombardi Trophy.
The Chiefs’ defense is a bend but don’t break unit and with the AFC West loaded with great offensive players, they will need to be a better unit than they were a season ago. Who will be the man who shores up their Pass Defense that ranked 18th in Passing Yards allowed last season? And with veteran Frank Clark gone who will team with Chris Jones to put pressure on the opposing QBs?
