Stepping Up A Notch – 2024 AFC West Preview

The division that has produced the last two Super Bowl champions hasn’t produced much else lately. Three of the teams will be looking up at one team in the division, not to mention a bunch of other teams in the AFC. Will any of them dethrone the kings of the NFL, or will it be the same old story again?

 

Denver Broncos

Record in 2023-24: 8-9

Key Player: Courtland Sutton – Wide Receiver

Player To Watch: Bo Nix – Quarterback

Head coach Sean Payton will go into his second year in Denver with an extreme level of optimism. His Broncos team were closer to a playoff berth than their sub .500 record would indicate.

Rookie Bo Nix is slated to be the teams starting quarterback, after playing in two preseason games and finishing with 205 yards and two touchdowns. Payton himself would have us all believe that an upgrade at quarterback is all they needed to be better last season. Now he has his chance to prove himself right.

Nix will have to lean on Courtland Sutton, who finished last season with 10 touchdowns, but once again finished under 1,000 receiving yards. Wide receiver Marvin Mimms should take a step forward with the departure of Jerry Jeudy. The offensive line has added depth with draft picks and a few free agent signings. Anything to help improve a rushing attack that finished 18th in rushing yards last season.

Denver has made some improvements to a defense that finished towards the bottom in most statistical categories. Defensive lineman Malcolm Roach comes over from the Saints and is considered one of the best run defenders in the NFL. Defensive end John Franklin Meyers should provide a boost in the pass rushing department. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II is one of the best defensive backs in the NFL and should be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Prediction: 6-11

 

Kansas City Chiefs

Record in 2023-24: 11-6

Key Player: Chris Jones – Defensive Tackle

Player to Watch: Xavier Worthy – Wide Receiver

How do you stay on top of the mountain? It doesn’t hurt to have the best quarterback in the league, but switching from an offensive team to a defensive team did the trick in 2023.

Andy Reid can once again fire up his offense with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Isiah Pacheco. This season they’ve added a much needed infusion of speed with wide receivers Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy.

The team should definitely improve their offense, which finished 15th in total points scored a season ago.

The 2023 Chiefs’ defense was menacing to opposing offenses, finishing second in total points and total yards allowed. They’ve pretty much remained the same with anchor Chris Jones leading the charge. Fourth round pick Jaden Hicks has been impressive in the preseason and could see some major playing time early.

All in all, the Chiefs look poised to make another playoff run and possible third Super Bowl run in as many years. Prediction: 12-5

 

  Las Vegas Raiders

Record in 2023-24: 8-9

Key Player: Davante Adams – Wide Receiver

Player To Watch: Brock Bowers – Tight End

The Raiders haven’t made the playoffs since the teams second season playing in Las Vegas (2021). Head coach Antonio Pierce took over at mid-season and finished with a 5-4 record. With massive upgrades in both sides, the Raiders look poised to make it a dog fight at the top of the division.

Quarterback Gardner Minshew II comes in and looks to improve on an offense that finished 23rd in total points scored last season. He’ll have over 2,000 receiving  yards in the form of Devante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.

First round draft pick Brock Bowers should instantly become one of the best tight ends in football, both receiving and blocking. Running back Zamir White will be the featured back in a loaded backfield that includes former Minnesota Vikings’ back Alexander Mattison.

A defense that already features defensive end Maxx Crosby added another one of the best defensive lineman in Christian Wilkins. The two could combine to form one of the best lineman duos in NFL history. The secondary is young and needs to prove themselves. Fourth round draft pick Decamerion Richardson could turn some heads at the cornerback position.

The Raiders have made the moves that should make them serious threats in the AFC West. Prediction: 7-10

 

Los Angeles Chargers

Record in 2023-24: 5-12

Key Player: Ladd McConkey – Wide Receiver

Player to Watch: Junior Colson – Linebacker

The biggest question mark in the division comes in the form of the Los Angeles Chargers. I would use the word new, but the word different might be more appropriate. They bring in Jim Harbaugh to take over at head coach. He’s certainly not new to the NFL game, even after coaching in the college ranks for a number of years.

Justin Herbert is a familiar face and one of the faces of the NFL. He’ll have a bunch of different pieces around him, especially at the running back position. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins will be featured in the backfield, replacing Austin Ekeler from last season. He’ll rely heavily on rookie Ladd McConkey as well as Quentin Johnston in the passing game.

Maybe a different scheme will help a defense that finished towards the bottom of the league in total points allowed. Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Derwin James are three of the best defensive playmakers in the NFL, but what do they have outside of that trio? Third round pick Junior Colson could make some noise at linebacker, while cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. should take another step forward as one of the better players at his position.

The defense is as much a work in progress as the offense will be.

The Chargers have way too many question marks to be relied upon to make any real noise, but stranger things have happened in the past. Prediction: 8-9