AFC West Predictions
Today we tackle the AFC West. Mentioned as the toughest division in football this figures to be a huge battle with lots of intriguing match ups between the 4 teams, plus the beginning of a new ERA in Los Angeles as the Charges move from San Diego to LA. Helping me today is my good friend Josh and we will be using the same format as before with my picks in bold and Josh's in regular font.
Raiders (11-5): I think the Raiders will be good. I am curious to see if the close games and ball doesn't bounce their way like it did last year ALA the 2016 Carolina Panthers compared to the 2015 version. If that happens I want to see what leaders this team has. Marshawn Lynch could become a problem like in Seattle if things don't go the way that he wants them to but overall I see them winning the division.
Raiders (12-4): Look I am not a big believer in Marshawn Lynch, but I do believe that Derek Carr is worth the money he was paid in the off-season. Oakland paired with Amari Cooper look to break out and I have the Raiders finishing as the 2 seed out of the AFC this year. The defense is what scares me but no offense that they face this year in this division or the AFC east minus the Patriots or the NFC east outside of the NY Giants really scares me that much so that should be a big break there for them. I am not expecting much out of Gareon Conley given his situation but a name to watch on this team is rookie Obi Melifonwu at safety.
Broncos (10-6): I think there is a chance the Broncos win the divison but only if Trevor Siemian plays like he did before the shoulder injury last year. I do think they will be more explosive on offense this year and CJ Anderson looks to be in better shape than he did a year ago during camp. The offensive line will be the biggest question mark on this team.
Broncos: (9-7): The QB situation in Denver bothers me. Paxton Lynch still isn't ready to play, Do you really Trust Trevor Siemian? or the offensive line? My answer is no, but that Defense is so darn good it's hard to see this team over .500 this year on the verge of a wild card spot.
L.A. Chargers (7-9): Pending any injuries I think that the Chargers can win 7 games just because of the offense.
L.A. Chargers (6-10): Poor Phillip Rivers... The most injury plagued team in the NFL the last 2 years has already been hit with injuries to their two most important rookies Mike Williams and Forrest Lamp both presumably lost for the year before pre-season game number one. This team cannot catch a break which is unfortunate considering the QB is a real gamer. He can carry this team to 6 wins but it begs the question on who else is going to be on IR before year end.
K.C. Chiefs (6-10): I think that the Chiefs struggle this year, and end up making the switch to Mahomes before struggling more.
K.C. Chiefs (10-6): No I am not on the Josh train of having the Chiefs fall off the cliff just yet, that's still a year away. Alex Smith and CO still have one more year to go for it all but I see them taking a wild card spot and running into the same buzz saw that everyone else in the AFC happens to run into in N.E. Marcus Peters is the best secondary player in that division and he will show up again and is my DPOY in the division. This is a make or break year before deciding if they want to turn into a youth movement moving forward.
Quick Toss:
MVP: Derek Carr-Oak
MVP: Derek Carr-Oak
DROY: Gareon Conley-Oak
DROY: Obi Melifonwu-Oak
OROY: Carlos Henderson- Den
OROY: Kareem Hunt -K.C.
DPOY: Von Miller- Denver
DPOY: Marcus Peters- K.C.
OPOY: Derek Carr-Oak
OPOY: Amari Cooper- Oak
