NFL Preview 2019 AFC West

NFL Preview 2019 AFC West

The AFC West could have a team that represents the AFC in the Super Bowl this year.  The Chiefs are on of the elite teams in the NFL.  It is similar to what Andy Reid was able to do with the Eagles.  While Donovan McNabb was a pretty good quarterback. Patrick Mahomes is much better.  That could be the difference between what Reid was able to do in Philadelphia and what he is doing in Kansas City.  Even with a few issues on defense it may not matter for the Chiefs.  If the Chargers had a home they would be a team to contend as well.  It is sad what the owners of this team have done to their fans.  The only fan base that is getting screwed worse is the Raiders fans.  Funny that two of the most incompetent owners are in the same division.  I guess at least the Chargers were able to build a team that can compete in spite of the owners craziness.  The Broncos are “Building”  I am not sure what they are actually building but they will be good on defense.  Bringing in Vic Fangio will make sure of that.  The problem will be that the offensive genius John Elway can’t bring in Peyton Manning again so he will have to find a quarterback somewhere else.  Pretty sure he will not.

Kansas City Chiefs

This is the Chiefs division to lose.  What I mean by that is they should have no trouble walking away with this one.  They are one of the top teams in the NFL.  They have one of the best new players in Patrick Mahomes.  The have very talented skill players and won of the best coaches in the NFL.  This team should be able to pick up right where it left off in the regular season last year.  I see no reason baring some serious injury that they will not be playing in the AFC Championship game.  The question for the Chiefs is did they get any better on defense.  I am not sure on that one.  I really don’t think it matters much.  The offense is going to be really good.  Not sure that Mahomes is going to match his numbers from last year but he is probably going to be pretty close and that will be enough.  The Chiefs defense will be an offense that keeps the other teams offense off the field.

Chiefs Record 12 – 4

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are an interesting story.  Like last year they will not have any home games.  Technically they will be the home team in the games they Play in Los Angeles.  How ever like last year. There will be more fans in the stands for the team they are playing then there will be for the Chargers.  This is sad since the Chargers are going to be a pretty good team.  They tied the Chiefs for first in the West last year.  I do not see them doing that this year but I do see them being a playoff team again.  It is really a bummer that the ownership is so crappy here.  Really they should be forced to sell to someone that really cares.  If they want a nice home move to Columbus, Ohio they would sell out every game and get some fantastic support.  It will never happen.

The Chargers offense is going to put up some numbers.  Phillip Rivers still has some gas left.  Even if they do not come to an agreement with Melvin Gordon the Chargers are still going to put up some points.  It would be nice to have Gordon on the team but the Chargers offense runs though Rivers not Gordon.  With this offense you could plug another back in to it and still get similar numbers here.

On defense losing Derwin James will hurt but he could be back in November.  It is very possible that Joey Bosa could lead the league in sacks this year.  It will depend on how healthy he can stay.  With as good as the Chargers offense is the defense can have a down game and the Chargers could still be in the game.

Chargers Record 11-5

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are just a huge question mark.  They have a great defensive coordinator as their head coach now.  It is hard to say if Vic Fangio will translate to a great head coach.  Sometimes this works out but when a coach goes this long before becoming a head coach it does not always work out.  Not saying it won’t but just don’t know if it will.  There is no question that he is a great defensive coordinator.  The Defense is more than likely going to be alright.  Or at least pretty decent.

The question here is will the Addition of Joe Flacco make a difference on offense.  I say that NO it will not make a difference.  The numbers that Flacco put up last year were not any better than the numbers that the Broncos quarterbacks put up last year.  Other than Flacco being in the right place at the right time to get that huge contract from the Ravens he really has not done that much.  Really if the Broncos defender does not fall down in the 2012 AFC Semi final the Ravens do not even make that super bowl.  While I do not see the Broncos being as bad as there 6 – 10 record from last year.  I also do not see them being a playoff team.  They will get at lest two division wins against the Raiders.  So they do have that to look forward to.

Broncos Record 8-8

Oakland Raiders

There is no masking the smell the Raiders are going to leave in Oakland.  You would think that they would want to leave their fans with some good memories.  But then you remember they are leaving their loyal fans – again.  Nothing like slapping every single one of your fans in the face as you head out the door.  The Raiders have mishandled every thing over the last few years.  They paid a ton of money to Gruden who had been out of the coaching game for ten years.  They brought in Mike Mayock to run the team.  Other than being like me and writing about sports he had no real qualifications to run a team.  So far it has really shown.  The Raiders thought that they got one over on the Steelers by trading a third and fifth round pick for Antonio Brown.  By cutting ties with him before the season they saved them selves some money.  But can you really say it was worth it?  No  you absolutely cannot.  The Steelers are laughing at them.  The Raiders have done nothing to really get better this year  They have not done much of anything.  Maybe that was their plan.  But if their plan was to fail then they should have paid closer attention to the Browns.    I am going to give the Raiders four wins but would not be surprised if they go the whole season without a win.

Raiders Record 4 – 12