Chiefs 13-4
This Chiefs roster lost a lot offensively when Tyreek Hill left. What they lost in attacking weapons though, they made up for in stellar defensive pieces. Adding George Karlaftis to Chris Jones and Frank Clark up front makes this Chiefs pass rush look like one of the best in a division full of great pass rushing talent. Adding Trent McDuffie to the secondary provides yet another defensive back for Steve Spagnuolo to coach up. Defensively this looks like one of the most fearsome defenses in the AFC. It will be up to Andy Reid to revamp his offense around new weapons, JuJu Smith Schuster and Marques Valdes Scantling, along with rookie Skyy Moore. It’s hard not to have faith in one of the best coaches in the NFL along with a top-five QB. The Chiefs look set to once again have a super successful season. The competition will be fiercer this year though.
Chargers 12-5
The Chargers have assembled the best roster the team has had in the last ten years. Nearly every position on the team looks to be a position of strength. Whether it be star QB Justin Herbert and his ascension into superstardom as he looks to make his first playoff appearance or the seemingly dynamic pass-rushing duo of Joey Bosa and new LA star Khalil Mack, the Chargers look ready to compete in the AFC. The question that will hang over their heads until success comes though, will they be able to overcome seemingly decades of bad luck. From fluky kickers to injuries, to the poor run defense that ultimately cost them a playoff spot last year, the Chargers seem to be a cursed organization. Will they be able to overcome that to become a true contender in the next few years of what looks to be a dominant AFC? Only time will tell, but on paper, the roster screams yes.
Broncos 11-6
The Broncos haven’t had a winning record in five years. They have not made the playoffs in six. This off-season’s massive swing for Russell Wilson hopes to remedy that. For years the cry out of Broncos country has been, “Oh if we only had a Quarterback”, well they finally do. It’s time to find out now how good the roster actually is. Can Jerry Jeudy’s lack of success be blamed on poor QB play? Is KJ Hamler truly a great deep threat? These are questions that will finally be answered this year. The Broncos have proven targets in Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick but it’s time for the massively hyped prizes from the 2020 draft class to step up and prove themselves as true, game-changing talents. The offensive line will be another huge question, Russ is famous for holding the ball and waiting for big plays, will he have time to do it? That style also competes with rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Does Hackett have what it takes to work with Russ and make the offense something the both of them can agree on? This is another huge question. As a Broncos fan, I am incredibly high on the team as the record prediction suggests, I just want to acknowledge, that there are still a lot of questions surrounding this roster. Either way, it’s time to ride.
Raiders 11-6
When a fourth-place team is projected for over ten wins, you know the division is good. The secondary in Vegas won’t hold up and that’s why I see them being the only team from the division that misses out on playoff glory. Derek Carr is a top-ten QB, how much higher can he fly with the best offense that has ever been assembled around him. I would argue the Raiders have the best weapons in the division, they will need them with a suspect secondary. This division is a toss-up, it could finish totally flipped from what I have here and I wouldn’t be surprised. Every team will win nine or more games, that’s the only thing I feel confident about. I’m ready for this fight.