Training Camp Round Ups: AFC West
It’s been a good number of years since one division in the NFL has entered a season with such a gauntlet of power at the top. Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr, Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson can all be considered top ten QB’s entering the season. All four will be playing in the AFC West in 2022.
The biggest question is just how many of the teams from the division will be in the playoffs come December.
Kansas City Chiefs
We are past the “Tyreek is down there somewhere” days of the Chiefs offense. Expect a more balanced attack with far more distribution of the ball. Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid still lead the team, and they have never failed to deliver double digit wins.
Camp Highlights: The Wide receiver Room – Standout new additions, Juju Smith-Shuster
Floor: Tough divisional games – only 10-11 wins and a wildcard spot
The Chiefs have the highest floor in the division. The partnership between Reid and Mahomes has proven year after year that it can adapt to any circumstance. Because of this dominance, the rest of the division has been in an arms race to catch up.
But the fully loaded division may lead to Kansas City missing the top seed in the division.
Ceiling: Mahomes reminds us all why he is the best QB in the league – 14-15 wins and AFC Crown.
As much as any team can fly under the radar with Mahomes as their QB, the Chiefs find themselves entering the season without a huge target on their backs. The Bills are the odds on Super Bowl favorites, and the AFC West is loaded. But this is exactly where the Chiefs want to be. Expect to see a return to 2018 MVP form from Mahomes.
Denver Broncos
Broncos Country, lets ride. With Russell Wilson, the Broncos have finally dragged themselves out of the QB purgatory they have been mired in since Peyton Manning’s noodle arm.
Camp Highlights: QB Russell Wilson, a new scheme that will finally let him ‘cook.’
Floor: Wilson is not the Wilson of old, AFC West rivals too strong – 6-8 wins
Denver’s season relies solely on the back of Wilson. The coaching staff has given him ultimate veto power on all plays for the season. If Wilson cannot get back to his top form shown in the 2016-2019 seasons, the massive upgrade at QB still might not be enough.
Ceiling: Wilson flourishes, defense behind Surtain II is a top ten unit – 10-11 wins and wild card.
All Wilson wants to do is cook. Reminiscent of the early 200s Colts, the Broncos have completely turned the offense control over to Wilson. He finally has the opportunity to cook.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders were only a few plays away from beating the AFC champions the Bengals last season, and they got even better in the offseason. Carr has consistently played close in division games and looks to keep this trend going into 2022.
With newly acquired (and his former college teammate) All Pro WR Davante Adams, and offensive guru Josh McDaniels, the Raiders are poised to be the dark horse of the division.
Camp Highlights: Derek Carr to Adams Connection
Floor: The stacked division proves too much to handle, 9-8 wins.
The AFC West has been an arms race, and while Derek Carr may be a top ten QB, he may end the season as the worst in the division. The Raiders have improved, but their divisional opponents, on the back of three All Pro quarterbacks, may be too much for the Raiders to handle.
Ceiling: Raiders split majority of divisional games – get to double digit wins and a wildcard.
The Raiders have always played their best games of the season against there divisional rivals. Bets case scenario for the Raiders this season is to split their matchups in the division and beat up on their non-divisional opponents enough to secure double digit wins. The AFC is loaded this season, and ten wins minimum will be needed for a playoff berth.
Los Angeles Chargers
This is the Chargers ‘all-in’ season. With All Pro QB Justin Herbert under his rookie deal, the Chargers are taking advantage of their window and going all in to bring the team back to the playoffs.
Camp Highlights: Kahil Mack and the revamped defensive line
Floor: Tough divisional match ups – 10-11 wins and a wild card.
Like the Bills, Chiefs, and Packers, the Chargers enter the season with one of the highest floors in the NFL. On paper. That is the key, on paper. The Chargers have yet to prove on the field that they can produce as a team. Herbert is a generational talent, but it’s on the rest of team to raise the floor.
Ceiling: Herbert in year three has an MVP worthy season -12-14 wins and possibly #1 seed in AFC.
Herbert is so close to entering the top quarterback in the league conversation, and enters the season poised to do just that. On the defensive side of the ball the chargers added Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson to a top ten defensive line unit. This is a new era for the Chargers, and the rest of the AFC West will be put on notice.
