Way Too Early NFL Predictions: AFC West

Carter Gauthier

AFC West

Chiefs are the team to beat in the AFC. A path to the Super Bowl will go through them, but the loss of Tyreek Hill will prove to matter. Mahomes could possibly see a decline in numbers without Tyreek. They picked up JuJu which is a good fit, but nobody in the league can replace Hill. Definitely a playoff team in this loaded AFC West

The Raiders surprised everyone this offseason. Trading for Davante Adams for picks that they always miss is a great move for Vegas. Adams has been regarded as one of the best receivers in the league, and he reunites with his former college QB Derek Carr. Carr has all the weapons to prove his case that he is a top 10 QB. The defense did suffer a blow by losing Casey Hayward, but a DPOY season for Maxx Crosby could be in order. A big question mark is Josh McDaniels as the new head coach. In his first head coaching stint, he ended up going 11-17 in two years with the team. But, their roster is too talented not to compete for a playoff birth. 

The Chargers are a team that could win the division, or just be the stinker of the AFC West. Herbert is going to have an amazing season, and he could be in the running for MVP. The big thing with this team is their defense. They are now loaded with talent at that side of the ball. Their defense has crazy talent with JC Jackson, Khalil Mack, Derwin James, and Joey Bosa. Similar to the Raiders, this team is too talented not to compete hard for a playoff spot.

Broncos traded for Russell Wilson. They signed Randy Gregory. This team wants to win now, just like every team in the AFC West. Russ could definitely have a little bit of a homesick season but ultimately he will be an X-Factor on that side of the ball. Their defense has nothing to prove; they’ve proved it. The offensive weapons the Broncos have are just what Russ needs. Judy, Sutton, Patrick. Many say that there is no tight end so Russ might not be as good. In Russell Wilson’s career, he had 3 years with a good tight end, the rest are mostly out of the league. The new coach, Nathaniel Hackett has a lot to prove this year with a capable winning squad. A possible playoff run could be in order considering Wilson’s winning abilities.