Via Geoff Schwartz
FOX Sports NFL Analyst
The best league in football is the AFC West, where three of the teams can make it to the knockout stages of the AFC. Let’s dive into my predictions for this stacked unit.
Guess what, people: The captains will be brilliant again this season. I understand they don’t have Tireek Hill but their roster is the deepest in years, and they still have head coach and caller in the Andy Reid Hall of Fame.
Patrick Mahomes had a “go-down” season in 2021, when The Chief’s offense came in third in efficiency. They return all five starting attacking lineups, one that finished top in the league last season. Tight ending Travis Kelce, with his five consecutive seasons of 1,000-yard reception, will once again be Mahomes’ preferred target. The Chiefs will replace Hill with a committee of recipients, including JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookies Skyy Moore.
The Chiefs’ defense has been overhauled over the past few seasons, with roster adjustments through free agency and most importantly in the draft. Their line of defense, has All-Pro Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Carlos Dunlap and select the first round draft George Karlaftis, much improved compared to last season. The biggest improvement I’ve seen in just a small sample size of preseason is defense speed and handling – Willie Gay, Nick Bolton, Justin Reid and more. The defense is just faster, faster and stiffer than in previous seasons.
Power: Andy Reid. Pretty simple. Andy Reid is a winner. His teams have won double digits in 17 seasons, including eight of his nine seasons at Kansas City. This captain has played in four consecutive AFC Championship Games. In each game, the Chiefs have the advantage of being guided by Big Red.
Breakout Player: There are plenty of options to choose from here, with all the new pieces that the Leaders have in terms of offense and defense. But I choose the player that the Team Leaders need to produce the way they signed him. Clark has started 29 games over the past two seasons with just 11 pitches and a total of 89 tackles (hits and throws), according to Pro Football Focus. With Jones inside and rookie Karlaftis assisting with a quick pass, Clark will have a chance.
Prediction win or lose: Yes, the Leaders have a tough schedule. They always do. And they will once again win 12 matches and split points. Prediction: 12-5.
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It’s time for the Charger to put it all together, but will they be? It’s like an age-old question for this organization.
Chargers return a loaded list in 2022. They are led by Justin Herbert. He’s calm under pressure, often one of the best in his position when faced with defenders blocking him. The charger has two All-Pro attack lines and a variety of premium skill placement weapons.
Regarding defense, they added Khalil Mack they pass in a hurry, pairing him with Joey Bosa. Their running defense, the worst in the NFL last season, has been bolstered through free agency. The charger works healthy Derwin James in the subsection and added JC Jackson in free agent. They have a forward-thinking young coach who is willing to take risks. I would rather let Brandon Staley push the boundaries than a coach who doesn’t believe in his players.
Power: Herbert’s ability to get things right, overcoming his pass defense, running defense and anything else troubles his team. It’s special and has been on display in his first two seasons. That kind of skill can reward a Super Bowl first team if others do well in their roles.
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Breakout Player: The right side of the Charger’s attack line has been poor for years and they’re hoping the fix is finally here. They don’t need elite players in the right guard or right handling positions, just people who can serve. They drafted Zion Johnson Overall, No. 17 plays right-back, and he will do well in the NFL. That brings us to Trey Pipkins, was named properly resolved last week. He’s only started 10 games in his first three seasons at Sioux Falls. The charger needs Pipkins to be an average handler to feel good about protecting Herbert for most of the season. I think he will.
Prediction win or lose: The Chargers are a playoff team this season, but until I see they don’t lose Texans on path 21 in a must-win game, I wouldn’t pick them to win the division. Prediction: 11-6.
The Broncos have been a quarter away from sustained success since Peyton Manning’s retirement. A big deal and a bigger expansion later, Denver has its new franchise quarter. Broncos previously acquired Seattle Seahawks football team midfielder Russell Wilson in hopes of reviving his career after a tumultuous 2021 season in which he missed out on time.
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The Broncos have good pieces around Wilson, including a much improved attack, multiple picks and a defense that has been built over the years, although they need to play better than their 20th place this season. previous prize. Their defense consists of a Bradley Chubb paired with the newly acquired pass tool Randy Gregory. Second year corner Patrick Surtain II is becoming one of the best of the league and the unit has other rising players.
Power: The Broncos hope that 33-year-old Wilson can forge a bright next chapter under new head coach Nathaniel Hackett. We know all about Wilson’s physics stuff, including the best deep pitching in the NFL. However, his play has declined over the past few seasons. He finished the 2020 season in 15th place in terms of expected points added to midfielders. Last season, he was 19th after making just under 500 passes. Wilson also has a large number of sacks for a mobile quarterback. He has to improve that in Denver.
It is fair to question whether the attacking plan and desire to run the ball in Seattle did not allow Wilson to “cook” in Seattle. It is possible that he has been held back in Seattle, and in Denver he will regain his status as a top quarterback. We will find out.
Breakout Player: One health Jerry Jeudy will be a key to Wilson’s success this season. Wilson loves to throw tear-deep passes to speed receivers who can win overhead. That’s Judy. That’s why the Broncos drafted him 15th overall in 2020. And in this offense, one that relies on a massive amount of play action and pocket moves, Jeudy will have plenty of chances. chance to run free in the opposing second place.
Prediction win or lose: I just didn’t get sold on this team’s 1st year switch. Prediction: 9-8.
I didn’t respect Derek Carr enough throughout his career, and that ends now. The Raiders’ back four raised his game and were good enough to lead a team to the knockout stages when things were falling apart around him, just like we saw last season. Now with new trainer Josh McDaniels, another weapon has been added Davante Adams to pair with Hunter Renfrow and Darren WallerThe foul actions of the Raid gamers have a chance to score tons of points.
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However, the line of attack can be a problem. It’s mostly unproven or meh everywhere outside the ball Kolton Miller. There are concerns that Carr may not have the protection needed to hit these weapons.
Defense, Raiders added Chandler Jonesmatch him with Maxx Crosby to form one of the best hurdles duet in the NFL. That pairing will need to be elite as the rest of the defence isn’t all that inspiring. In Vegas there is hope that the Raiders’ high school youth, which is mainly composed of players drafted in 2019 and up, can improve as they age. It will be necessary to protect past breaches in this department.
Power: Reception group. Adams is an elite receiver who will be tasked with making the Raiders attack more vertical. After Henry Ruggs was dropped from the roster, a game of difficult vertical passes that no one could stop to safety. This is where Adams can help open up the air for Carr and McDaniels.
Breakout Player: Rock Ya Sin was drafted in the second round by Colts in 2019 will be a lock corner. He played well in his rookie season, taking a step back in his second year and finishing last season in 21st place as assessed by Pro Football Focus. The Raiders need Ya Sin as their defensive rock this season with talent in the AFC West. Ya Sin can help shift focus and help other sub-team members, which will greatly improve this defense being able to get some stops.
Prediction win or lose: The problems with attack and defense of the pass worry me in this squad. Carr played well, but those units cost the Raiders a playoff spot. Prediction: 8-9.
Geoff Schwartz is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He played eight seasons in the NFL for five different teams. He started playing in the right place for the University of Oregon for three seasons and was second in the All-Pac-12 group during his senior year. Follow him on Twitter @Geoff Schwartz.
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