2018 Season NFL Preview: AFC West

The AFC West is one of the toughest divisions to win every year. That is why no team has ever dominated for a long time in this division. This year two groups, the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs decided on new signal callers. Los Angeles Chargers have had the same quarterback for years, but never get to the next level. The Oakland Raiders have a familiar face back to coach in Jon Gruden and hopes he can bring back David Carr to the successful Carr of past. Who will win the division? Your guess is as good as ours.

---

Denver Broncos

Von Miller might be the happiest player this season, maybe the happiest person in all of Denver. When the Broncos got edge rusher Bradley Chubb with the 5th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Miller was probably somewhere salivating on what his new partner in crime could do for Miller. This tandem could become a legit threat on edge and become one of the best tandems in the league. The Trevor Siemien and Paxton Lynch era seem to be over in Denver. In comes Case Keenum, who might be another over-hyped quarterback. The pressure will be sky high for Keenum because the Broncos haven't had an auspicious time at quarterback since Payton Manning retired. The optimism lies in the other quarterback that will back up Keenum. Chad Kelly is the nephew of former Bills Great and Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly. Mr Irrelevant of 2017 Draft will be relied on if Keenum struggles.

Strengths: The Broncos edge rushers are the biggest strengths of this team. The duo of Chubb and Miller will be a matchup nightmare for opponents. Both have different styles of rushing so that they will compliment each other well. Good luck to the other quarterbacks when facing the Broncos defence. Wide receivers on the Broncos are a massive strength. If Keenum can play as he did in Minnesota last year, both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders could have big years. The dark horse in this receiving core is rookie Courtland Sutton. Sutton has looked impressive and might have a great rookie year for the Broncos. The running back committee with Devante Booker and Royce Freeman is a tremendous asset to the Broncos. The main strength is Freeman; he could be a dark horse for the Offensive Rookie of the Year this season. As long as the offensive line group can make some decent holes, this Broncos rookie Freeman can do the rest. The Broncos defence consists of top NFL players in Brandon Marshall, Brandon Roby, and Chris Harris Jr. Newly acquired diva punter Marquette King will be a dangerous weapon to have that a lot of other NFL teams don't strive to get. Having King and Brandon McManus as your kickers are tops in the league in that position and both can be used very well by special teams coach Tom McMahon.

Weakness: The biggest flaw I see for this Broncos team is at the tight end position. There are no big names in the tight end position, where Jeff Heuerman seems to be the projected starter. Rookie Troy Fumagalli could be the next one up if Heuerman struggles. The quarterback situation in Denver is still not solidified. The Broncos are hoping that Case Keenum is the real deal and last year was not a fluke. Keenum had a great team around him in Minnesota that maybe the team has more to do with why he was successful. After Keenum though the Broncos are hoping on Mr Irrelevant Chad Kelly and Paxton Lynch, yes that same Paxton Lynch. Not an impressive group for the Broncos at the quarterback position. The offensive line is weak for the Broncos, which could result in more sacks this year. Jared Veldheer a 9-year veteran will have to bring this young group together to protect the quarterbacks.

Players to Watch: Von Miller (Edge), Bradley Chubb (Edge), Troy Fumagalli (TE), and Royce Freeman (RB)

Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes

Alex Smith is a very consistent quarterback who made the Kansas City Chiefs offence very consistent. Head coach Andy Reid decided this year that constant is not what they want anymore. In comes Patrick Mahomes, the 2nd-year quarterback who showed much promise in his rookie year. Even though Mahomes showcased that promise last year in the preseason, it was enough for coach Reid to make the change. This year has been different for Mahomes as he has struggled hard all throughout camp. Did coach Reid make this change a bit early, will the Chiefs regret the decision of letting Alex Smith go. Mahomes has the weapons and a good defence behind him. In the end, the Chiefs success lies in Mahomes hands and hope head coach Andy Reid does not regret his decision.

Strengths: The defence of the Chiefs is outstanding, led by Justin Houston, Dee Ford, Chris Jones, Eric Berry, and Daniel Sorenson. Add in cornerback Kyle Fuller and this Chiefs team can do some damage as we found out in past years. If Mahomes can't perform this year, we can only blame him for the list of offensive weapon that Mahomes has access to is stunning. Kareem Hunt, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Spencer Ware, and Chanderick West all return to the Chiefs. Added in the summer were wide receiver Sammy Watkins and rookie Demarcus Robinson, and former Miami Dolphins running back Damien Williams to the core.

Weakness: The linebackers on the Chiefs are a little suspect. Newcomer Anthony Hitchens was Excellent in Dallas, but can he be the guy consistently in Kansas City. Former 1st round pick Reggie Ragland joins Hitchens as the glue guys in the linebacker position. The linebackers will be a significant test for the Chiefs as this tandem is the weakest on defence and might get burnt a few times. Injuries are a big always a big concern with the Chiefs year after year. You already have Daniel Sorenson and Eric Berry nursing injuries. Dee Ford only played six games last year. This Chiefs team is known to hit the injury bug and has lost of man-games to injuries. The Chiefs brought in Sammy Watkins, Anthony Hitchens, and Reggie Ragland. Go figure!

Players to Watch: Patrick Mahomes (QB), Dee Ford (LB), Anthony Hitchens (LB), and Demarcus Robinson (WR)

Los Angeles Chargers

Philip Rivers

Could this be the year? The Los Angeles Chargers team looks as complete as ever. The Chargers have been building this team for some time, the only familiar face that has stayed is Philip Rivers. Rivers is the face, the life, and the glue of the Charger franchise. He has been a productive quarterback for a long time. This season could be the year, and San Diego doesn't even get to see it.

Strengths: Let us start with the face of the franchise Philip Rivers. Rivers has been one of the most prolific passers of his generation, yet he never seems to get over the hump. This Chargers team is the best team fielded since Rivers started his career. The offensive line on the Chargers is top quality. Names like Mike Pouncey, Russell Okung, will lead young, up and coming guards in the league like Scott Quessenberry. The Charges receiving core lead by Keenan Allen is fantastic. Allen is a top 5 wide receiver in the league when he is healthy. Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams, and Mike Williams will round out one of the best receiving corps in the NFL. Melvin Gordon will lead the backfield for the Chargers. The beast we call Gordon will have another strong campaign. This play calling will make the job easier for Philip Rivers, who likes to throw the ball. Having a solid run game will open up the passing game. A healthy and pounding Gordon will have his way with defences again this year. The stacked Chargers defence led by the best edge tandem in the league in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. This duo will give nightmares to opposing quarterbacks as they did in the previous years. Corey Liuget and Brandon Mebane are rounding out the front four; this could be one of the best front fours in the league. The linebackers will welcome back Denzel Perryman after injuries last year. He will anchor an underrated linebacking group. Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward and rookie standout Derwin James will anchor the strong secondary. Casey Hayward will also be a great role model and tutor for James. Derwin James will be the playmaker that the Chargers have been dying for since Eric Weddle left for greener pastures. The coaching staff in Los Angeles is strong. Coordinators on the Chargers are some of the best minds in football. Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt has been with Rivers and the offence for a few years. If the weapons are healthy, then Whisenhunt is a mastermind and can work much magic with the attack in Los Angeles. Add to that the defensive mind of Gus Bradley. The former defensive coordinator of the mighty Seattle Seahawks and former head coach of Jacksonville will use the Chargers defence to blow up offences the way he did in Seattle. This job makes head coach Anthony Lynn's job much easier when you have two former successful coaches taking care of some great playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Weakness: Is there a weakness in the Chargers of 2018? Yes, it is at the tight end position. They lost Hunter Henry to injury and currently have Virgil Green as a replacement. Green is dependable, but he is no Hunter Henry. If they struggle in that position could they call their greatest tight end in team history back? Injuries to players come to mind with the Chargers. While Rivers has been mostly healthy, his comrades have not. Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Hunter Henry all have had significant injuries in the last couple of years. Chargers need to be a healthy team to be the best they can be. The mental aspect of the game has been hard for the Chargers for years. Anytime the Chargers get to the playoffs or any big game something goes wrong. The Chargers need to find ways to win those games, and it starts with Philip Rivers. The more Rivers controls his emotions during those games, the more the team will succeed. Speaking of hurting himself, the Chargers might want to consider getting a better backup to Rivers just in case he does get hurt. The names Geno Smith and Cardale Jones won't help just in case Rivers has an injury.

Players to Watch: Derwin Jones (S), Mike Williams (WR), Denzel Perryman (LB), and Joey Bosa (Edge)

Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr

What happened to the Oakland Raiders? Is the move to Las Vegas in a couple of years affecting them? Who played quarterback last year, Derek Carr or David Carr? Is Khalil Mack going to be Raider still or is he going to be traded? Is Jon Gruden ready to make a mark on this team? The Raiders have so many question marks right now that it might just result in the Raiders struggling this year.

Strengths: Receivers are where the Raiders strength lies. The Carr of old might be back or not, but his catching threesome of Amari Cooper, Martavius Bryant, and Jordy Nelson will help Derek Carr a lot. The receivers are all capable playmakers at the position. Running backs Marshawn Lynch, and newcomer Doug Martin lead a decent backfield that is helped by Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington to round it out. Bruce Irvin, Tahir Whitehead, Derrick Johnson, Rashaan Melvin, and Karl Joseph will admirably try to provide some pressure on the defence, but without Khalil Mack that might be a problem.

Weakness: Jon Gruden is a weakness. The times have changed for the coach of old, the "my way or no way" doesn't work as it used to. Gruden's second tenure with the Raiders could be a regretful one. Gruden could destroy the Raiders and put them back many years. Khalil Mack not being at camp, in my opinion, is concerning. If they do trade Mack, it will be a significant loss for the Raiders and will only weaken the defence in the long run. The special team's duo is also very concerning for the Raiders; they have a rookie kicker Eddy Pineiro and rookie punter Jonny Townsend as projected starters. Marquette King was an actual weapon, but his antics didn't sit well with Gruden and was released. Might be a long year!

Players to Watch: Johnny Townsend (P), Derek Carr (QB), Jordy Nelson (WR), and Maurice Hurst (DT)