2019 NFL predictions: How will the AFC shake out?
AFC West
- Kansas City 12-4
- Los Angeles Chargers 11-5
- Denver 7-9
- Oakland 5-11
The Kansas City Chiefs had the most exciting offense in the NFL last season, primarily because of Patrick Mahomes’ incredible MVP season. While natural regression should hit Mahomes this season, he is undoubtedly still one of the premier quarterbacks in the entire NFL.
Losing Kareem Hunt wasn’t an issue for the Chiefs, as Damien Williams stepped up well in his absence. Having Tyreek Hill, one of the fastest players in the league along with Travis Kelce at tight end, doesn’t short Mahomes for options in the passing game.
The defense should be improved with the acquisitions of Frank Clark and Tyrann Mathieu, a unit that was in the bottom of the league last year. For the Chiefs to be able to beat the Patriots and have a chance at the Super Bowl, they need their defense to perform better and the offense to come out swinging like last year.
The Chargers’ time table for a Super Bowl run is running short with a 37-year-old Philip Rivers leading the way. He may try to play until his mid-40s like Tom Brady, but that is unlikely. The status of star running back Melvin Gordon is also a major question for the Chargers this season.
The defense is loaded with talent all over the field. Most notably, Derwin James is one of the best safeties in the NFL and Joey Bosa one of the best defensive ends. The Chargers could easily have a top-five offense and defense next year and be one of the few favorites to make a run in the AFC.
The Broncos are moving on from the Case Keenum experience after one season and traded for former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Flacco from the Ravens. Flacco is an upgrade at the position and may be their best quarterback since Peyton Manning. Phillip Lindsay was a fantastic find last year, going from undrafted to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season.
The Broncos defensive unit that once was elite has since not found its way back to the top yet. While the Broncos should have more win totals next year, I can’t see them surpassing the Chiefs or the Chargers.
The Raiders now have the attention on them with the Hard Knocks show to the Antonio Brown debacle, meaning its never a dull moment for Raiders Nation. With that being said, if Derek Carr doesn’t perform well this season, Jon Gruden will likely look to the 2020 NFL Draft for his future quarterback.
Gruden will move out any player he deems doesn’t fit well with his team, regardless if the player is elite. This team is in full rebuild mode with the moves Gruden has made and I don’t see them winning any more games than they did the previous year.