and 2024 NFL regular season Soon, teams across the league will be making the tough decision to trim their rosters in order to have 53 players to start the year with Super Bowl dreams.
But with only a limited number of playoff spots to secure, teams will likely be fighting to win their division or at least secure a wild-card spot.
Colin Cowherd of FOX Sports Before training camp began, we made some predictions about how each division would rank, and using those rankings, we'll provide a breakdown of each team in each division, followed by the AFC West.
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Patrick Mahomes, wearing number 15 for the Kansas City Chiefs, looks for an open receiver during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Ullitt/Getty Images)
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Colin says: “Until further notice, Kansas City. They've won eight straight division championships. Best coach in football, best quarterback. They know it.”
The Chiefs are a different league in the division, but they won their division for the eighth straight year last year and have continued to dominate their rivals since making consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
What everyone will be talking about is whether this team can become the first in league history to win the Lombardi Trophy three years in a row, not whether they're that good and therefore will necessarily win the division.
But the first order of business is winning nine straight games to get back to the playoffs.
NFC WEST BREAKDOWN: What will happen to this division this NFL season?
Key additions: WR Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown
Sure, the Chiefs won a Super Bowl, but there were times during the 2023 regular season when there were big questions about Patrick Mahomes' receiving ability, especially as a wide receiver.
Russie Rice played late in the regular season in his rookie year, but players like Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Justin Watson just couldn't get the job done. The Chiefs still found ways to win games, but when dropped passes or bad routes cost them in games, it left head coach Andy Reid, Mahomes and Chiefs fans scratching their heads.
Kansas City Chiefs No. 1 wide receiver Xavier Worthy participates in an OTA offseason workout at the University of Kansas Health System Training Complex on May 22, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The hope is that the additions of speedy rookie Worthie and dynamic receiver Brown will give Mahomes better options this time around.
The biggest question: Third time's a charm?
Like I said, this is a Super Bowl issue, not a division issue.
If the Chiefs don't make the playoffs, it would be the biggest shock to the NFL because they have a deeper roster than they did last season and are in line to win.
Mahomes has been making history since arriving in the league with Kansas City, and that's all the team has in mind this year as they look to win a third consecutive Super Bowl.
Week 1: vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sept. 5, 8:15 p.m.)
2. Los Angeles Chargers
Colin says: “I think the Chargers are limited on the perimeter… in my opinion, they could make a move. I'd pick them second.”
Now, Cowherd made these predictions before the regular season began, predicting that the Chargers would make a move to acquire San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk amid a contract dispute, and if that is resolved, Los Angeles could look elsewhere for a wide receiver before the trade deadline.
But Jim Harbaugh's return to the NFL has been one of the biggest stories this year, as he looks to turn the Chargers' tide in 2023 after a dismal 5-12 season.
Although everything is new for the Chargers, there are plenty of teams in the division they can beat besides the Chiefs and they have a chance to slip into the playoffs if all goes well.
Key addition: WR Ladd McConkey
The addition of Harbaugh is certainly a big addition, but looking at the roster, there may be no player more important to the receiving game than the team's second-round pick, Ladd McConkey.
With the departure of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, head coach Justin Herbert's top two options on the perimeter the past few seasons, someone needs to step up at the receiver position. The Chargers have Joshua Palmer on the roster and added DJ Chark in free agency, but McConkey is a player who has garnered attention in training camp.
The farm-variety route runner had a great career at Georgia and could now be Herbert's safety anchor in this new offensive line under OC Greg Roman.
Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers stands at the podium before an NFL football practice at Hoag Performance Center on June 13, 2024 in Costa Mesa, California. (Rick Tapia/Getty Images)
The big question: Is Harbaugh the right man for the job?
He's coming off an undefeated, national championship-winning season with the Michigan Wolverines and joins a roster with questions at multiple positions, but some believe he has what it takes to make an AFC wild-card run.
First, Herbert is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL. Second, the additions of Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are a great fit for the run-heavy team that Harbaugh prefers. On defense, players like Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Derwin James Jr. make for a solid team that can play together as a unit.
Harbaugh has leadership qualities that are well known wherever he has coached. Can he build the Chargers into a powerhouse again, or will it take time? The Chargers signed him to a long-term contract, but he wants to see success soon.
NFC East breakdown: What will the division look like in the 2024 NFL season?
Week 1: vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sept. 8, 4:05 p.m.)
3. Denver Broncos
Colin says: “I like the Broncos better than Vegas, [Pro Football Focus] say [the] This is the worst lineup in the league.”
Sean Payton waged a serious quarterback battle this training camp and won the battle, proving that Bo Nix, the 12th overall pick, was worthy of the draft pick.
But do the Knicks have what it takes to turn around the Broncos' offense? Is the roster as a whole good enough to compete in 2024? The Broncos will find out the answers to those questions soon.
Bo Nix, wearing No. 10 for the Denver Broncos, throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during a preseason game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on August 18, 2024. (Jamie Schwabelow/Getty Images)
Notable addition: QB Bo Nix
The Russell Wilson era in Denver didn't last long, and the breakup was controversial as Payton was unable to advance the offense with him under center.
Nix emerged, finally healthy and putting up big numbers at Oregon. He competed with Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham for the starting spot but impressed Payton, who believes he gives Denver its best chance to win a championship in 2024.
Nicks has shown a penchant for making accurate plays anywhere on the field, fitting the ball into tight windows and possessing the arm strength to carry the ball downfield when he is open for a big play. Nicks completed 76.7% of his passes (23-of-30) in preseason practice, throwing for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
The big question: Is there enough talent on the roster?
The offense has a solid running back in Javonte Williams and a talented leading receiver in Courtland Sutton, but with a rookie quarterback and mediocre secondary options in the passing game, not many are high on the Broncos' offense in 2024.
Defensively, Denver has the best cornerback in the league in Pat Surtin II, but can the Broncos mount a good pass rush and contain Surtin on the outside in the secondary?
The Broncos are trying to build a team that can compete in the AFC, but that potential may not be realized this year.
Week 1: @ Seattle Seahawks (Sept. 8, 4:05 p.m.)
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Colin says: “The Raiders are No. 4. They have issues with their rookie coach and quarterback.”
The Raiders got a bit of a boost last season when Josh McDaniels was fired as head coach and Antonio Pierce was brought in on an interim basis.
Gardner Minshew, wearing No. 15 of the Las Vegas Raiders, attempts a pass during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Las Vegas. (Ian Mole/Getty Images)
Now, after a coaching search, Pierce has been named full-time head coach, stepping down from his interim role, and the team is looking to lift that spirits.
But Cowherd's quarterback question is whether Gardner Minshew, who was named the starter over second-year playmaker Aidan O'Connell, is more of a quality reserve than a true NFL starter, and with Davante Adams, Jacobi Myers and Brock Bowers in the fold, can the Raiders get the right production out of Minshew?
Key new additions: TE Brock Bowers
The Raiders' first-round pick showed off the skills of a modern tight end at the University of Georgia, dominating linebackers with his blocking game and being a player capable of making big catches no matter the down.
What Las Vegas needs are playmakers outside of Adams, and while there are running backs like Zamir White who will play key roles this season and Myers who made big plays last season, Brock Bowers could be a guy who can quickly find chemistry with Minshew at the short and intermediate levels to get first downs and score.
On paper, Bowers has visible highlight footage that suggests he can make an immediate impact for the Raiders, and his solid production will be essential if they want to make a deep playoff run.
The big question: Can Minshew keep his job?
One of the Raiders' main issues last season was the quarterback position, with Adams even admitting he wouldn't be happy if Jimmy Garoppolo wasn't on the bench.
The Raiders don't want to see the same thing happen this season, so it will depend on Minshew, who played very well for the Indianapolis Colts when rookie Anthony Richardson was sidelined for the season with a shoulder injury, keeping the quarterback position.
The AFC West has been dominated by the Kansas City Chiefs, but the new season brings new opportunities for each team. (Getty Images)
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Get the ball to Adams, who is always open and can use his feet to score first downs and short touchdowns, just like he did last season. Minshew has the talent, but what the Raiders really need is consistency.
Week 1: @ Los Angeles Chargers (Sept. 8, 4:05 p.m.)
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