Mark Cannizaro gives his AFC West outlook, and The Washington Post reports on the division-by-division breakdown ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
coach: Andy Reid
2023 Record: 11-6 | O/U Wins: 11.5
Main additions: QB Carson Wentz, WR Marquise Brown, WR Xavier Worthy, OT Kingsley Suamataia, TE Jared Wiley
Main starting points: QB Blaine Gabbert, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, RB Jerick McKinnon, RB Lamical Perine, LB Willie Gay, CB Rujarius Snead, S Mike Edwards
First and Goal: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Andy Reid, and Chris Jones. The core members of the team that won the Super Bowl twice are still there. The offensive power will be further strengthened by the addition of Brown and Worthy to the receivers. The defense will return almost intact, as All-Pro DT Jones signed a five-year contract worth $158.75 million in March. The biggest change is on the offensive side, where the Chiefs have worked hard to rebuild a team that had one of the least productive wide receiver corps in the NFL last season.
Force and Long: The Snead trade and Gay departure leave the Chiefs defense a little thin, but coordinator Steve Spagnuolo should never be taken lightly. But Spagnu is looking to improve on his team's 17 forced turnovers last season, which ranked 27th. Brown hurt his shoulder in the preseason opener and may not be ready for Week 1. WR Russie Rice's availability is also in question given his legal issues with Texas and a possible NFL suspension.
prediction: 13-5. Adding receivers will only make Mahomes even more great.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
coach: Jim Harbaugh
2023 Record: 5-12 | O/U Wins: 8.5
Main additions: RB Gus Edwards, RB JK Dobbins, WR DJ Chark Jr., TE Will Dissly, TE Hayden Hurst, DE Poona Ford, LB Denzel Perryman, LB Troy Dye, CB Kristian Fulton, S Tony Jefferson, OT Joe Alt, WR Ladd McConkie
Main retirees: RB Austin Ekeler, WR Keenan Allen, WR Mike Williams, WR Jalen Guyton, TE Nick Vannett, TE Gerald Everett, DE Austin Johnson, LB Eric Kendricks, LB Kenneth Murray, CB Michael Davis, CB Essun Bassey
First and Goal: Harbaugh will have to turn around a shaky team that was coached by Brandon Staley before he was fired, and based on past performance, his presence should lead to improved performance — assuming quarterback Justin Herbert is healthy.
Force and Long: The big question is how the Chargers fare under OC Greg Roman. Roman has had success with mobile QBs (Colin Kaepernick, Lamar Jackson), but Herbert is not one of them. Harbaugh was also a run-oriented coach at Michigan. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Defensively, the Chargers have a lot of room for improvement, finishing last season 28th in yards allowed (6,170) and 30th in passing yards allowed (4,246). The Chargers haven't won a division title since 2009 and only made the playoffs three times in former GM Tom Telesco's 10-plus seasons.
prediction: They're 10-7. With Harbaugh replacing Staley and Herbert healthy, the Chargers could be the most improved team in the league this season.
3. Las Vegas Raiders
coach: Antonio Pierce
2023 Record: 8-9 | O/U Wins: 6.5
Main additions: QB Gardner Minshew, RB Alexander Mattison, TE Harrison Bryant, DT Christian Wilkins, TE Brock Bowers, G Jackson-Powers-Johnson
Main starting points: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, RB Josh Jacobs, WR Hunter Renfroe, WR DeAndre Carter, TE Austin Hooper, DE Bilal Nichols, DE Jerry Tillery, CB Amick Robertson, CB Tyler Hall
First and Goal: The Raiders went 5-4 since Pierce was hired, and that's no coincidence. Pierce is a breath of fresh air. Under Pierce, the Raiders averaged 22.9 points per game, a marked improvement from the 15.8 points scored under former head coach Josh McDaniels. The Raiders hope the addition of wide receivers Davante Adams and Bowers will help bolster an offense that was 27th in total yards last season.
Force and Long: The Raiders have one of the most shaky quarterback situations in the league. Aidan O'Connell and Minshew are serviceable but underwhelming. Jacobs' departure creates an opportunity for Zamir White to step in as the lead back, despite his inexperience and limited involvement in the passing game.
prediction: 9 wins, 8 losses. The team's mediocre record is likely a reflection of the mediocre quarterback they have on their roster.
4. Denver Broncos
coach: Sean Payton
2023 Record: 8-9 | O/U Wins: 5.5
Main additions: QB Zach Wilson, WR Josh Reynolds, DE John Franklin-Myers, NT Malcolm Roach, LB Cody Barton, CB Levi Wallace, QB Bo Nix
Main starting points: QB Russell Wilson, WR Jerry Jeudy, C Lloyd Cushenberry III, TE Chris Manharts, DT Jonathan Harris, LB Georgie Jewell, S Justin Simmons, CB Fabian Moreau
First and Goal: The No. 12 overall pick has been performing well this summer, forcing Payton to make him the starter. The entire season will hinge on his development, and Denver fans can't wait to see him improve after Wilson's disappointment last season.
Force and Long: The Broncos' skill position players don't pose much of a threat to the defense, which could hinder the Knicks' development. With Jeudy traded, Courtland Sutton is the top receiver. Returning running back Javonte Williams was the primary running back last season, but he only averaged 3.6 yards per run and had injury issues. The Broncos' roster is thin in part due to a $53 million dead cap charge following Wilson's release. They also lost a lot of leadership with the departures of Simmons, Cushenberry and Jewell.
prediction: 6-11. The Broncos took a step back by trying to develop the Knicks without a strong supporting cast.
