AFC West Roundup

[cdumler7]

Count me among the guys who thought the Raiders were overrated as well. Those one score games were going to even out eventually and that defense is still atrocious by all indications. MAJOR whiff on the Broncos and Chargers for me thus far, however.

The Raiders had all the makings of a team that would get hyped up by people and never live up to the billing. So many issues that were overshadowed by the fact that they won 12 games last year. All people kept looking at is having Carr and that OL while also adding Lynch to the offense. Well Carr has been decent but not elite and Lynch has been one of the worst starting RB's in the NFL so far this year. And yeah that defense when they didn't add anything hardly in FA and were depending on 2nd year players to step up and rookies to play a big role on the team it was setting up for them to really struggle.

 

[Clayton]

I knew Jared Cook on the Raiders would bring me joy but I didnt realize it would happen so soon. Ravens stripped him and returned a fumble for a TD early on last Sunday to jump out 14-0. Maybe its not his fault but those type of things always happen to him.

 

[iknowftbll]

Chargers pull even with the Raiders at 2-4. Chiefs fall at home but at 5-1 will retain sole possession of 1st place regardless of what the Broncos do tonight. So far a good day in the AFC West. Now the Broncos have to do their part!

 

[Orange Crush77]

 

[iknowftbll]

How bad does last weeks 20-17 loss to the Bengals feel now that the Chiefs are 6-5? This division free for the taking but the Broncos May have derped their way out of the running.

 

[SpringStein]

Best team in division currently? Chargers easily.

 

[iknowftbll]

Overturned Booker’s TD and then the pick...

 

[Duffman]

That’s the kind of unlucky season Denver is having, a TD talen away and then a fluky INT.

 

[iknowftbll]

That’s the kind of unlucky season Denver is having, a TD talen away and then a fluky INT.

True. We’ve had a lot of those along the way this year.

 

[iknowftbll]

The final AFC West standings:

Chiefs: 10-6
Chargers: 9-7
Raiders: 6-10
Broncos: 5-11

I realize the off season hasn’t even truly begun but I’m going to make an early prediction on 2018: look for the Chargers to emerge as the favorite to win the division.

The Chiefs are likely breaking in a new QB and have issues on defense. There may be some growing pains as they adjust and nobody should be surprised to see them post somewhere around a 7-9 finish.

The raiders are transitioning to a new HC. There will be a lot of changes that come with this but they are going to need to really elevate their level of play across the board for them to be any better than 8-8.

The Broncos will also be breaking in a new QB and may not be as strong on defense next year as they were this year. Musgrave as the OC is the most promising move so far but there is a lot of work to do here. And 8-8 finish with a rookie QB would have to be considered a successful season from where we sit.

That brings us to the Chargers. They are neither transitioning at HC nor QB, two vital positions. They have a really good defense and the best QB in the division. They overcame an 0-4 start as they broke in the new team. I doubt they start so slow again. Between playing a full season and what appears to be a compromised slate of division rivals, the Chargers look like an 11-5 team waiting to happen.

 

[MileHigh64]

The final AFC West standings:

Chiefs: 10-6
Chargers: 9-7
Raiders: 6-10
Broncos: 5-11

I realize the off season hasn’t even truly begun but I’m going to make an early prediction on 2018: look for the Chargers to emerge as the favorite to win the division.

The Chiefs are likely breaking in a new QB and have issues on defense. There may be some growing pains as they adjust and nobody should be surprised to see them post somewhere around a 7-9 finish.

The raiders are transitioning to a new HC. There will be a lot of changes that come with this but they are going to need to really elevate their level of play across the board for them to be any better than 8-8.

The Broncos will also be breaking in a new QB and may not be as strong on defense next year as they were this year. Musgrave as the OC is the most promising move so far but there is a lot of work to do here. And 8-8 finish with a rookie QB would have to be considered a successful season from where we sit.

That brings us to the Chargers. They are neither transitioning at HC nor QB, two vital positions. They have a really good defense and the best QB in the division. They overcame an 0-4 start as they broke in the new team. I doubt they start so slow again. Between playing a full season and what appears to be a compromised slate of division rivals, the Chargers look like an 11-5 team waiting to happen.

Great analytical approach to this, as always iknow. I truly believe that the disparity from top to bottom in the AFC West is so slim that all four teams have a shot at winning the division. Right now and for me, 2018 has all of the AFC West teams at 8-8 with even splits within the division. Wouldn't that suck!

 

[iknowftbll]

Great analytical approach to this, as always iknow. I truly believe that the disparity from top to bottom in the AFC West is so slim that all four teams have a shot at winning the division. Right now and for me, 2018 has all of the AFC West teams at 8-8 with even splits within the division. Wouldn't that suck!

That would be almost like 2011 again! Three teams at 8-8 and one 7-9. Broncos were 1-1 against each but I don’t remember how the other teams split. I’ll say this: I’d rather be 8-8 and win a weak division than 9-7 and miss the playoffs!

 

[58crash]

Such low expectations ... Damn

 

[58crash]

Starting a Rookie we might not win a game .

 

[58crash]

Best team in division currently? Chargers easily.

...They have always been the best team in the division ... They always are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better that there record 4-4 at half way point with Rivers as there QB... The Chargers are the best 3-5 team ever they will find a way to climb into the play offs .. is always there opening to a game when we play them . There Owner sucks as a team owner .