Who wins the AFC West this year?

[UK Cowboy]

I think the Hill trade is really gonna hurt KC. They got back a haul, but the thing is, for the way Reid likes to play, Hill was the perfect player. No one player could check him, sometimes two couldn't. Add in a double for Kelce and everyone else was manned up with one less run defender to boot. It's also why Mahomes had such an easy time anytime he ran the football. That's all gone. I've heard people say they can sign this FA WR or draft that WR, but that's like trying to replace Randy Moss. It'll never be the same

 

[Tomhusker]

As long ss Mahomes stays healthy the Chiefs will be at the top

 

[fishinabarrel]

Yeah, my thinking too. The defense is the big thing. I think they might be good enough but hard to say. I also think we need to see what McDaniel brings. Good offensive mind but tbd on the HC part. Did he learn from past mistakes or not?

I'll be much more comfortable with the defense if they can land one of the stars they are trying to get in the defensive backfield.

McDaniels is a wild card but this is his second go so I'm hoping he has learned a few things a long the way.

 

[Clayton]

I think we're all being programmed to believe in the Chargers.... But they'll need a good return on their FA investments and their coach still has to prove himself. Tough to do in a division with Andy Reid - Guy has won 12 division titles in his career. Oh, and they still have Mahomes.

I figure if you're an AFC West fan then your expectation is that the Chargers will find a way to blow it.

That's what they do. They always get hyped in the off-season.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

I figure if you're an AFC West fan then your expectation is that the Chargers will find a way to blow it.

That's what they do. They always get hyped in the off-season.

They are always hyped because people always see the talent they have. A little like the Cowboys in that regard with the same elephant in the room, coaching mistakes.

 

[DJ Fieri]

The only proven HC in the West is Reid.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I figure if you're an AFC West fan then your expectation is that the Chargers will find a way to blow it.

That's what they do. They always get hyped in the off-season.

That is why I'm not buying them just yet

 

[Black Adam]

That is why I'm not buying them just yet

Til proven otherwise it IS a good point I'll admit...

 

[Clayton]

They are always hyped because people always see the talent they have. A little like the Cowboys in that regard with the same elephant in the room, coaching mistakes.

There are some things to like about the Chargers obviously. Herbert, probably the 2nd best oline in the AFCW, maybe the 2nd best defense if their Free Agents work out.

Keenan Allen is going to be 30. Mike Williams is coming off a career year. Chargers skill players after those two aren't that great. Imo, to be the favorite in the West they need one more good player on offense. Or their defense needs to transform into a top 10 defense. I think both scenarios are in play but I'd have to actually see it happen to believe it.

Gerald Everett seems like a wild card for them. Seems like he had his best season last year. If he is replacing Jared Cook then he'll get more targets as a Charger.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

There are some things to like about the Chargers obviously. Herbert, probably the 2nd best oline in the AFCW, maybe the 2nd best defense if their Free Agents work out.

Keenan Allen is going to be 30. Mike Williams is coming off a career year. Chargers skill players after those two aren't that great. Imo, to be the favorite in the West they need one more good player on offense. Or their defense needs to transform into a top 10 defense. I think both scenarios are in play but I'd have to actually see it happen to believe it.

Gerald Everett seems like a wild card for them. Seems like he had his best season last year. If he is replacing Jared Cook then he'll get more targets as a Charger.

Yeah, they have players and every team has holes here or there but Staley can't make the same blunders he did last year or they are still just a talented roster with a very good young QB watching other teams play in the big games.
Having Andy Reid at the helm puts the Chiefs ahead of everybody until one of the other teams knocks them off, imo. Mahomes is obviously uber talented but the difference in him and Herbert is slight. Coaching still matters and we will see what Hackett, McDaniel and Staley do but they have a lot to prove yet.

 

[fishinabarrel]

There are some things to like about the Chargers obviously. Herbert, probably the 2nd best oline in the AFCW, maybe the 2nd best defense if their Free Agents work out.

Keenan Allen is going to be 30. Mike Williams is coming off a career year. Chargers skill players after those two aren't that great. Imo, to be the favorite in the West they need one more good player on offense. Or their defense needs to transform into a top 10 defense. I think both scenarios are in play but I'd have to actually see it happen to believe it.

Gerald Everett seems like a wild card for them. Seems like he had his best season last year. If he is replacing Jared Cook then he'll get more targets as a Charger.

I seem to remember then struggling last year against the run on defense but when you look at their actual stats, it isn't that bad

 

[Fountain City Blues]

I figure if you're an AFC West fan then your expectation is that the Chargers will find a way to blow it.

That's what they do. They always get hyped in the off-season.

The 21st century Chargers are just one big psy-op, tbh.

 

[PDay8810]

I admit it, all these KC fans worried is entertaining

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

I admit it, all these KC fans worried is entertaining

Are they really worried though (at least the intelligent ones that are not just fantasy dorks and TikTok idiots)? They have one of the best centers in the league who is young/cheap, Brown Jr. is franchised, so the OL should still be decent. They still have Kelce who can be released at any time... and still the best young QB in the league who can be cut after the next 3 years for basically nothing (not sure why they would, but injuries, etc.).

So IMO their offense really doesn't take a blow. And when you have a QB like Mahomes and a coach like Reid, IMO you don't need to be blowing $30M per year on a wide receiver. Just go draft some talent (which they now have ammo to do) and let your stud QB and offensive HC guru make it work.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Are they really worried though (at least the intelligent ones that are not just fantasy dorks and TikTok idiots)? They have one of the best centers in the league who is young/cheap, Brown Jr. is franchised, so the OL should still be decent. They still have Kelce who can be released at any time... and still the best young QB in the league who can be cut after the next 3 years for basically nothing (not sure why they would, but injuries, etc.).

So IMO their offense really doesn't take a blow. And when you have a QB like Mahomes and a coach like Reid, IMO you don't need to be blowing $30M per year on a wide receiver. Just go draft some talent (which they now have ammo to do) and let your stud QB and offensive HC guru make it work.

Yeah, I don't think we're melting down. Still some moves to make in terms of FA's this year and then the draft.

KC will be fine. Likely in the playoffs and is favored to win the division. 3rd in SB odds.

Lot of people would like to be the Chiefs right now.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Yeah, I don't think we're melting down. Still some moves to make in terms of FA's this year and then the draft.

KC will be fine. Likely in the playoffs and is favored to win the division. 3rd in SB odds.

Lot of people would like to be the Chiefs right now.

Agreed. Lot of people forgot they signed Schuster as well. Schuster has dropped off the map as of late, but so has Rotehltelirsbertger and the Steelers. There's no questioning Schuster's talent and with Mahomes/Reid he can easily make a rebound.

Can he replace Hill? Eh, possibly, and that's something. Add to that the Chiefs now have 2 1sts and 2 2nds in this years draft with a pretty decent WR class (especially in the 2nd round) and the trade makes sense.

 

[shopson67]

Agreed. Lot of people forgot they signed Schuster as well. Schuster has dropped off the map as of late, but so has Rotehltelirsbertger and the Steelers. There's no questioning Schuster's talent and with Mahomes/Reid he can easily make a rebound.

Can he replace Hill? Eh, possibly, and that's something. Add to that the Chiefs now have 2 1sts and 2 2nds in this years draft with a pretty decent WR class (especially in the 2nd round) and the trade makes sense.

JuJu dropped off the radar because he missed 12 games last year and only caught 15 passes. not because of Ben. He had other offers last year but came back to Pittsburgh.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

JuJu dropped off the radar because he missed 12 games last year and only caught 15 passes. not because of Ben. He had other offers last year but came back to Pittsburgh.

Well yes, but 2019 and 2020 he kind of dropped a bit as well. I know he's battled injury, but just not quite as productive as his first couple years (of course when Ben was younger).

 

[shopson67]

Well yes, but 2019 and 2020 he kind of dropped a bit as well. I know he's battled injury, but just not quite as productive as his first couple years (of course when Ben was younger).

His role changed too, as Dionte and Claypool were drawing more targets.

 

[PDay8810]

Are they really worried though (at least the intelligent ones that are not just fantasy dorks and TikTok idiots)? They have one of the best centers in the league who is young/cheap, Brown Jr. is franchised, so the OL should still be decent. They still have Kelce who can be released at any time... and still the best young QB in the league who can be cut after the next 3 years for basically nothing (not sure why they would, but injuries, etc.).

So IMO their offense really doesn't take a blow. And when you have a QB like Mahomes and a coach like Reid, IMO you don't need to be blowing $30M per year on a wide receiver. Just go draft some talent (which they now have ammo to do) and let your stud QB and offensive HC guru make it work.

Oh I agree with your overall synopsis with regards to the talent in KC and nobody needs to remind me of Mahomes special gifts. The fans are clearly worried (insert your word of choice). Social media exploded yesterday and what else is the organization going to say? Everything is fine. Fans from other teams in the AFC see the benchmark team has weakened. Shithead who will certainly fail in South Beach or not...Hill had a skill like few others I've seen in my years of watching this game. That can never be taught. HUGE Playmaker with any NFL QB. Does not matter who made who, Hill's impact on defenses can not be understated.