LogFAQs > #937478921

AFC West Prediction

1. Oakland Raiders
2. Denver Broncos
3. Washington Hawks
4. Kansas City Chiefs

God, how do I choose between the Broncos and Raiders? The only differences in their schedule (aside from home/away common games) are that the Broncos face the Bengals (home) and Pioneers (away) while the Raiders face the Ravens (home) and Jaguars (away). Though I suspect most would think that the Raiders without a doubt have the tougher pair of the two, I think it is a wash. The Raiders helped themselves the most during the offseason for this season with adding DT Babatunde Oshinow through free agency and DE Dee Ford and CB Trae Waynes through the draft. The Broncos were better at adding depth with a look to the future, but they did grab #1 WR Tavon Austin in RFA and #1 CB in Kevin Johnson through the draft. The Broncos are easily the more talented team, and crucial injuries last season on offense is probably the only reason they missed out on the final wildcard, but I can't help but think losing FB Brian Leonard and WR Keary Colbert, the former especially, to retirement will make the difference.

Last season, the AFC West had three teams with double digit wins and Top 10 Os and Ds (they also should have had three in the playoffs). Given their significantly more difficult schedules on paper, it is almost certain at least one team is going to see a decent drop-off (record-wise at least), and the Hawks are my pick. That might be surprising given that they are running back the same starting squad with the exception of 1st round pick Connor McGovern taking over at RG while the other teams have more turnover. Once again, schedule isn't the reason why I am choosing them over the Broncos/Raiders because it is tough for all of them (for the record, the Hawks play the Steelers at home and Colts on the road for their schedule differences). I just feel like many players had career years last season that it isn't reasonable to expect everything to align just right in consecutive seasons. Now they won 12 games last season. They are certainly capable of matching that this season, but I think they will drop down to around 8-9 wins, which is still good given the circumstances and squarely puts them into the wild card conversation. I just don't think they will win the AFC West.

Relative to their draft position, It's hard to argue against anyone else having a more disappointing draft than the Chiefs. They also had a opportunity to be a big player in free agency, but they went into directions that I wouldn't have if I was in charge of the team. Given they are probably the biggest losers of the schedules this season, they will need Ebukam, their free agent class, and any starter worth something to pull their weight to not just prevent another wasted season but to avoid a second straight and third overall #1 pick in the draft.
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KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
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