2016 AFC West Preview

After a week of going around the league, we've finally come to the end. The NFL season officially kicks off tomorrow as we seek to crown a new Super Bowl champion.

As has been my tradition, I've alternated conferences and worked my way around the country until I close with the division that houses the defending champion. That means I close with the AFC West and the defending champion Broncos.

So, one final time, if you're looking for something else to do this football season in addition to rooting for your team and your fantasy players, you can join my and Adam Quinn's ESPN Pigskin Pick 'Em group. We will have our Week 1 picks available for you tomorrow.

So with that out of the way, let's finish this off.


AFC West

Common opponents on schedule: AFC South, NFC South

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2015: 11-5 (2nd), lost in AFC Divisional Round
Well, the old wide receiver touchdown monkey is off their backs, so KC has a balanced attack to work with, as Jeremy Maclin outside complements Travis Kelce inside, and Jamaal Charles leads the running game to help take pressure off Alex Smith. The defense, led by defending Comeback Player of the Year Eric Berry, should be good once again as well. They might be a bit of a dark horse in a competitive division, but I'm riding the arrowhead this season.
2016 Prediction: 10-6

2. Denver Broncos
2015: 12-4 (1st), won Super Bowl 50
Denver lost Peyton Manning to retirement and Brock Osweiler to free agency, meaning they will start Northwestern grad Trevor Siemian in the opener against Carolina. Most of the weapons are still around, and the defense led by Von Miller is going to be a juggernaut once again. I just think quarterback play is so important, and Siemian has yet to throw a pass in the NFL. I think that hurts their chances of repeating.
2016 Prediction: 9-7

3. Oakland Raiders
2015: 7-9 (3rd), missed playoffs
Some experts are high on the Raiders, but I'm not sure I see it. Derek Carr is a solid quarterback entering year three, and he has some solid weapons in Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, but I'm not entirely sold on them being a top offensive attack. The defense has its pieces as well in guys like Khalil Mack, but none of the other names really strike fear into my heart. The Raiders will be competitive, but not contenders.
2016 Prediction: 6-10

4. San Diego Chargers
2015: 4-12 (4th), missed playoffs
The Bolts were just bad last year, which was weird, considering I had them penciled in for a wild card berth. Melvin Gordon did not perform worthy of a first round pick in his rookie season, and Antonio Gates is suspended to start the season. The Chargers did at least finally get 2016 first rounder Joey Bosa signed after a long holdout, but without many reps he's going to struggle to start the year. These factors combined are going to get San Diego into an early hole that I don't think they'll recover from.
2016 Prediction: 4-12

AFC Playoff Picture

1. New England Patriots (11-5)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
3. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
5. New York Jets (10-6)
6. Houston Texans (10-6)