AFC West 2022 Preview

Chargers charge up, Chiefs lose Hill, Raiders & Broncos add major pieces.

Preseason football is officially over as September approaches bringing the excitement of a new season. Much of the excitement of the upcoming season stems from blockbuster moves that happen during the offseason. The 2022 offseason provided eye-opening headlines as many all-pro players and coaches changed their colors, a good number of them representing the AFC West. This migration of immense talent all heading towards the same destination in the AFC West creates an extremely interesting story line, in one of the best mystery novels written each year that we know as the NFL season.  

Los Angeles witnessed their city’s NFL team, or one of them, win a Super Bowl title and parade around Sofi Stadium in victory as the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals. Yet it may not be long before it happens again, this time celebrating the other team’s success in the Los Angeles Chargers.  

The 2022 season came to a disappointing conclusion for Charger fans as they lost a ‘win or go home’, bout against their division rival, Las Vegas Raiders, in the last game of the season. Although the loss hurt, no one could deny the takeaway of Justin Herbert’s insane potential as he stormed back late in the game to tie it twice, converting on numerous fourth down conversions yet coming up just short.  

The hopes were already high for the 2022 Chargers before the offseason began. That did not stop them from bringing in even more fire power. The Chargers signed former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and three-time NFL first-team defender, defensive lineman Khalil Mack, to bolster their edge rush with already dominant pash rusher Joey Bosa. These two will dominate any front matched in front of them. Not to mention picking up all-pro former New England Patriot cornerback, J.C. Jackson, as well, solidifying their secondary with recently resigned elite safety, Derwin James, to accompany him.  

These defensive additions will only make it even more difficult for opponents to keep up with the loaded offense of Austin Ekler, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Jalen Guyton, led by Herbert. 

For the past decade one man has dominated the AFC West, leaving no one in his path, becoming victorious numerous occasions and standing tall after the grueling season ends. That man is Kansas City Chiefs head coach, Andy Reid. Whether it was Alex Smith or now future Hall of Famer, Patrick Mahomes, steering the wheel at quarterback, Reid always manages to produce an offensively potent squad.  

Kansas City hosted yet another AFC championship game against Cincinnati and took the loss after coming just short of reaching the mountain top, where the Chiefs are no strangers to. This time around it will be a greater challenge to return to the AFC Championship while Patrick Mahomes can only look on at his former teammate and favorite target, speedster all-pro wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, as he will catch passes from Miami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa this season. Losing the greatest game-changing weapon in the entire league will certainly entertain the idea of a fall off season for most NFL teams, but most likely not Kansas City.  

Although many believe the Chiefs’ offense will take a step back after losing Hill but as long as Mahomes and Reid stick together along with formidable passing catching tight end, Travis Kelce, they will do just fine. Over the offseason wide receivers JuJu-Smith Schuster, Marquez Valdes Scantling, and newcomer rookie, Skyy Moore, all joined the revamping receivers’ core that will help Mahomes, and Reid continue their reign over the AFC West.  

Accepting defeat in the playoffs can be hard to swallow after being eliminated in the first round. Except if you’re a Las Vegas Raiders fan. As we all know already, the Raiders’ 2022 season was filled with twists and turns that many other teams would simply not be able to conquer.  

Led by veteran quarterback, Derek Carr, the Raiders managed to defy all odds and obstacles in their way and found themselves in an AFC wild-card spot. The expectations for Las Vegas went out the window after the damaging headlines, one after the other. Instead of ‘tanking’ for thoughts of the future like most NFL organizations would, Carr rallied his troops behind interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, and gave Raiders fans their first playoff berth since 2016.  

In 2022 the expectations grow bigger. This offseason Raiders owner, Mark Davis, rolled the dice and hired former Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, as head coach and his college friend, former Patriot executive, Dave Ziegler as general manager. These two have a great rapport with each other giving the organization an advantage of not having to waste time implementing each other’s philosophies with one another.  

Ziegler and McDaniels’ bond was not the only one that would soon be entering the building. In March, Vegas made a splash trade to reunite Carr with his best friend and former college wide receiver teammate, Davante Adams in exchange for first and second round draft picks. Adams, joining an offense with elite slot receiver, Hunter Renfrow, and all-pro tight end, Darren Waller, will be immensely dangerous for any secondary.  

Vegas also went out and acquired former all-pro Arizona Cardinals edge rusher, Chandler Jones, teaming him with one of the best in the NFL at getting to the quarterback in Maxx Crosby. 

Unlike seasons in the past, the Raiders will have many expectations to fill, especially Carr. With a trio of a phenomenal slot receiver, tight end, and wide receiver, many expect this Raiders team to do things like McDaniels’ masterpiece in 2007 with Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Tom Brady in New England. Much still yet to be seen but the autumn wind is a Raider, and Vegas’ offense will certainly put major points on the board in 2022.  

Broncos’ country, are you ready to ride? Russel Wilson certainly is. After another disappointing season in 2021, Denver did something that we’ve seen them do before. Much like the signing of Hall of Fame quarterback, Peyton Manning, back in March in 2012, the Broncos signed former Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawk quarterback, Russel Wilson.  

The question surrounding bringing in Wilson will be whether he has the current tools around him to fight in this already offensively stacked division. The Broncos offense last season failed to produce due to the lack of leadership and consistency at the quarterback position. They possess talent on the end with receivers, Cortland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler etc., but will it be enough? We know the running game will be productive led by young elusive back, Javonte Williams, and powerhouse up field runner in Melvin Gordon.  

Denver’s defense can hold their own against most offenses in the NFL due to their stout defensive front containing ruthless pass rusher Bradley Chubb and recently signed elite defensive end from the Dallas Cowboys, Randy Gregory, which is pivotal to staying afloat and matching the fire power of their rivals amongst the AFC West.  

Wilson’s presence alone will change the culture of the once Super Bowl winning organization. Coming from Seattle to Denver has its risks as the sharks are big in the AFC West and are ready to feed.  

You will be hard-pressed to find another division throughout the entire history of the NFL that was ever this stacked with stars on every team as the AFC West looks going into the 2022 season. It will be a blood bath and each team will eat each other till one remains above them all. Sit back, relax, grab your snacks and beverage of choice, and enjoy the carnivorous battle amongst these powerhouses this season.