Ceilings and Floors: AFC West
We’ve weathered free agency, dealt with the Draft, and scrutinised the schedule. Now we can look ahead to real football as we build up to the start of the season. So we looked at each team’s schedule and weighed up their offseason moves to predict their best and worst records to find their potential ceilings and floors. Here’s the AFC West:
Denver Broncos
Ceiling: 9–7
Floor: 7–9
2016: 9–7
Despite winning the Super Bowl two seasons ago, Denver aren’t a lock to make the playoffs thanks to the AFC West possibly being the best division in football. Their once dominant defense lost a step last season and is no longer guided by coordinator Wade Phillips. The Broncos aren’t sure who to go with at quarterback; Trevor Siemian or last year’s first round pick Paxton Lynch, and lack a top-tier running back to shoulder the offense despite signing Jamaal Charles alongside C.J. Anderson. But the biggest question mark for first-time head coach Vance Joseph is the offensive line, which adds free agents Ronald Leary and Menelik Watson alongside inconsistent Garrett Bolles, who was Denver’s first round pick this year.
Kansas City Chiefs
Ceiling: 12–4
Floor: 9–7
2016: 12–4
Last year’s division champions return with much of last season’s roster intact. But have the Chiefs done enough to offset improvements made across the rest of the AFC West? And can they challenge Pittsburgh or New England in the playoffs? The offense is becoming more versatile and more pass-focused, with dependable veteran Alex Smith surrounded by a good supporting cast. The defense remains one of the most solid units in the league and sees star safety Eric Berry return. Sophomore playmaker Tyreek Hill needs to step up as the focus of the offense alongside veteran receiver Jeremy Maclin, tight end Travis Kelce, and running back Spencer Ware. Veteran linebacker Justin Houston should be healthy and young star corner Marcus Peters should continue to grow. With Smith’s successor now in house in first round pick Patrick Mahomes, can he lead the Chiefs and take the next step this year?
Los Angeles Chargers
Ceiling: 12–4
Floor: 7–9
2016: 5–11
Injuries have incapacitated the Chargers for the past few seasons, but this is quietly one of the strongest rosters in the AFC. Quarterback Philip Rivers is entering the final phase of his career, but has a bevy of weapons in receivers Keenan Allen, first rounder Mike Williams, and Tyrell Williams alongside tight ends Hunter Henry, Antonio Gates, and running back Melvin Gordon. A revamped offensive line, bolstered by draft picks Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp, should help both Rivers and Gordon. The defense is also strong with edge rusher Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram and a secondary anchored by corners Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett. If they can stay healthy, the Chargers should land in Los Angeles with a splash this season.
Oakland Raiders
Ceiling: 12–4
Floor: 9–7
2016: 12–4
The Raiders looked to be heading for a division title last season before quarterback Derek Carr went down with an injury. The defense was the other issue last season, and Oakland drafted defensive backs Gareon Conley and Obi Melifonwu to help shore up the secondary. Marshawn Lynch returns to football as running back for his home-town Raiders, and Oakland hopes he will give them a legitimate number one back to take an already strong offense to the next level. Jared Cook also gives Carr his best tight end yet. Oakland looks set to challenge for the division title again.
