NFL Preseason Preview: Can the Chiefs win the AFC West again?

The AFC West was considered one of the toughest divisions in football last year as the Chiefs and Chargers were set to be challenged by the Russell Wilson led Broncos. That didn’t quite go to plan, but this coming season, with the addition of Sean Payton, the Broncos are set to compete for the division crown once more, but can they overcome two Super Bowl contenders?

Is Russell Wilson still an elite quarterback who had a down year, or is he simply past his best? The Broncos will be praying it’s the latter as they have mortgaged the future on the ex-Seahawks QB. If new head coach Sean Payton can’t get anything out of his new signal caller, then probably no one can.

Last season saw the Broncos emerge as one of the best pass defenses in football. This was mainly down to Patrick Surtain II showcasing himself as a truly elite cornerback. The additions of Frank Clark and Zach Allen should see an improvement in the pass rush but don’t expect constant pressure from this front. This should be a very solid, if not spectacular unit.

Like many teams in the 2023 season, how the Broncos get on is hugely dependent on their quarterback play. Wilson spent nearly a decade as one of the elite QBs in the NFL and if he can rediscover that form, he has the squad around him to be challenging for a playoff spot. This is a talented football team, and in any other division would be expected to be a top seed.

Patrick Mahomes is still the quarterback and Andy Reid is still the head coach and offensive guru. Unless something absolutely catastrophic happens, there is almost no way to stop this team. The line lost a good player in Orlando Brown, but Mahomes can paper over pretty much any crack that may emerge.

Somehow the Chiefs were able to start a bunch of unheralded rookies last year and still win the Super Bowl. This year those same players are a year older and a year more experienced. It helps to have Chris Jones at defensive tackle too, one of the very best at his position in the league.

The reigning Super Bowl champions go into the new season as favorites for the Lombardi once again. With the best Qb in the league and one of the all-time great head coaches, there's no reason they can't go back-to-back.

On paper, the Raiders look to have a talented group, with Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Hunter Renfrow at wideout, Josh Jacobs at running back, and Austin Hooper at tight end. It’s no ‘greatest show on turf’ but it is a group that will put up points. Jimmy Garoppolo is little more than an above-average QB but there should be enough to win games still.

A group headlined by Maxx Crosby, Chandler Jones, and exciting rookie Tyree Wilson as pass rushers, this defense is weak almost everywhere else. Marcus Epps should add some solidity at safety but this isn’t an especially talented group. That offense is going to need to score a lot of points.

In most divisions in the NFL, the Raiders would be hoping to challenge for the divisional crown, unfortunately, the AFC West is a different beast to most. By no means is this a bad team, it’s just not especially good at any one thing and will be sitting somewhere around .500 by the end of the year.

The Chargers boast one of the elite quarterback talents in the NFL in Justin Herbert, they also possess three solid receiving options. Herbert finally got over the playoff hump in 2022 which should spur him on in the coming season. At some point, this team needs to pull things together and make a deep run and that could well be in 2023.

Can Joey Bosa stay healthy? If he can, the Chargers possess one of the best and most experienced pass-rush duos when you throw Khalil Mack into the group as well. Derwin James Jr. is a monster at safety and Asante Samuel Jr. is a solid enough corner. The run defense is a big weak spot that will need fixing if they want to make a dent in the playoffs.

A team that has flattered to deceive at times over the past few seasons, to an extent the Chargers need to put up or shut up in 2023. The division title has to be the aim, even with the almost indomitable Chiefs in their way, and a deep playoff push should be expected.

It’s Patrick Mahomes, that may seem incredibly boring but we are watching one of the greatest to ever do it produce at levels never previously seen. His connection with Travis Kelce is unstoppable at times, sometimes it’s best to simply sit back and watch.

Chris Jones on the Chiefs is a tempting option here, but let’s move away from the Chiefs for a moment and focus on Derwin James Jr. on the Chargers. James is a freak of a player who can cover like a corner and tackle like a linebacker (just ask Travis Kelce) and just one of the most fun players in the league to watch.

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Los Angeles Chargers
3. Denver Broncos
4. Las Vegas Raiders