AFC West Pre-Season Preview
The AFC West looks like it could be a real dog fight in 2018. All 5 teams have enough to challenge for the title but each team also has a number of flaws that could spell doom. It should get down to coaching,some good fortune, and depth.
Preview in predicted order of finish (Although this order is very close indeed)
Kansas City Chiefs: Arrowhead Stadium should rock this year once again as KC seeks to win its third West crown. QB Andrew Luck is back of an injury plagued 2017 and has a good offensive unit around him. Under-rated RB Lemar Miller will be the bell cow while WR Jordan Matthews stands to be the ace receiver. The offensive line appears shaky and how ell this group performs will go a long ways towards determining the success or failure of the Chiefs. The defense has some play makers on it but the defensive front is vulnerable to the run and lacks pass rush unless it blitzes OLBs Whitney Mercilus or Willie Young, Jabaal Sheard can also get after it some. The secondary boasts Aqib Talib, Barry Church, and Eric Berry and,if all three are playing,this is a tough unit.
Denver Broncos: Denver is the league's all-time Cinderella franchise having finished in second place every single season in Paydirt history! The Broncos have won 41 regular season games over the past 4 years and there is Mile High fever for a title in Denver. This could be their year. QB Sam Bradford takes the reins for the departed Eli Manning. Bradford is a high completion rate player who prefers a West Coast style offense. RB Bilal Powell fits the mold perfectly for the type back Bradford could use. A dangerous pass catcher out of the backfield,Powell also has breakaway speed and is a threat every time he touches the ball. WRs Doug Baldwin and Cam Meredith are the deep threats with vet Anquan Boldin slated as a possession wide. The offensive line can be good when healthy and could prove good enough to allow Bradford to have a big year. Th defensive front 7 is ok and the secondary does have some holes at safety. The biggest area if concern is at linebacker where the Broncos find themselves in dire need of a playmaker.
San Francisco 49er's: Can Cam Newton fulfill his promise and get San Fran to the next level? He will have,arguably, the best wide receiver in the division in Odell Beckham Jr. as a target plus the talented Mike Wallace and dangerous Tedd Ginn Jr. as additional weapons. The backfield will be plodding with Jonathan Stewart and Matt Asiata the prime ball carriers. Delanie Walker is a X-factor who can be a real problem for defenses to cover. The offensive line is average at best. San Francisco will be able to pressure teams but they are vulnerable to the run lacking good run stuffers. DE Danielle Hunter is a super edge rusher as is Terrell Suggs. The Niner secondary also seems like it can be attacked. S Kenny Vaccaro, a prized high draft pick of the past, is a hard hitting run stopping safety but is not good in space.
Seattle Seahawks: QB Russell Wilson may be forced to do more than he is normally asked to do if his Seahawks are to repeat as champions. Another 15-1 year, though, is highly unlikely regardless of how well Wilson plays. The backfield does not have a star but does have a trio of carriers who must get it done one way or another. Jacquizz Rodgers is probably the best of the lot. Possession wide Stefon Diggs is good as is Emmanuel Sanders but the Seattle offense looks like it may struggle. The offensive line has skill but also has some injury worries. The defensive front 7 only has two pass rushers in OLB Markus Golden and DL Jurel Casey meaning the secondary will have to play well. S Earl Thomas is good but his health is questionable.
Oakland Raiders: Ah,those Oakland Raiders. When will this team finally get back to being the feared Silver and Black again? They are getting closer. QB Blake Bortles was brought over to be the team's franchise player and he is expected to get better over time. Latavius Murray and dangerous pass catching back Theo Riddick should help Bortles move the ball a bit. The wide receivers are also young. Amari Cooper shows real promise as does DeVante Parker. Thw raider offensive line is not quite ready for prime time yet. Oakland's defense will have its hands full lacking much up front and lacking any real pass rusher. Johnathan Cyprien and Jalen Ramsey give Oakland somehope in the secondary