NFL Preview 2023: AFC West Division
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At long last, only a week remains between fans and NFL football. As we wrap up the 2023 NFL Preview presented by Greenville Sports Media, we’ll take a look at the division that features the reigning Super Bowl champions. From the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders to the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs, we’ll take a deep dive into the state of the AFC West.
Denver Broncos
Major additions: T Mike McGlinchey, G Ben Powers, DE Zach Allen, RB Samaje Perine
Major losses: DE Dre’Mont Jones
Where they were:
To put it politely, the 2022 Denver Broncos were a complete and total disaster. With high expectations placed on the team that traded a haul for star QB Russell Wilson in the offseason, the Broncos never even gave the impression of greatness, stumbling to a 5-12 record as first year head coach Nathaniel Hackett was told to pack his bags after the disappointing year.
Where they are:
But with new faces comes new hope. The Broncos gave up a first and a second round for the right to hire Super Bowl winning coach Sean Payton to take over the team. With a rebuilt offensive line featuring star RT Mike McGlinchey and G Ben Powers, the Broncos might just have started something rolling in Denver now.
Can Sean Payton turn the ship around? That remains to be seen. Draftkings has set the Broncos win total over/under at 8.5 wins, and should Payton pull Denver together, the Broncos could easily reach and exceed that mark.
Grade: Underrated
Las Vegas Raiders
Major additions: EDGE Tyree Wilson (draft), WR Jakobi Meyers, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, TE Michael Mayer (draft)
Major losses: WR Mack Hollins, QB Derek Carr, TE Foster Moreau, TE Darren Waller (trade)
Where they were:
2022 was an extremely disappointing year for the Las Vegas Raiders.Hope soared with the offseason addition of superstar WR Davante Adams, and the Raiders were a popular preseason pick to challenge for the division crown. However, mediocre play and injuries derailed the Raiders as they stumbled to a 6-11 record and 3rd place finish in the AFC West.
Where they are:
It’s hard to say if the Raiders have improved dramatically in advance of the 2023 campaign. Davante Adams returns to lead the offense with free agent addition Jimmy Garoppolo at QB, but the Raiders seem to be about the same, if not worse than their 2022 roster.
The Raiders shipped off oft injured star TE Darren Waller to the Giants in the offseason, further weakening the offense. Star RB Josh Jacobs will return to Las Vegas after a lengthy holdout where he missed all of training camp to be a focal point of the Raiders offense, but one good running back does not make an offense, particularly in the modern pass happy NFL. All in all, Las Vegas feels very vanilla in a fantastic AFC. Draftkings has set the Raiders win total over/under at 6.5, which feels about right for this Las Vegas squad.
Grade: Properly rated
Los Angeles Chargers
Major additions: WR Quentin Johnston (draft), ILB Eric Kendricks
Major losses: ILB Kyle Van Noy
Where they were:
The 2022 Los Angeles Chargers were one of the most entertaining teams in professional football last season, sporting a fantastic offense and an opportunistic defense. The Chargers made the playoffs for the first time in 4 years with a 10-7 record, and looked primed to make a playoff run. Unfortunately for the Chargers, the Jacksonville Jaguars came back from down 4 scores down at halftime in the wildcard round to eliminate LA in heartbreaking fashion.
Where they are:
The Chargers are running it back in 2023, bolstering an already strong roster in the offseason. Los Angeles added WR Quentin Johnston through the draft, and signed longtime Vikings star LB Eric Kendricks to shore up the defense.
The Chargers also locked up franchise QB Justin Herbert to a long term deal, securing Herbert for the foreseeable future. Draftkings has set the Chargers win total over/under at 9.5, which feels entirely reasonable for an exciting young team like the Chargers.
Grade: Properly rated
Kansas City Chiefs
Major additions: T Jawaan Taylor, EDGE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE Charles Omenihu
Major losses: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, T Orlando Brown, T Andrew Wylie, S Juan Thornhill
Where they were:
It was a magical season for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 as head coach Andy Reid’s team tore through the league on their way to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl Victory, the Chiefs second title in 4 years. Led by the best player in the NFL in QB Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs looked unstoppable for most of the season, ending with a 2nd half comeback in the Super Bowl to polish off the Philadelphia Eagles.
Where they are:
The Chiefs are once again widely considered to be the favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions, despite losing left tackle Orlando Brown to the Bengals in free agency. The Chiefs added pieces to a good young defense and signed T Jawaan Taylor away from the Jaguars to replace Brown.
While the Kansas City WR corps once again seem to be lacking on paper, that didn’t seem to matter last season, and it shouldn’t matter again this season. Draftkings has set the Chiefs win total over/under at 11.5, which feels like the floor of the Kansas City dynasty in the making.
Grade: Properly rated
3, 2, 1, Go!
The AFC West is yet another fascinating story to watch in the larger NFL picture. With the reigning champs, the recovering Broncos, and the exciting Chargers, the West will truly be pure cinema unfolding on the gridiron for fans and media alike. The NFL Preview 2023 presented by Greenville Sports Media is officially in the books! Now, it’s finally time for the real thing.
