AFC West Roundtable Discussion: Is This NFL’s Best Division?

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From the start of free agency, all the way up to the preseason, the AFC West garnered much of the NFL offseason headlines. An accomplished quarterback made his way into the fray. Yet, that highly respected passer may not even be considered as a top two quarterback in this division. We saw plenty of other star players join the AFC West as well. Overall, teams that added playmakers on defense could wind up looking like they made the smartest moves. That is especially true when you look at the offensive talent in the AFC West and AFC in general.

With all of the hype surrounding the four teams in the AFC West, it sparked a new roundtable discussion. Terrance Biggs of FPC Raiders and Braden Holecek of FPC Chiefs came together to answer some tough questions. Is an AFC West team more likely to have a Super Bowl appearance in them this season? Or, will these four teams exhaust themselves trying to get past each other? What teams or players are under the most pressure entering 2022? Finally, who will ultimately win the AFC West division crown this season?

We will have answers to those questions and much more. Certainly, there will be no shortage of entertainment when the AFC West is on your television screen in 2022. Let’s kick it off.

Many people believe that the AFC West is the best division in the NFL. What is more likely to happen in 2022? The entire division will get worn down trying to topple each other and struggle in the playoffs. Or, an AFC West team makes a Super Bowl 57 appearance.

Biggs: The AFC West will be decided by attrition. When all four teams can defeat one another, those divisional contests evolve into six extra playoff games. When Tyreek Hill headed to Miami via trade, the rest of the division took one step closer, bridging the gap between themselves and the Kansas City Chiefs. As a result, no team will emerge unscathed from playing nearly a third of their schedule, in the toughest division in football.

Holecek: I have to agree with my colleague here. When you look at how most AFC West division matchups are played, there are so many different momentum changes inside of each division game. Doing that six different times will leave each team exhausted heading into their following matchup. On the other hand, it will be difficult to gain much of a lead or momentum in the standings, unless things go shockingly bad for a couple of teams. An AFC West team may be good enough to make a Super Bowl 57 appearance. Though, I just do not see any of them getting that far this year.

How many playoff teams will there be from the AFC West?

Biggs: If you look at the schedules, taking weather into consideration, two AFC West teams find their way into the playoffs. Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Baltimore will claim at least two spots. The Titans and Colts should vie for spots as well. In the East, the Bills and Dolphins look to fight for spots. Under those circumstances, a ten-win team will miss the playoffs.

Holecek: Even with the exhaustion and attrition that I mentioned above, I have three AFC West teams making the playoffs in 2022. The influx of talent creates so many fresh opportunities for each team. Whereas with everyone’s distinct style of play, many AFC counterparts will be forced to play fast or have to catch up. There is also enough belief that other AFC contenders could take steps back, namely the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots. Give me a trio of AFC West squads in the postseason for my predictions.

The Kansas City Chiefs have won the AFC West six consecutive times. While they will likely feel some pressure, which team is under the most pressure to come through and dethrone Kansas City?

Biggs: Without a doubt, the Las Vegas Raiders reside under the most pressure to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs. First, Derek Carr enters his ninth season without a playoff win. Next, the Chiefs routinely confuse, confound and disrupt any rhythm that Carr would establish. Lastly, for a matter of pride, the Raiders cannot keep suffering embarrassing losses to the Chiefs.

Holecek: I would have to say the Denver Broncos. This team is riding high on the trade acquisition of Russell Wilson. However, Wilson has had some significant bumps in the road when on the field the last couple of years. Can he still perform highly this season? Absolutely. It would take a leap of improvement for him to outlast Patrick Mahomes or Justin Herbert, in my opinion. Add in the fact that Denver has been on the quarterback carousel for so many years before getting Wilson, and he enters his first campaign in orange under immense pressure. Denver is also looking for their first playoff appearance since 2015.

Additionally, which AFC West quarterback is under the most pressure in 2022?

Biggs: Despite the answer above, Justin Herbert must make the playoffs to quiet the naysayers. Now, with Sony Michel to pair with Austin Ekeler, an improved offensive line and pass rush, Los Angeles ran out of excuses. For all of his talent and gaudy stats, Herbert needs a statement season to justify the lofty preseason rankings.

Holecek: Even with my mention of Wilson above, I am also going Herbert. This Chargers team arguably has the most complete AFC West roster on paper. For years, that has not meant anything for the team in powder blue and gold. The time is now for them to step up and take advantage of what they have constructed. Herbert is sure to get a massive contract extension soon. But if he continues to miss the playoffs and fall in big games, the Chargers may leave some money on the table for Herbert. Los Angeles seems close to hitting their stride in a prime competitive window. Can Herbert take that next step?

Despite the talent and depth of each team, every team has a weakness. Which position group are you most worried about for each team?

Biggs: Raiders: Overall, a solid team, but they lack offensive line stability, especially on the right side. With the release of former first-round pick Alex Leatherwood, Las Vegas will roll with a veterans and retreads. That may come back to bite them in December.

Chargers: Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa present massive matchup problems. In contrast, the Chargers need the interior of their interior defensive lineman to not only stop the run, but provide some inside push. If they don’t, quarterbacks will climb the ladder and pick them apart, regardless of Pro Bowl secondary talent.

Holecek: Chiefs: I think the pass rush stands out more than anything. There is surely some potential in rookie George Karlaftis and Frank Clark could bounce back this season. Nonetheless, Kansas City has seen their sack total drop in each of the last three years. You have to be able to get after the quarterback more consistently. Time will tell if the Chiefs have enough depth on their defensive line to get where they want to go this season.

Broncos: Mainly, the front seven in general makes me a little worried for Denver. Losing Vic Fangio could take away some of the disruptiveness that this group had. Linebacker is filled with a lot of inexperience and with play styles that can be easily attacked in today’s high-paced NFL. Elsewhere, Bradley Chubb has failed to stay healthy or live up to his rookie production. The Broncos will need him to lead and take command amid a questionable unit.

Which one newcomer, veteran or rookie, are you most looking forward to watching for each AFC West team?

Biggs: Raiders: Chandler Jones gives the Raiders a multi-dimensional edge rusher to bookend Maxx Crosby. Jones will factor against the run, as well as the pass.

Chargers: Sony Michel’s power and speed will gain the Chargers the tough yards.

Holecek: Chiefs: JuJu Smith-Schuster is the wide receiver that I am most enamored to watch this season out of an exciting new group. He got out of the pop-gun offense in Pittsburgh. Smith-Schuster has a chance to be the number one receiver in an offense that continuously throws it around the yard. What kind of response will he have?

Broncos: The addition of pass rusher Randy Gregory is extremely fascinating. He appeared to be re-signing with Dallas, but left for the Broncos at the last second. There is a certain speed and bend that he plays with that is largely unmatched by the rest of the Denver pass rush.

Do you think any of the AFC West teams will fall short of expectations?

Biggs: Every team in the AFC West will fall short. No one will win more than ten games. Moreover, no team that survives the division will win more than one playoff game. Furthermore, the defenses in the division will suffer at the hands of prolific offenses.

Holecek: Based on the hype and the expectations that they have built up themselves, I really only think the Broncos will truly fall short of expectations. I do not have Denver finishing with a winning record. Mainly, the best part of their defense, the secondary, may be placed in too many difficult spots throughout the season. I also wonder about the ceiling for Wilson, as mentioned above.

Who officially wins the AFC West in 2022?

Biggs: The Kansas City Chiefs, despite the losses of Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu will still win the division. Andy Reid remains the best coach in the division, the best strategist and smartest coach. He will gameplan and scheme them to the postseason.

Holecek: It will definitely be tight. However, I do have the Kansas City Chiefs winning the AFC West for the seventh consecutive season. There may be some early learning curves with new offensive weapons and a younger defense. The Chiefs went out and got much more fast, physical and versatile players this offseason, however. That is what they strived for on the offseason checklist. It should pay off for them in the home stretch of the season.

Be on the lookout for more 2022 NFL articles and analysis here at Full Press Coverage.

Follow all of Terrance Biggs’ work here: @TBiggsTequila, @FPCRaiders

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.