Opinion: Payton Changes Fortunes For AFC West

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With the hiring of Sean Payton, the entire face of the AFC West shifted. Rebuilding is not an option. There are no more excuses.

In a way, the Denver Broncos’ hire of Sean Payton really sets the AFC West apart from the other seven divisions. Payton raises not only the expectations of the division but the visibility and profile. For years, during their championship drives, the Kansas City Chiefs ran the division. No one really provided any sustained challenge. Instead, the Chiefs trucked over everyone they played twice during the regular season. Ineffective attempts to neutralize the offense became frustrating. Now, every team in the division, including the Chiefs must recognize that the days of gimme games dissipated with Payton’s penstroke on the contract.

Last Chance

The Los Angeles Chargers sat thirty minutes away from a playoff victory. Then, in an incomprehensible turn of events, the Chargers steered clear of the run game, allowing the Jaguars the most furious of comebacks. People thought that the failure in coaching should necessitate Staley’s dismissal. Yet, he remains in control of the Chargers. Meanwhile, the Chargers hired Kellen Moore to run the offense, eliminating any lingering excuses. In Moore, the Chargers employ a pass-friendly coordinator that will iron out the offense, placing the playmakers in a better position to succeed. On top of that, if the pressure shifts to the Los Angeles defense. Six games versus respected offensive minds with Super Bowl rings on their resume. Brandon Staley’s grip on his job grew tenuous with Payton’s arrival. The AFC West morphed into Survivor. He seems the most likely coach voted off.

Standing On Your Own

When the Raiders handed Derek Carr his marching orders, the franchise now rests with Josh McDaniels. Right or wrong, the franchise needed that cleansing. For McDaniels to prosper in the desert, the next quarterback must be an immediate success. Mark Davis will not wait another nine fruitless seasons. Instead, McDaniels, long considered a quarterback guru needs to mold whatever passer lines up in Week One and win. Payton loves the chess match between offensive minds. Employing the best rusher and receiver in the AFC West will not hurt. Additionally, the team needs to invest in the one thing that halts prolific offenses: a better pass rush. Although they’re tied to Chandler Jones, creating havoc up the middle will disrupt any quarterback that loves to climb the ladder.

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Legacy Undone

When the Denver Broncos mortgaged their immediate future for Russell Wilson, the AFC West shook, then laughed. Why marry yourself to an expensive player on the backside of thirty? Years of light protection subjected Wilson to weekly pain. Now, the management tasked Sean Payton with fixing what ails Wilson. In his defense, defenses sacked him a league-leading fifty-five times. Payton needs to fix Wilson’s approach. Instead of running around to make every play, stop holding the ball too long, make progressions, and move along. Every pass should not be a long touchdown. At times, take what exists. He will not win the AFC West with a single throw.

Overview

Sean Payton’s address change should send a chill up the spines of every team, including his own, Granted, the AFC West remained a tough division before. Yet, now, the potential for job openings occurring because of losses could still be highly likely. With that said, welcome to the AFC West, the most competitive division in football.