2020 NFL Preview & Predictions – AFC West
The AFC West in 2019 was about as top-heavy as any Division in the NFL. You had your Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs…then you had a slew of teams under .500. Will 2020 be any different? I do not believe it will be. Let’s take a look.
Las Vegas Raiders
2019 Record - 7-9
2019 Scoring Offense - 24th
2019 Rushing Offense - 13th
2019 Passing Offense - 9th
2019 Scoring Defense - 24th
2019 Rushing Defense - 8th
2019 Passing Defense - 25th
Key Losses - OLB Vontaze Burfict, RB Isaiah Crowell, G Richie Incognito, DE Benson Mayowa, CB Daryl Worley, QB Mike Glennon
Key Additions - ILB Cory Littleton, QB Marcus Mariota, DE Carl Nassib, ILB Nick Kwiatkoski, DT Maliek Collins, TE Jason Witten, SS Jeff Heath, FS Damarious Randall, CB Prince Amukamara, RB Devontae Booker, WR Nelson Agholor
Draft Picks - WR Henry Ruggs III, CB Damon Arnette, WR Lynn Bowden Jr., WR Bryan Edwards, S Tanner Muse, G John Simpson, CB Amik Robertson
Biggest Strength - Defensive backfield
Biggest Weakness - A Head Coach that is 15 years past his prime
Biggest Question - Will Derek Carr ever return to his 2016 form, or will this be his last shot?
Notes - Despite a new city, they're still the Raiders
COVID – LB Ukeme Eligwe, DB D.J. Killings, DE Jeremiah Valoaga opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 1-15
Denver Broncos
2019 Record - 7-9
2019 Scoring Offense - 28th
2019 Rushing Offense - 20th
2019 Passing Offense - 28th
2019 Scoring Defense - 10th
2019 Rushing Defense - 16th
2019 Passing Defense - 11th
Key Losses - C Connor McGovern, CB Chris Harris, DE Derek Wolfe, QB Joe Flacco, RB Devontae Booker, QB Brandon Allen, RB Theo Riddick
Key Additions - G Graham Glasgow, RB Melvin Gordon, DT Jurrell Casey, CB A.J. Bouye, P Sam Martin, TE Nick Vannett, QB Jeff Driskel
Draft Picks - WR Jerry Jeudy, WR KJ Hamler, CB Michael Ojemudia, C Lloyd Cushenberry III, DT McTelvin Agim, TE Albert Okwuegbunam, LB Justin Strnad, G Netane Muti, WR Tyrie Cleveland, LB Derrek Tuszka
Biggest Strength - Linebacker corps (Von Miller & Bradley Chubb)
Biggest Weakness - Quarterback position
Biggest Question - Will their upgraded offensive weapons make up for their lack of Quarterback talent?
Notes - Offense is loaded with young talent
COVID – OT Ju’Wuan James, DT Kyle Peko opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 3-13
Los Angeles Chargers
2019 Record - 5-11
2019 Scoring Offense - 21st
2019 Rushing Offense - 28th
2019 Passing Offense - 6th
2019 Scoring Defense - 14th
2019 Rushing Defense - 18th
2019 Passing Defense - 5th
Key Losses - QB Philip Rivers, RB Melvin Gordon, LT Russel Okung, LB Thomas Davis, FB Derek Watt, FS Adrian Phillips, CB Jaylen Watkins, WR Travis Benjamin, TE Lance Kendricks
Key Additions - RT Bryan Bulaga, OL Trai Turner, CB Chris Harris, DT Linval Joseph
Draft Picks - QB Justin Herbert, LB Kenneth Murray, RB Joshua Kelley, WR Joe Reed, S Alohi Gilman, WR K.J. Hill
Biggest Strength - Offensive line (Bryan Bulaga, Trai Turner, Mike Pouncey)
Biggest Weakness - Linebacker corps
Biggest Question - How long will Tyrod Taylor last as the Quarterback until Justin Herbert gets inserted?
Notes - Sure gonna be weird not seeing Philip Rivers (and Antonio Gates) on the field for the Super Chargers
2020 Prediction - 7-9
Kansas City Chiefs
2019 Record - 12-4
2019 Scoring Offense - 5th
2019 Rushing Offense - 23rd
2019 Passing Offense - 5th
2019 Scoring Defense - 7th
2019 Rushing Defense - 26th
2019 Passing Defense - 8th
Key Losses - CB Kendall Fuller, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, RB LeSean McCoy, OLB Terrell Suggs, P Dustin Colquitt, RB Spencer Ware
Key Additions - TE Ricky Seals-Jones
Draft Picks - RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LB Willie Gay Jr., OT Lucas Niang, S L'Jarius Sneed, DE Michael Danna, CB Thakarius Keyes
Biggest Strength - The entire offense!
Biggest Weakness - Linebacker corps
Biggest Question - Are there any?
Notes - I haven't seen a team setup better to repeat as Super Bowl Champions since the 2010 Packers
COVID – OT Lucas Naing, RB Damien Williams, G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif opting out of season
2020 Prediction - 14-2 DIVISION WINNER
Now, tell me what you think!!!
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