2023 AFC West Draft Picks, Team Needs and Mock Draft

“I have returned.”

-General Douglas MacArthur

It has been a long time coming but I have finally returned. It has been hard to be away for all of you guys and the rehab really, really sucked but it is over and the old fart is back!

Well, it is draft/free agency time when every team and fan has hope for the upcoming season. It is also that time for the ultimate speculation into what we think each team needs and who they will draft with their 1st pick. Let’s go!

 

Denver Broncos

Draft Picks:

  • Round 3, Pick 68 (from IND)
  • Round 3, Pick 69
  • Round 4, Pick 108
  • Round 5, Pick 140
  • Round 6, Pick 194 (from PIT)
  • Round 7, Pick 247 (from MIN)

Denver traded their 1st and 2nd round picks for Russell Wilson and Coach Sean Peyton.

Projected Cap Space: $12,235,634 (15th in the NFL Spotrac)

Team Needs: OL, DL, RB (NFL.com)

Mock Draft: OT Blake Freeland, 6’8”, 305 BYU

Without top draft capital, expect the Broncos to be patient and take the BPA in each round.

 

Kansas City Chiefs

Draft Picks:

  • Round 1, Pick 31
  • Round 2, Pick 63
  • Round 3, Pick 95
  • Round 4, Pick 122 (from MIA)
  • Round 4, Pick 134
  • Round 5, Pick 168
  • Round 6, Pick 197 (from MIA)
  • Round 7, Pick 227 (from ATL)
  • Round 7, Pick 251

Chiefs have the last pick in the 1st round after winning the Superbowl (FUCK THE CHIEFS).

Project Cap Space: $-473,578 (18th in the NFL Spotrac)

Team Needs: OT, WR, Edge (NFL.com)

Mock Draft: Edge Keion White, 6’5”, 285 Georgia Tech

This may seem to be a luxury pick but this guy would be a steal.

 

Las Vegas Raiders

Draft Picks:

  • Round 1, Pick 7 overall
  • Round 2, Pick 38 overall
  • Round 3, Pick 70 overall
  • Round 4, Pick 109 overall
  • Round 5, Pick 143 overall (from ATL)
  • Round 5, Pick 146 overall
  • Round 6, Pick 189 overall (from DAL)
  • Round 7, Pick 198 overall (from ARI)
  • Round 7, Pick 209 overall (from NE)

The Raiders are picking in the top 10 and have more holes than Swiss cheese.

Projected Cap Space: $46,284,005 (3rd in the NFL Spotrac)

Team Needs: QB, OL, CB (NFL.com)

Mock Draft: QB Will Levis, 6’3”, 232, Kentucky

Even if the Raiders sign a veteran QB, they need one to groom for the future.

 

Los Angeles Chargers

Draft Picks:

  • Round 1, Pick 21
  • Round 2, Pick 54
  • Round 3, Pick 85
  • Round 4, Pick 125
  • Round 5, Pick 158
  • Round 6, Pick 200
  • Round 7, Pick 241

The Chargers have the 21st pick and have Herbert’s contract extension looming.

Projected Cap Space: $-19,922,446 (28th in the NFL Spotrac)

Team Needs: WR, DL, TE (NFL.com)

Mock Draft: WR Jalin Hyatt 6’0”, 185 Tennessee

The Chargers need some speed at WR and they may have to make some tough choices at that position.

 

Football, Football and more Football. I have missed it and all of you (even you lord, LOL)

MAY THE FO BE WITH YOU!

AFCW Rest of Season Outlook

AFCW – Rest of Season Outlook. Kind of…

 

Chiefs: They’re on cruise control without any real challengers for the division title. With an easier schedule ahead, they’ll probably end up with the conference #1 seed. Fat Andy does it again.

 

Chargers: At 7-6, the Chargers are in the hunt for a WC spot. Sunday’s game vs. TEN, also 7-6, is a must win game. Their schedule is pretty favorable after this weekend, so a win vs. the Titans will go a long way towards getting them in the dance.

 

Raiders: After yet another inexcusable loss while holding a double digit lead, the season is over for the silver and black. As if it wasn’t before. Another cluster fuck of a season. But hey, MD is cashing in and has a really cool house.

 

Broncos: The Walton family has their work cut out for them this offseason with their lame duck QB ravaging their salary cap like what they’ve done to small businesses around the country. Maybe they can play spoiler with the remaining divisional games. Maybe not.

 

EAD.

– Nori

Weekly Grade and Predictions

Its been a crazy month for my family and I, but I am glad to say that we are all doing much better (especially the War Department, THANK GOD!). Time to get back to football and I have to admit I missed my MS family, you assholes. Let’s Rock……

GRADES
Raiders
Josh Jacobs has donned his Superman cape in October and become flat out unstoppable. He has gone over 140 yards rushing in all three game this month. Derek Carr was 21 of 27 (77.7%) for 241 yards and a touchdown. Josh Jacobs had 20 carries for 143 yards and 3 touchdowns with 3 receptions for 12 yards. Davante Adams had 8 receptions for 95 yards. The defense had 1 sack and 3 tackles for loss and 1 interception returned for a touchdown. Daniel Carlson was 1 for 1 on fieldgoals and 5 for 5 on extra points. The defense sucked in the 2nd and 3rd quarters but pitched shutouts in the 1st and 4th quarters. Jacobs is simply killing any and everyone.
Grade: A-

Chargers
The Chargers came out flat and at the end of the 1st quarter they were down 17-0, and then it went down hill. Justin Herbert was 33 of 51 (64.7%) for 293 yards and 2 touchdowns with a interception, fumble and 3 carries for 22 yards. Austin Ekeler had 9 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown with 12 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Mike Williams had 7 receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 2 sacks and 6 tackles for loss with an interception and a safety. Taylor Bertolet was 3 for 3 on extra points. The rush defense is shear trash as they were raped for 213 yards.
Grade: F

Chiefs
The Chiefs went on the road, faced the #1 defense in the NFL and put up 44 points, easily. This offense is insane. Patrick Mahomes was 25 of 34 (73.5%) for 423 yards and 3 touchdowns and a interception. Isiah Pacheco had 8 carries for 43 yards. JuJu Smith-Schuster had 7 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss with 2 interceptions and a safety. Harrison Butker was 0 for 1 on fieldgoals and 6 for 6 on extra points. This game was a flat out massacre.
Grade: A

Broncos
The Broncos defense is one of the best in the NFL and play like it week in and week out, the offense is a disgrace. Brett Rypien was 24 of 46 (52.1%) for 225 yards and a interception with 3 carries for 9 yards. Melvin Gordon had 11 carries for 33 yards with 2 receptions for 17 yards. Jerry Jeudy had 7 receptions for 96 yards. The defense had 3 sacks and 2 tackles for loss. Brandon McManus was 1 for 2 on fieldgoals and 0 for 1 on extra points. This game was flat out UGLY and would have been even worse were it not for the defense.
Grade: D+

PREDICTIONS
Denver Broncos vs Jacksonville Jaguars (London)
Which offense will show up for both teams…..only the shadow knows.
Jaguars 23 Broncos 17
Spread: +2.5 Broncos
Over/Under: 40.5

Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints
Which defense will show up for both teams…..only the shadow knows.
Raiders 26 Saints 24
Spread: -1.5 Raiders
Over/Under 49.5

The Chiefs and Chargers are on their bye weeks. Let’s get this party started.

AFCW Week 7 Preview

New York Jets @ Denver Broncos (-1):

For the life of me, I can’t figure out why the Broncos are favored in this game. Sure, the home team gets a built in -3, but the Broncos are fucking horrible and the Jets look legit for the first time since Rex Ryan was caught jerking off to pictures of feet. As has been the case through their first 6 games, the Denver defense will keep things close, but ultimately won’t get the job done offensively with the NFL’s least likeable player at the helm. Another low scoring, boring game here. Sorry, Broncos country.

 

Jets 20, Broncos 17

Let’s Ride.

 

Houston Texans @ Las Vegas Raiders (-7):

Has there ever been this much optimism around a 1-4 team? Not to mention a 1-4 Raiders team? Fool us once… Whatever. Coming off a bye, a matchup with the lowly Texans should be exactly what the Raiders need. Josh Jacobs should have a monster game, Carr should roll, Adams should eat, and the defense should hold up as the Texans lone weapon offensively is a rookie RB. And I say “should” because you just never fucking know with the Raiders. Hence, their shitty 1-4 record. Raiders get a win here, but won’t make it easy on us. Texans cover.

 

Texans 20, Raiders 26

 

Seattle Seahawks @ Los Angeles Chargers (-5.5):

After being the media darlings of the offseason, the current Chargers look anything but that. Sure they’re 4-2, but a couple lucky bounces against the Browns and Broncos have kept them on the right side of the w/l column. So in comes Seattle, who have been playing decent football considering they were the favorites to land the #1 overall pick as the NFL’s shittiest team of the season, and Geno fucking Smith of all people. I’m expecting a back and forth game with 2 of the NFL’s worst defenses through 6 weeks. In the end, Herbert will make the plays Geno Smith can’t, while getting his top WR back from a hysterectomy. Chargers win.

Seahawks 24, Chargers 31

 

Kansas City Chiefs (-1.5) @ Santa Clara 49ers:

Holy shit, the Niners just got CMC. I wouldn’t expect him to play much this week, but do think he’ll be active. Perfect timing as the bitch ass Chiefs and their band of Patty Mahomes dick sucking refs come to town. In what looks like the NFL game of the week, this one should not disappoint. Unless of course the refs hand another win to the Chiefs. Anyway, we’ll see how arguably the NFL’s best defense holds up against arguably the NFL’s best offense. Strength vs. strength. This one is a toss up, and will be determined by whether or not Jimmy Garrappolo can stay out of his own way and get the ball to his playmakers w/out fucking up. That’s a big ask, but I think he gets it done against a mediocre Chiefs defense. CMC gets some redzone work and finds the endzone not once, but twice in his debut. Niners get a big home win.

Chiefs 23, Niners 27

 

Well there you have it, folks. Week 7 is in the books.

 

Your friend in football,

Nori

Weekly Grade and Predictions

Its been a crazy few weeks but I have returned. I want to thank everyone again for the well wishes and prayers. Let’s rock and roll….

GRADES
Chargers
The Chargers almost blew a 21 point lead but found a way to close out and get the win. Justin Herbert was 27 of 39 (69.2%) for 340 yards and 2 touchdowns. Austin Ekeler had 13 carries for 60 yards and 2 touchdowns with 6 receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. Mike Williams had 7 receptions for 120 yards. The defense had 4 sacks and 6 tackles for loss with 2 interceptions. Dustin Hopkins was 2 for 2 on fieldgoals and 4 for 4 on extra points. The offense was great and the defense put up big numbers but giving up 131 rushing yards on 14 carries to a rookie is NO BUENO.
Grade: B-

Broncos
The Broncos had an all around bad game. Russell Wilson was 17 of 25 (68%) for 237 yards and 2 touchdowns with 4 rushes for 29 yards and a touchdown. Javonte Williams had 10 carries for 28 yards. Jerry Jeudy had 4 receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 2 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. Brandon McManus was 1 for 1 on fieldgoals and 2 for 3 on extra points. The Broncos got pushed around up front but losing Javonte Williams and Randy Gregory only added insult to injury.
Grade: D

Raiders
The Raiders played their best game of the season and got thier first win because of it. Derek Carr was 21 of 34 (61.7%) for 188 Yards with 7 carries for 40 yards. Josh Jacobs had 28 carries for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns with 5 receptions for 31 yards. Davante Adams had 9 receptions for 101 yards. The defense had 3 sacks and 7 tackles for loss with a fumble recovery return for a touchdown. Daniel Carlson was 4 for 4 on fieldgoals and 2 for 3 on extra points. This was a much needed win but it was also great to watch Josh McDaniels give his old team the big “FO”.
Grade: A

Chiefs
The Chiefs are starting to play at an elite level on offense and that should scare the entire NFL. Patrick Mahomes was 23 of 37 (62.1%) for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns with a interception and 4 carries for 34 yards. Clyde Edwards-Helaire had 19 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown with 1 receptions for 2 yards and a touchdown. Travis Kelce had 9 reception for 92 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss with 2 fumble recoveries. Matthew Write was 2 for 2 on field goals and 5 for 5 on extra points. This team is flat out scary.
Grade: A

 

PREDICTIONS
Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns
This game may come down to rush defense and who can protect the quarterback. Upset alert!
Browns 26 Chargers 23
Spread: -2.5 Chargers
Over/Under: 47.5

Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos
This game is really a toss up with all of the injuries on both teams.
Broncos 23 Colts 17
Spread: -3.5
Over/Under: 42

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
This game could/should be over at halftime.
Chiefs 31 Raiders 20
Spread: -7 Chiefs
Over/Under: 51
Season: 5-4 (No Picks last week)

Well……it is good to be back and witness all of the shit talking again. Joe, that was a hell of a find of jazz and R&B records. Balls, thanks for stepping in Bro. lord, you can go fuck yourself, I saw your comment about Joe and I.
GO RAIDERS!!!
FUCK YOUR TEAM!!!

Week 3 AFC West Predicktions

Balls filling in for JMC this week. We are still thinking of he and the War Department, praying she returns to full health soo. Take care, bud.

Short and sweet this week.

Chiefs over Colts 31-20, Mahomes and company is too much.

Chargers over Jaguars 24-20, expecting Herbert to play, albeit in a safe, cautious manner by and the Staley/Lombardi’s game planning.

Titans over Raiders 23-20, Raiders offense still reeling.

49ers over Broncos 26-23, back and forth affair. Russell/Hackett’s offense still struggling at times vs a 49ers team that is ready to rally behind Garappolo.

fuck your teams

Weekly Grade and Predictions

Week 1 is in the books, and we learned a lot about the division. In some cases, there were new things to discover, and, in some cases, we learned our concerns were well founded.  Let’s rock and roll….

GRADES

Chiefs

The Chiefs are the returning division champs and after week one, Mahomes and company look like they are planning on repeating. Patrick Mahomes was 30 of 39 (76.9%) for 360 Yards and 5 touchdowns. Isiah Pacheco had 12 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. Travis Kelce had 12 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Clyde Edwards-Helaire had 7 carries for 42 yards with 3 receptions for 32 yards and 2 touchdowns. The defense had 3 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. Harrison Butker was 1 for 1 on fieldgoals and 4 for 4 on extra points. When you score 44 points in the opening week, you are putting not only the division but the entire AFC on notice.

Grade: A

 

Chargers

The Chargers have been one of the pre-season favorites to make a Super Bowl run and they got off to a great start with a win in their home opener. Justin Herbert was 26 of 34 (76.4%) for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns. Austin Ekeler had 14 carries for 36 yards with 4 receptions for 36 yards. Keenan Allen had 4 receptions for 66 yards. The defense had 6 sacks and 5 tackles for loss with 3 interceptions. Dustin Hopkins was 1 for 2 on fieldgoals and 3 for 3 on extra points. This was a great way to start the season for Chargers.

Grade: A-

 

Raiders

The Raiders were a playoff team last year and created some hype with the additions they made but the offensive line and secondary remained a large concern and for good reason. Derek Carr was 22 of 37 (59.4%) for 295 Yards and 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. Josh Jacobs had 10 carries for 57 yards and 1 reception for 16 yards. Davante Adams had 10 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 5 tackles for loss. Daniel Carlson was 2 for 2 on fieldgoals and 1 for 1 on extra points. The bright spots were watching Davante Adams go nuts and Jacobs averaging 5.7 yards per carry but, when you surrender 6 sacks, fumble 3 times and create no turnovers, you cannot expect to win especially on the road.

Grade: C-

 

Broncos

The Broncos started the Russell Wilson era in primetime against the Seahawks and though it was a close game it did not have a fairytale ending, it was more like a nightmare. Wilson was 29 of 42 (69%) for 340 yards and a touchdown. Melvin Gordon had 12 carries for 58 yards with 2 receptions for 14 yards. Jerry Jeudy had 4 receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss. Brandon McManus was 3 for 4 on fieldgoals and 1 for 1 on extra points. The Broncos got within the 3 yards line and only scored 3 points. They are also the first team since 1987 to lose two fumbles at their opponent’s one yard line. Clock management and going for a 64-yard fieldgoal was, well puzzling to say the very least.

Grade: C

 

PREDICTIONS

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

This will be a flat-out barn burner. The winner will take early control of the division and remain undefeated. Thursday night special too.

Chiefs 31 Chargers 24

Spread: -3.5 Chiefs

Over/Under: 54.5

 

Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders

This should be a great game but injuries and needed adjustments for both teams from week one makes this a very hard game to predict.

Raiders 28 Cardinals 24

Spread: -5.5 Raiders

Over/Under: 51.5

 

Houston Texans at Denver Broncos

The home opener for the Broncos should be great game for them. The offense should be front and center in this game.

Broncos 28 Texans 16

Spread: -10 Broncos

Over/Under: 44

Last Week: 2-1

 

This was a very interesting start to the season but there are a lot of questions still to be answered. Football is back and none too soon.

NFL Season Kickoff and Predictions

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is a process; working together is success.”

-Edward Everett Hale

This start to this season is very different than the last 6 years. The reason: the division is not only the best in the NFL, but there is also much more parity (at least on paper). Each team could win this year. Each team also could lose as well. There are a lot of questions to be answered and boy oh boy does that make it that much more interesting.

The Broncos traded for QB Russell Wilson. The Chargers traded for DE Khalil Mack. The Raiders traded for WR Davante Adams. The Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill (YAHOOOOO).

There are some great additions to each team, but each team also has some serious question marks. Good, bad or indifferent, the game is played on the field and we are less than two weeks away from the start of the 17 game death match.

The Chiefs have owned this division for the last 6 years and the division has produced only 3 wildcard spots during that time. The question is will we see a division that beats the hell out of each other and only the division champion gets into the playoffs or will we send multiple teams to the show. Time will surely tell.

 

DIVISION STAT LEADERS

Passing Yards:

  1. Justin Herbert – 5,175 Yards
  2. Derek Carr – 5,025 Yards
  3. Patrick Mahomes – 4,890 Yards
  4. Russell Wilson – 4,400 Yards

This is the cream of the cream. Not only will Herbert lead the division in passing yards, but he will also lead the NFL. Carr gets arguably the best receiver in the league and one of his best friends to help get him to 5k. Mahomes will knock on the 5k door yet again with his new receiving corps. Wilson will have his career year in Denver.

Rushing Yards:

  1. Javonte Williams – 1,200 Yards
  2. Austin Ekeler – 1,150 Yards
  3. Josh Jacobs – 1,100 Yards
  4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire – 950 Yards

This was bar none the hardest to predict because every team will be using a two headed monster in the run game. Williams will establish himself as the guy in Denver, but Gordon will be in the mix. Ekeler will be the guy for the Chargers and is the best receiving back in the division but the addition on Michel will take some of those carries away. Jacobs will be the lead back for the Raiders but White will be utilized to spell him. Edwards-Helaire is the lead guy in Kansas City but the addition of Jones will take some of the carries away.

Receiving Yards (Wide Receivers):

  1. Davante Adams – 1,700 Yards
  2. Keenan Allen – 1,200 Yards
  3. Mike Williams – 1,050 Yards
  4. Jerry Jeudy – 1,025 Yards
  5. JuJu Smith-Schuster – 1,025

Adams will be the guy in the division and will be top 5 in receiving in the NFL. Allen and Williams will form the only 1,000 yard receiving tandem in the division. Jeudy will top 1,000 yards and Sutton (975 Yards) will just miss giving them a 1,000 yard tandem as well. Smith-Schuster will be the lead guy on the outside for the Chiefs.

Receiving Yards (Tight Ends):

  1. Travis Kelce – 1,125 Yards
  2. Darren Waller – 1,025 Yards
  3. Gerald Everett – 525 Yards
  4. Albert Okwuegbunam – 500 Yards

Kelce will be, well……Kelce. He will be top 2 in receiving yards in the NFL. Waller will bounce back this year and post a 1,000 yard season. Everett will be a solid receiving option. Okwuegbunam could post higher number if he stays healthy.

 

PREDICTIONS

Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals

This will be one of the funniest games to watch all season. There will be lots of offense, but the bigger question is which defense will step up.

Chiefs 31 Cardinals 24

Spread: -4.5 Chiefs

Over/Under: 53.5

 

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers

Nothing like starting the season against a division foe. There are so many sub-stories in this match-up that it is impossible to list them all. Buckle-up!

Chargers 27 Raiders 24

Spread: -3 Chargers

Over/Under: 52

 

Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson returns to Seattle in Prime Time. This one is going to be fun.

Broncos 27 Seahawks 14

Spread: -6 Broncos

Over/Under: 42

 

Football has returned and this is going to be a fantastic season. Every game in this division is must see tv. Buckle up boys, war has been declared!

AFC West Offseason Review: Las Vegas Raiders

Three down, one to go in our series of AFC West Offseason Reviews. The grand finale is that of the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Raiders had a very busy offseason. They started by relieving general manager Mike Mayock of his duties, and choosing not to retain interim head coach, Rich Bissaccia. That began the search of a new front office and coaching staff. A search that led them to former New England Patriots front office/coaching staff members, nabbing Dave Ziegler as general manager and Josh McDaniels as head coach. They rounded out the coaching staff with several former Patriots staff members highlight by offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, but the most notable addition would probably be adding Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator.

From there, the Raiders got busy reloading a roster that had just taken an injury/off the field depleted team to the playoffs, where they would lose to the eventual AFC Champions in the final seconds of the game.

Free Agents Lost:
CB Casey Hayward, WR Zay Jones, QB Marcus Mariota, DT Quinton Jefferson, FB Alec Ingold, LB Nicholas Morrow, DT Solomon Thomas and a few others.

Free Agents Retained:
OT Brandon Parker, DT Johnathan Hankins, OL Jermaine Eluemunor.

Free Agents Added:
EDGE Chandler Jones, DL Bilal Nichols, RB Brandon Bolden, CB Anthony Averett, WR Mack Hollinsm OG Alex Bars, FB Jakob Johnson, CB Darius Phillips, S Duron Harom, WR Keelan Cole, LB Kenny Young, LB Jayon Brown, DT Vernon Butler, WR Demarcus Robinson, RB Ameer Abdullah, EDGE Kyler Fackrell, LB Micah Kiser.

Traded For:
WR Davante Adams, CB Rock Ya-Sin

Traded Away:
EDGE Yannick Ngakoue

Draft Selections Added:
OL Dylan Parham, RB Zamir White, DT Neil Farrell, DT Matthew Butler, OT Thayer Munford Jr, RB Brittain Brown

Notable Undrafted Free Agents Added:
LB Darien Butler, WR Justin Hall, CB Sam Webb

With the overhaul of the front office and coaching staff, it was inevitable that the Raiders would see quite a bit of turnover among the roster, which is evidenced above. The Raiders addressed a few areas in particular. Pass rush by adding Jones, getting younger and more skilled in man coverage by adding Ya-Sin/Averrett, and also replenishing Carr’s WR corps, by trading for the best receiver in football in Davante Adams after Carr’s offense was cut off at the knees last year after the loss of Henry Ruggs III in 2021.

On paper, the Raiders seems to have addressed some concerns on the roster, and re-tooling for the new regime quite well but a few question marks linger. How quickly can the coaching staff implement their scheme, and will wins come sooner or later? Will the young offensive line gel quickly and with the diversity evidenced by other Patriots’ offensive lines over the years? Will the younger Raiders’ secondary be up for the task?

The Raiders’ offseason gives plenty of reason to be confident in the path moving forward, re-tooling an already talented team around a solid QB on offense w/ strong weapons as well as a few notable standout players on defense. It also gives plenty of reason for skepticism including an entirely new front office/coaching staff trying to implement their scheme, an OL that is unproven at best/completely doomed at worst, and an entire team centered around a QB whose career accomplishments include a 0-1 career playoff record over his 9 years.

In a division full of playoff contenders, featuring a perennial AFC favorite like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders are as difficult as the rest of their division foes to predict how they will fare in 2022. I believe certain pieces of their coaching staff has improved, certain pieces of their roster has improved, but it will all depend on how it all comes together this season as to whether they will find themselves in the thick of AFC Playoff contention or trying to keep themselves out of the AFC West basement, like they had finally gotten themselves out of in recent years.

In other words, it’s on you, Josh McDaniels, Derek Carr and company!