“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:
- Justin Herbert – 5,175 Yards
- Derek Carr – 5,025 Yards
- Patrick Mahomes – 4,890 Yards
- 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:
- Javonte Williams – 1,200 Yards
- Austin Ekeler – 1,150 Yards
- Josh Jacobs – 1,100 Yards
- 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):
- Davante Adams – 1,700 Yards
- Keenan Allen – 1,200 Yards
- Mike Williams – 1,050 Yards
- Jerry Jeudy – 1,025 Yards
- 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):
- Travis Kelce – 1,125 Yards
- Darren Waller – 1,025 Yards
- Gerald Everett – 525 Yards
- 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!