Muddled State

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.

“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!

Well gentlemen (and lord), the wait is finally over. We are a day away from the draft and this one is going to be very interesting.

The Chiefs have 12 picks with two picks in each of the first four rounds. This should help them refortify the team. The Chargers have 10 picks with four in the final round. The Broncos have 9 picks after trading multiple selections for QB Russell Wilson. The Raiders have 5 picks after trading their top two picks for WR Davante Adams.

This mock will be the first three picks for each team. Let’s rock and roll….

Denver Broncos
Team Needs: OT, TE, LB
Picks #64 Abraham Lucas, OT Washington State
Lucas is a big right tackle with the frame to wall off defenders. With Russell Wilson at the helm, protecting him becomes priority number one. Lucas should be the starter for years to come.

Pick #75 Isaiah Likely, TE Coastal Carolina
Likely is smooth and instinctive in the open-field after the catch. He is a vertical threat with very good speed. Teams will have to game plan for him and he will give Wilson an outstanding weapon to go with Albert O.

Pick #96 Brian Asamoah, ILB Oklahoma
Asamoah is one of the most explosive off-ball linebackers. He is good in coverage and has the speed to match up with backs. He will push for playing time in year one.

Las Vegas Raiders
Team Needs: OT, DT, WR
Pick #86 Daniel Faalele, OT Minnesota
Faalele is a massive right tackle with exceptional height, bulk and arm length. He has the power to overwhelm defenders in the run game. McDaniels has had success with big right tackles in his offense.

Pick #126 Matthew Butler, DT Tennessee
Butler has the active hands, body control and top-end speed to develop into a disruptive interior pass-rusher. He is also able to play in either line set which is a requirement for the hybrid defense deployed by the Raiders.

Pick #164 Tyquan Thornton, WR Baylor
Thornton has good instincts and the ability to create separation on the move. He’s a vertical threat with elite speed. This is exactly what the Raiders need for their offense.

Los Angeles Chargers
Team Needs: OT, DT, LB
Pick #17 Trevor Penning, OT Northern Iowa
Penning is an outstanding run blocker and relentless mauler who overwhelms defenders at the point of attack. Add him to last year’s pick and the Chargers have a set of the best bookends in the NFL.

Pick #79 Phidarian Mathis, DT Alabama
Mathis has the long arms to lock out blockers. He locates the ball quickly and explodes to and through ball carriers. He is really good against the run and has pass rush ability, that is something the Chargers really need.

Pick #123 Brandon Smith, ILB Penn State
Smith is a rangy run-defender who flies around the field and has outstanding speed. A true thumper in the middle is something that is needed to improve the Chargers horrible run defense.

Kansas City Chiefs
Team Needs: WR, EDGE, ILB
Pick #29 Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas
Burks is a thickly built receiver who excels after the catch and is a mismatch. He is AJ Brown 2.0 but because of his 40 time at the Combine he slips to the bottom of the draft and right into Andy Reid’s hands. What a steal.

Pick #30 Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Mafe has one of the fastest get-offs in this class. He has impressive torso flexibility and explosive finishing burst. He should be great on the other side of Frank Clark.

Pick #50 Christian Harris, ILB Alabama
Harris is a sideline-to-sideline run-defender who sifts through traffic and closes well. He is a great fit and is a technical guru with defensive schemes.

There are going to be a lot of trades and a lot of surprises in this draft. Not sure how it is all going to play out but it should make for some interesting tv. Here is to hoping your team shits the bed. Til then………FO!

Well gentlemen, we are a little over two weeks away from the 2022 NFL Draft and things have never been more exciting in the division. With all of the free agent signings and trades, the division is a lot tighter and the draft has become a required success for each and every team.

The Mock Draft will cover each teams top three picks.
Let’s get it…

Denver Broncos
Team Needs: LB, TE, OT
Pick #64 Trey McBride, TE Colorado State
McBride is a reliable target with great hands and a above average blocker in the run game. With the Broncos trading Fant and with Okwuegbunam’s injury history, getting another quality tight end is a must.

Pick #75 Troy Anderson, LB Montana State
Anderson is an athletic freak with Wide Receiver speed. He is also a tackling machine and would be a instant plug and play guy.

Pick #96 Rasheed Walker, OT Penn State
Walker will need some time to develop but should be ready to start sooner rather than later. The Broncos have been a revolving door at Right Tackle. Drafting Walker should put that to rest.]

Las Vegas Raiders
Team Needs: IDL, OT, WR
Pick #86 Phidarian Mathis, DT Alabama
Mathis has size, strength and the ability to play in any defensive front. He also has some pass rush ability.

Pick #126 Abraham Lucas, OT Washington State
Lucas has size, power and movement skills that make him an excellent pass protector. He is pretty good in the run game.

Pick #164 Tyquan Thornton, WR Baylor
Thornton is the fastest receiver in the draft and that is exactly what the Raiders need to add to the team. He has the ability to take the top off of the defense but he will have to add some weight and muscle.

Los Angeles Chargers
Team Needs: OT, DT, WR
Pick #17 Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Penning a flat out mauler and plays with a chip on his shoulder. This would give the Chargers a set of the best bookends in the game and open up their offense even more.

Pick #79 John Ridgeway, DT Arkansas
Ridgeway is a big, strong Nose Tackle that is almost impossible to move in the run game and will be a beast in the middle.

Pick #123 Calvin Austin, WR Memphis
Austin is short (5’8″) but he is a flat out burner and a nightmare to cover. This guy in the slot will be a fantastic option for the Chargers offense.

Kansas City Chiefs
Team Needs: WR, DE, ILB
Pick #29 Skyy Moore, WR Western Michigan
Moore was the best all-around Wide Receiver prospect at the Combine. He does everything really well and can play both in the slot and on the outside.

Pick #30 David Ojabo, DE Michigan
Ojabo was considered a top 10 pick but because of his injury (Torn Achilles) he slips down to the Chiefs and they get the steal of the draft.

Pick #50 Christian Harris, LB Alabama
Harris is a high-upside athlete with fantastic coverage skills. He is a great fit and is a technical guru with defensive schemes.

The draft is going to be so interesting this year. How many remotes will get destroyed? How much alcohol will be consumed? Will there be more celebrations or commiserations? Stay tunned……Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel.

“there is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”
― Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings

While attending the National War College, this book was required reading. Since the start of free agency, each team in the AFC West has applied this mentality and have left the rest of the NFL in its dust. The strength of this division is unbelievable and we are still in the middle of free agency with the NFL Draft still to come.

Each year you see a team or two make a big trade or a big free agent signing. What you do not see is a entire division make huge moves that propel it leaps and bounds ahead of the entire NFL. This season will be a downright bloodbath and every week a team in this division will be in a featured game.
Let’s look at the moves each team has made so far….

Denver Broncos:
QB Josh Johnson, QB Russell Wilson, OT Calvin Anderson, OL Tom Compton, DE Randy Gregory, DT D.J. Jones, DT DeShawn Williams, LB Josey Jewell, LB Malik Reed, LB Alex Singleton

The Broncos went all in to get a pro-bowl quarterback and did so with the trade for Russell Wilson. They surrendered 5 draft picks and 3 players to get him and a draft pick but if he can regain his pro-bowl form, this team could be in the mix for a playoff spot. They also were able to sign Gregory who is a terror on the edge.

Kansas City Chiefs
QB Chad Henne, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, OT Orlando Brown, DE Frank Clark, S Justin Reid

The Chiefs did not need to do much but resigning Brown and Clark was very smart. Adding JuJu Smith-Schuster should be great as he will see more one on one coverages on this team than he has ever seen before.

Las Vegas Raiders
QB Garrett Gilbert, RB Ameer Abdullah, RB Brandon Bolden, FB Jakob Johnson, WR Davante Adams, DE Maxx Crosby, DE Chandler Jones, DT Bilal Nichols, CB Anthony Averett, CB Rock Ya-Sin

The Raiders new brain trust started slow but boy oh boy when they did get started. Resigning Crosby was a must and they got it done. To stay up with the rest of the teams in the division, they went out and traded for arguably the best receiver in the NFL and one of the most consistent sack artist as well.

Los Angeles Chargers
QB Chase Daniel, WR Mike Williams, TE Gerald Everett, DT Christian Covington, DT Austin Johnson, DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, LB Khalil Mack, CB J.C. Jackson, LS Josh Harris, K Dustin Hopkins

This was the year that TT and the Chargers decided to swing for the fences and so far it is clean out of the park. He resigned Williams after a career year. Bringing the interception machine that is Jackson to the team was not enough, they also went out and traded for the sack machine that is Mack.

The quarterbacks in the division are second to none. The defensive ends are sick. The receivers are top tier. There are just so many good football players in this division with more to come.

Which ever team/s make it to the playoffs from this division, they will be completely battle tested and should make a deep run. No coach can complain that they don’t have the talent to win as each GM has really done their jobs to this point with the draft to come.

There are some serious football warriors in the AFC West and we should see some incredible football this year. Buckle up gents, it is going to be a fun ride.

“The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and the only reason a warrior fights is to win”
― Miyamoto Musashi, A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy

Well gentlemen, the season has come to an end. The NFL Combine has come and gone and we are a week away from the start of free agency. The season was interesting as the division recorded the second best record (38-30) and two teams make it to the playoffs (could have been three if not for a stupid timeout).

The division saw changes at Head Coach in Denver and Las Vegas. The Broncos brought in Nathaniel Hackett. He is a offensive minded coach that has a history working with quarterbacks. They will need this regardless of them drafting one or bringing in a veteran (Aaron Rodgers anyone?). The Raiders brought in Josh McDaniels. They also brought in Dave Zeigler as their new GM. The former Patriot duo come to a team that made the playoffs and are looking to do more.

Let’s do this……..

Denver Broncos
Team Needs: QB, Edge, LB
Pick #9: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

This kid is the most NFL ready of the quarterbacks in the draft and he has that it factor you look for. More than anything, Head Coach Hackett has a history of developing quarterbacks and this kid fits what he likes in a quarterback.

Dream Free Agent: Aaron Rodgers
This is a possibility but the Packers have made Rodgers an offer that will rewrite the quarterback market, believed to be a 4 year contract at $50 Million a year. This would be a great get for the Broncos but I don’t think he will be leaving Green Bay.

Los Angeles Chargers
Team Needs: OT, Edge, IDL
Pick#17: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

The “Big Nasty” came from a small school but earned a invite to the Senior Bowl and the Combine and boy did he show out. He man handled everyone he went against and ran a 4.89 at 325 LBS. This guy along with Rashawn Slater will give the Chargers one of the best sets of young Tackles in the NFL.

Dream Free Agent: NT Foley Fatukasi
The Chargers gave up 144 rushing yards a game and have to get better. This kid is monster against the run and is one of the best space eaters in the game and is only 26 years old.

Las Vegas Raiders
Team Needs: IDL, WR, IOL
Pick# 22: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

This guy is flat out electric and would have been the first receiver off the board if he had not torn his ACL in the College Football Championship. The new regime has said they will take the best player available and this guy is it. He will not be ready until December at the earliest but what he brings to the table is unmatched.

Dream Free Agent: CB J.C. Jackson
When you are in a division with Mahomes and Herbert, you need an outstanding secondary. Adding a shutdown corner like Jackson to the mix would give the Raiders one of the best in the league.

Kansas City Chiefs
Team Needs: WR, Edge, S
Pick# 30: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

This kid is not just a burner, he is a very smart player. Teaming him up with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce will be a nightmare for every defense in the league. He is a legit threat at every level in the route tree. Defending the Chiefs passing attack just got that much more difficult.

Dream Free Agent: WR D.J. Chark
This guy would be the perfect fit into Andy Reid’s offense as the #2 receiver. He has the speed to take the top off of the defense and the size to be a red zone threat.

There will be a follow up after free agency is complete and prior to the draft. Here is to the start of the 2022 NFL Season.