I’m back! After a long
offseason away from the NFL, I have returned to bestow upon you my 100%
accurate predictions for the upcoming season. For those of you who are no
longer interested in the needless violence of the NFL, this is the perfect blog
for you! By reading my predictions, you will be free from having to watch a
single game this season, as you will know all the results before they even
happen. How perfect.
This year, I’ll be
breaking down my predictions by division, and per my traditional order, I’ll be
starting with my beloved AFC West. So, read up, enjoy, and stay tuned for
predictions for each NFL division, as Brosh Knows Football breaks down each
team and why they are certain to fail/succeed this season. Enjoy!
Let's begin...
Let's begin...
The AFC West is clearly
one of the weakest divisions in the NFL. The Chiefs are in pseudo-rebuild mode,
as they transition from the always consistent Alex Smith to the completely
unpredictable Patrick Mahomes II (not Jr.?). The Chargers live in perpetual
mediocrity. The Raiders have fully committed to a coach who hasn’t held a
clipboard in 10 years. And the Broncos seem to have accepted the fact that they
may never have a quarterback worth a damn ever again. So, who will win this
horrible division?
Los Angeles Chargers
(Last Season: 9-7)
2018 Prediction: 10-6
The Chargers are back.
Well, I guess they are back by default. In a division where the best team just
shipped their quarterback off to Washington D.C., the Chargers stand poised to
finally make a run in the playoffs. Rivers is as solid a starter as any in the
NFL, the offensive weapons are lethal, and the defense is having a renaissance,
as they surge to prominence behind the incredible talent of star defensive end,
Joey Bosa.
Los Angeles nearly broke
through last season; however, a couple of unlucky breaks kept them from winning
the division, or even making the playoffs. For a team with a point differential
of +83 last season, a mediocre 9-7 finish was certainly disappointing. However,
it is for that exact reason that I expect the Chargers to bounce back this
season and take the division. Luck has to eventually fall their way, right?
Kansas City Chiefs (Last
Season: 10-6)
2018 Prediction: 9-7
While switching
quarterbacks is generally a sign of big changes for a franchise, this one
should go over much more smoothly than what is typical. Mahomes has had a full
season to learn the offense, without the concerns of getting injured or
mentally scarred via a rough rookie season. Additionally, he has the benefit of
getting to work with many of the Chiefs’ explosive weapons. I imagine Mahomes
to make a smooth transition, similar to Aaron Rodgers’ introduction to the
league circa 2008. Like Mahomes, Rodgers was able to step into an established offense
before the Packers had a chance to fade from relevancy. This great situation
will be key to Mahomes’ future success.
While I don’t see Kansas
City depreciating much during this transition year, I’ve curbed my expectations
a bit, only predicting a 9 win season for the Chiefs. However, I think it will
be enough to make the playoffs in a conference without too many clear-cut top
contenders. With a solid defense (even after the departure of Marcus Peters)
and an elite homefield advantage, the Chiefs will be a difficult team to beat
for all opponents this season.
Oakland Raiders (Last
Season: 6-10)
2018 Prediction: 5-11*
Look, I’m doing my best
not to get on the Chucky hype train, but it’s hard not to get at least a little
excited. Gruden brings hope to a city that is looking for one more playoff run
before they ship off to Vegas. Additionally, this team is only 1 season removed
from an impressive 12-win regular season, one that could have been even better,
had it not been for Derek Carr breaking his leg in Week 16. Still, you have to
question some decision-making from the get go. Mack is still holding out, as
Gruden and McKenzie refuse to pay the best defensive end in the world what he
is worth. Gruden cut one of the best punters in the league for no apparent
football reason. And Gruden had final say on drafting offensive lineman Kolton
Miller, a player who was projected to be a second round pick, and a player at a
position that was not high priority for the Raiders.
Oakland needs defensive
upgrades if they want to succeed. Instead, their best defensive player is
watching pre-season games instead of playing in them. Reggie Nelson is
inexplicably still starting at safety. And the team failed to make any
meaningful upgrades at cornerback and linebacker, where they desperately need
an injection of talent. On top of all that, Carr will now have to learn a new
system, under a new coach for the fourth time in five years. Consistency is key
for a quarterback to succeed, as instincts need to be razor sharp. Gruden might
be able to succeed in the future, but I have low expectations for his first
season back on the sidelines in 10 years.
Denver Broncos (Last
Season: 5-11)
2018 Prediction: 5-11
Having made no
improvements from last season, and still struggling to find an answer at
quarterback, I have zero faith in Denver returning to winning ways this season.
The defense is still great, but they are only getting older and slower (though
the addition of Bradley Chubb should help slow the decline). Meanwhile, the
offense continues to stagger behind, leaving little in the hopes of optimism in
Colorado.
If Denver are to dig
themselves out of the bottom of the AFC West, Case Keenum may need to elevate
his play. Once a forgotten backup, Keenum proved in Minnesota that he is worthy
of a starting job in the NFL. However, when he was starting in Minnesota, his
primary job was to not mess up, since the team was already stacked with talent.
He was able to do that well, leading the Vikings to the NFC Championship game.
Unfortunately for Keenum, elevating the woeful Broncos will be a much tougher
task. Having won just 5 games last season, I don’t believe Keenum is enough of
an improvement to dig the Broncos out of the AFC West basement.
So, as you can see, the
AFC West is horrible. I wonder if the AFC North is any good…
*Correction: A previous version of this post said that the Raiders would win 7 games. After the Mack trade, that prediction is no longer accurate. This post has been revised to reflect the proper prediction of a record of 5-11 for Oakland this season.
