2022 NFL PREDICTIONS - AFC WEST

NFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

The AFC West may be the most fascinating, competitive and exciting division in football this season.

It could also be the toughest division to predict because all four teams have the potential to make the playoffs and finish 1st or 4th.

The Broncos and Raiders made some significant offensive upgrades this summer, creating a lot of optimism among those fan bases.

Still, it is tough to bet against a quarterback with the calibre of Patrick Mahomes, while Justin Herbert and the Chargers also made a lot of noise last season, narrowly missing the playoffs, while their defence upgraded significantly with one new face.

Source (Edited Photo, Background Photo): Getty Images, CBS Sports

Here is a breakdown of every team and where I project they will finish by the end of the regular season.

Las Vegas Raiders

Key Additions

Devante Adams (wide receiver), Chandler Jones (linebacker).

Key Subtractions

Zay Jones (wide receiver), Yannick Ngakoue (defensive end).

Biggest Strength

It is incredible how much one player can change the complexion of a team and acquiring Devante Adams makes a solid receiving corps that much more potent.

The former Packers wideout is among the best in the league and should take a significant amount of pressure off his college teammate, QB Derek Carr plus secondary receivers Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller.

Biggest Weakness

Carr may have more weapons to throw to, but it does not appear like he’ll get much protection up front, as Alex Leatherwood was a disaster in his 2021 rookie campaign, allowing eight sacks, 67 pressures and was flagged 16 times.

Aside from Kolton Miller, they look thin on the offensive line, which should be a concern for Josh McDaniels in his first season as head coach.

Projection- 3rd

If Carr can’t get enough solid protection to find a guy like Adams in stride, we could see him make many mistakes.

Denver Broncos

Key Additions

Russell Wilson (quarterback), Randy Gregory (defensive end).

Key Subtractions

Noah Fant (tight end), Shelby Harris (defensive end).

Biggest Strength

The Broncos have struggled to stabilize the quarterbacking position since Peyton Manning retired.

In Russell Wilson, they get a wise pivot who can make intelligent decisions in the pocket and can still make plays with his legs and arm.

Biggest Weakness

Pass rushing could be an Achilles heel for this group in 2022 as Bradley Chubb has struggled to get to the level they expected because of injuries, while there will be plenty of pressure on Randy Gregory to get to opposing quarterbacks.

Gregory is a solid contributor but has never had more than 47 pressures in a season since joining the league, and they might need more than that to be a solid defensive unit this season.

Projection-4th

Denver should be significantly improved on the offensive side of the ball, but they might have a hard time keeping opposing offences off the field.

Kansas City Chiefs

Key Additions

Ronald Jones (running back), Juju Smith-Schuster (wide receiver).

Key Subtractions

Tyreek Hill (wide receiver), Demarcus Robinson (wide receiver).

Biggest Strength

Patrick Mahomes is the biggest asset this team possesses; however, it seems wrong to ignore the offensive line that has been sensational for this quarterback phenom.

Creed Humphrey was among the top graded rookie blockers in 2021, while Orlando Brown Jr., Joe Thuney and Lucas Niang provided some great protection and allowed their star pivot to make his magic happen.

Biggest Weakness

Generating enough pressure along the edge could be a trouble spot for Andy Reid and his team heading into 2022.

Frank Clark had a difficult 2021 season, barely generating any pressure. Chris Jones was arguably their best edge rusher, and he’s a 310-pound interior lineman, which is not a very encouraging sign that he can carry the load all by himself.

Projection- 1st

They may have lost a dimension to their game with the departure of Tyreek Hill, but great quarterbacks like Mahomes find a way to make do with what they got, and there are still plenty of talented receivers on this team and stopping this deadly offensive unit will still take some doing.

Los Angeles Chargers

Key Additions

Khalil Mack (linebacker), J.C. Jackson (cornerback).

Key Subtractions

Kyzir White (linebacker), Jared Cook (tight end).

Biggest Strength

Led by Joey Bosa, the Chargers are scary good at the edge rush position, with Bosa producing 68 pressures in 2021, while Khalil Mack will make opposing teams think twice about doubling the four-time LA Pro-Bowler.

The Chargers have an elite defensive line and those two individuals mentioned are perhaps the best in the NFL at their positions.

Biggest Weakness

Up the middle in the defensive line’s interior, Brandon Staley’s team might have a tough time as they were 30th in run defence last year.

Projection- 2nd

Justin Herbert and the passing game were third in the league in that department last season, while their secondary was in the middle of the pack in 12th.

Another year for Herbert and his talented group of receivers, plus the depth along the edge, should allow them to produce their share of big plays and put them in the hunt for the playoffs until the end of the year.