Denver Broncos
Pros: As long as Peyton Manning is healthy, the offense is guaranteed to be great. More than likely, it'll be one of the top three best in the league. The defense was bad last year, but will likely improve with the addition of DeMarcus Ware and a non-suspended Von Miller.
Cons: Wes Welker will not be with the team for its first four games, which will probably hurt them in the short term. If a team can stop the passing game, the Broncos are pretty well fucked. Unless, like I said, the defense has improved dramatically.
Overall: While the Broncos are probably the most talented team in the AFC, the Welker suspension will hurt them in the records. I think they'll still make the playoffs, but I don't know how far their season goes after that.
Predicted Record: 11-5, 2nd
Kansas City Chiefs
Pros: The Chiefs stayed the same while the Broncos got worse (in the short term anyway). Remember, the Chiefs won 11 games last year.
Cons: The Chiefs only allowed 12.3 points per game before their bye week. They gave up 27.7 after they came back. A similar fade at around the same time this season would be absolutely catestrophic with the Seahawks, Broncos, Chargers and Cardinals all on the docket.
Overall: The Chiefs benefit the most from the Welker suspension and ride that all the way to the AFC's top seed.
Predicted Record: 13-3, 1st
Oakland Raiders
Pros: The team added a lot of talent in the offseason through free agency and the draft. The players they got could have a good impact on the team...
Cons: Or they couldn't.
Overall: No matter how you slice it, the Raiders are going to be bad next year. How bad they will actually be is anyone's guess, but they're easily the worst team in the division.
Predicted Record: 3-13, 4th
San Diego Chargers
Pros: Mike McCoy seems to have solved the Philip Rivers puzzle, getting him to his former Pro Bowl-self.
Cons: That defense isn't very intimidating in the slightest.
Overall: The Chargers made the playoffs by winning enough games to qualify, yes, but a lot of luck had to go into it as well. I don't think the team is really separated from the throngs of so-so teams that make up the conference.
Predicted Record: ###
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One more division to go. Tune in!
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