As the NFL season is right around the corner, optimism is at its finest. Every team is 0-0, tied for first place. No team has been eliminated from the postseason yet. Every rivalry’s bragging rights are still up for the taking. Every player could have THAT career-defining year. The point of these articles is to give every team’s hopeful season and every team’s disaster season. While some teams’ best scenarios involve Super Bowls, other teams are simply hoping for signs of great potential from young players. I will disregard injuries in worst case scenarios (unless talking about an injury-prone player) because obviously anyone can get injured in football. This article will focus on the four AFC West teams: Denver, San Diego, Oakland and Kansas City.
BEST AND WORST CASE SCENARIOS IN THE AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Best Case: The Denver Broncos win games by a lot of points. This team has a lot of talent on it, but Peyton Manning is the X-factor. Giving him rest at the end of games is key to limit his usage. Denver builds up a big enough lead where they rest Manning against teams like Chicago or Oakland. CJ Anderson having a big year in Gary Kubiak’s run heavy system reduces the hits that he takes. 2015 features a lot of quick hit plays to stars Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas. Denver’s defense is good as well. They force turnovers off a good pass rush and Denver wins the AFC West again. With a first round bye, Denver can try for one more postseason run before Manning likely retires.
Worst Case: Peyton Manning’s age is very clear in 2015. Not at first, as Denver gets off to a good start. But it becomes clear as Manning’s fatigue catches up starting in week eight. Denver has a brutal stretch of six games against Green Bay, Indianapolis (road), Kansas City, Chicago (road) New England and San Diego (road). Chicago is the only “good chance of winning” game in this stretch. Denver is in real trouble as they lose four of these matchups. Yes, Denver is talented. But they miss red-zone target Julius Thomas. Let’s also remember that their defense, despite forcing turnovers, gave up 22.1 points per game in 2014. With a fatigued Manning leading the way, the Broncos finish around .500 and miss the playoffs.
San Diego Chargers
Best Case: San Diego had a non-existent run game in 2014, so first round draft choice Melvin Gordon proves to be a great addition. Philip Rivers may not be the best quarterback in the NFL, but he is consistent and allows the Chargers to always contend. Don’t count out the addition of Stevie Johnson as well, who is expected to have a comeback year in 2015. The Chargers offense is much improved in 2015. Add in a good defense that finished top 10 in yards per game allowed and top 15 in points allowed per game in 2014 and the Chargers win the AFC West.
Worst Case: The AFC West is very good this year. Denver and Kansas City are obviously contenders while Oakland is on the rise. With Antonio Gates suspended the first four games, Ladarius Green struggles in his spot and San Diego gets off to a cold start. The Chargers only scored six touchdowns on the ground in 2014, and 2015 proves to be more of the same, as first round draft choice Melvin Gordon doesn’t fix the lackluster ground attack. San Diego struggles in a strong division and finishes around .500, missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
Oakland Raiders
Best Case: The Raiders likely aren’t going to make the playoffs this season in a division that features Denver, San Diego and Kansas City. However, this team is on the rise and will absolutely compete. Derek Carr looks like a future franchise quarterback in 2015. Carr finished last year in good form, throwing for 7 touchdowns and one interception in his final four games. He now has a new talent in first round draft choice Amari Cooper to utilize every Sunday and if the Raiders can find any sort of running game, they should be able to score points. This season heavily depends on the development of Carr, Cooper and second year linebacker Khalil Mack. All are studs and should be a big part of the future.
Worst Case: The Raiders have another down year and Carr proves not to be the quarterback of the future. The running game finishes last in the NFL again while the defense literally cannot stop anyone. The team was outscored 243-110 IN THE FIRST HALF in 2014 and shows little improvement in 2015. The Raiders are obviously loved by the city of Oakland, but relocation rumors begin to grow after another disappointing year for the silver and black.
Kansas City Chiefs
Best Case: Kansas City has the talent to win the AFC West in 2015 and does exactly that. Alex Smith is not the best quarterback in the NFL, but he makes good decisions and finally has weapons in the passing game. Not only is Jamaal Charles fully healthy and ready to go again, but Travis Kelce and new target Jeremy Maclin are ready to flourish in a new-look Chiefs offense. Add in a scary good pass rush led by Justin Houston and the Chiefs are not only AFC West Champs but can win playoff games as well. Arrowhead rocks every Sunday as the Chiefs are one of the better teams in the NFL in 2015.
Worst Case: Kansas City’s offense primarily revolves around Jamaal Charles. On the ground, through the air, there is no shortage of touches for the Chief’s running back. However, last season Charles dealt with injuries all season and Kansas City missed the playoffs. The same could easily happen in 2015. The Chiefs are talented on defense, but 2015 could be another year where Alex Smith does not throw a touchdown to a receiver. Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce are both skilled, but does Smith have a good enough arm to consistently get them the ball? It would be a waste of talent for Kansas City to miss the playoffs as they hover around .500.
