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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS:
The Post-season bug-a-boo struck the Chiefs yet again in season XLVI. After destroying the league while rolling up a 16-1 regular season record, KC would be dumped by the New England Patriots in a stunning playoff upset. The disappointing playoff trend is well documented and has left Chiefs' fans in utter anguish. The team has all the weapons any owner and coach would dream of having but that post-season Gorilla has to go!
It is hard to put into perspective just how incredibly dominant Kansas City was last year. QB Patrick Mahomes was amazing, HB Isiah Pacheco led the league in rushing with nearly 3000 yards, and the defense annihilated teams with over 120 sacks on the season! Mahomes would throw for 5403 yards with a near impossible 46 touchdowns, just 5 interceptions, and a 127.3 QBR! Pacheco blazed his way to a PFL record 2727 yards with 27 touchdowns and a 6.1 YPC average! WRs Kadarius Toney, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Skyy Moore each had over 1000 yards receiving. The trio amassed 3800 total yards, 215 receptions, and a stunning combined 17.67 YPC number! Oh, and let's not forget the great Travis Kelce who joined the party with 105 more catches for 1230 additional yards! In a nutshell, folks, this was a total redefining of the meaning of the word juggernaut! And, to add insult to injury, consider that KC was able to tab rookie LT Kansas Jayhawk Dominick Puni to take control of Mahomes' blindside.
The defense you ask? Stop it! Ends Charles Omenihu and George Karlaftis combined for 23 sacks and 41 TFLs. DT Chris Jones blasted his way to 19 sacks and 26 TFLs. Rookie MLB Leo Chanal put up 9 more sacks and 17 TFLs while fellow ILB Nick Bolton gobbled up 7.5 more traps and 15 TFLs. Oh, that's right, lest we forget, ROLB Aaron Donkor chipped in a remarkable 17.5 sacks and 30 TFLs! CBs L'Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie are complete lockdown weapons and FS Justin Reed is a stud. So, did they decline at all one may ask? Hell no! KC was able to go out and draft Mississippi State Rebel OLB Dorian Jones and Auburn Tiger SS Justin Avant to easily fill the few holes they may have had.
Outlook: Well, let's be honest here, if ya threw a blind person into the ocean and asked that individual to find water the odds would be better that Kansas City will win at least 16 games again! But, man oh man, those playoffs...
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS:
Dynamic USC Trojan QB Caleb Williams is in Sin City and everyone is betting he will star in Vegas. The Raiders are excited after over-achieving last season. They would be dumped by the Texans in the playoffs, but that did not dim an, otherwise, terrific campaign...More is expected this year.
With Williams under center, one can anticipate more success from backs Josh Jacobs and Zamir White. Jacobs rushed for nearly 2000 yards and 21 touchdowns despite missing significant playing time. White ran for 959 yards and 11 touchdowns in Jacobs' absence and in the reserve role! Vegas has a bevy of wide receivers who can run and catch. Lightening fast Tre Tucker and Davante Adams each went over 1000 yards receiving last season. Notre Dame alum TE Michale Meyer is expected to improve on his rookie season numbers. The offensive line is a bit of a mixed bag but more than capable of performing at a very high level.
The defense has a very different feel to it for sure. Ends Byron Young and Bilal Nichols should start. Baylor Bear rookie end Gabe Hall should see time as well. The Silver and Black swiped DT Arik Armstead from the 49ers in free agency hoping his speed and quickness can improve in Vegas from his 7.5 sack, 11 TFL total from last season. NT Neil Farrell returns after posting a fine 8.5 sack, 20 TFL campaign last season. Edge rushers Maxx Crosby and Tyree wilson will be asked to do much of the same duty as last year when they combined for 37 sacks and 57 TFLS! 4th round selection Texas Tech Red Raider Leonard Gordon could see time as the cover backer on the outside. Smallish MLB Divine Deablo had 11 sacks, 34 TFLs, 3 interceptions, and 3 deflections last season as a very disruptive force despite his size. Troy Anderson saw more time than Robert Spillane last season with 5.5 sacks, 26 TFLs, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. CBs Nate Hobbs, Tyler Hall, and Jakorian Bennett form one of the best trios in the PFL and can flat out cover. Safeties Marcus Epps and Tre'Von Moehrig are solid.
Outlook: Vegas can play ball folks and could challenge the mighty Chiefs when they meet in weeks 2 and 5! They are a solid bet to at least be a playoff team and can be a factor once they get there.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS:
Well, it can only get better in LA right? The team added some hi-octane weapons to aid QB Justin Herbert and it is anyone's guess as to where this team is headed...
Herbert has not lived up to his annual top billing. So, the Bolts went out and got the strong armed gunslinger some weapons and now it is put up or shut up time. Ohio State Buckeye stud WR Marvin Harrison was the first name taken in this year's draft and he is expected to jump start an offense that already featured Mike Williams. The Chargers signed Cleveland Brown WR Donovan Peoples-Jones to fill out the unit. Peoples-Jones had 44 receptions with 5 touchdowns and a nice 15.2 YPC stat line last season. Harrison's teammate, Treveyon Henderson, was taken in the 2nd round to give the club a top tier running back. The offensive line is solid across the board.
The defense is young and promising. Washington Huskie rookie Bralen Trice will be on one end with Scott Matlock the probable starter on the right side. Sophomore NT Otito Ogbonnia will have to get to the dinner table quicker now that mammoth Texas Longhorn rookie NT T'Vonde Sweat has arrived. Sweat weighs 355 LBs with 92 strength and could be an anchor at the 1-tech spot. Joey Bosa and Cincinnati Bengal free agent pickup Alton Robinson will be the OLBs with Bosa seen more as an edge rusher. Eric Kendricks, Daiyan Henley, and Kenneth Murray could all vie for playing time in the MLB role. JC Jackson, Asante Samuel, and Michael Davis are a nice group at the corner positions. Derwin James is an elite SS. Vanderbilt Commodore rookie FS Frank Tucker should start but super fast JT Woods might be a player the Bolts need to find a role for.
Outlook: It was dismal last season but the influx of offensive weapons could get Herbert going and this team can be dangerous. How well the defense holds up, particularly if it cannot generate enough pass rush, could be the key to the success or failure of the club this year.
DENVER BRONCOS:
Denver struggled last season due to a lack of leadership and, as of this writing, remains rudderless. Without a steady hand running the show the Denver Herd will continue to run amok...
A bad contract has 35 year old QB Russell Wilson decaying in the Mile High City with no end in sight. Tailback Javonte Williams is a solid runner. WRs Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Marvin Mims is a solid group although Jeudy's well documented propensity for dropping the ball continues to hound him. TE Greg Dulcich is the best they have and the position could use an upgrade. Duke Blue Devil rookie C Graham Barton will be the new centerpiece of a pretty talented offensive line.
Defensive end Denico Autrey had a solid 14.5 sack, 25 TFL year last season but the opposite side is a project, at best, where Zach Allen will likely start. D.J Jones and Ex-Lion John Penisini seem the top duo inside. The two did not have great seasons last year and could be a soft spot. The linebacking unit seems lacking as well. Aged Randy Gregory and Baron Browning are on the outside with Alex Singleton and Drew Sanders on the inside. The CB positon is, however, a bright spot. Patrick Surtain is elite and the Broncos took Iowa Hawkeye Cooper DeJean with the 3rd overall pick in the draft! Damarri Mathis is a capable third DB back there. FS Justin Simmons will be paired with another rookie, Michigan Wolverine SS Rob Moore, who was taken in the 3rd round.
Outlook: Without a staff in place and considering the amount of holes this team has, it is hard to envision a successful season out in Denver this year.
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