The NFL is again, and Sportsnet is breaking down the whole lot you might want to know in regards to the 32 groups seeking to ebook a visit to Tremendous Bowl LVII.
Kickoff for the common season is ready for Thursday, Sept. 8 and at the moment we take a look at the revamped AFC West…
DENVER BRONCOS
2021 document: 7-10-0, final in AFC West, missed playoffs
Notable roster additions: QB Russell Wilson, OT Billy Turner, DE Randy Gregory, DT D.J. Jones, CB Okay’Waun Williams, head coach Nathaniel Hackett
Notable roster subtractions: QB Teddy Bridgewater, QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, head coach Vic Fangio
The excellent news: Denver’s woeful, seven-year experience on the quarterback carousel lastly got here to an finish in March with the acquisition of Russell Wilson, who launches this membership’s projections right into a realm not seen since Peyton Manning took all of them the way in which to the promised land. The previous Seahawk immediately offers this offence the type of can’t-miss high quality that till now has been reserved just for its glorious defence, and that shiny new contract he signed Thursday morning eliminates any questions on how lengthy he’ll be staying.
Wilson’s presence is the reward that may carry on giving to younger playmakers seeking to escape like Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler and mid-level veterans like Courtland Sutton poised to take his recreation to the subsequent stage.
New possession, a brand new head coach, and a brand new beginning quarterback has Broncos Nation bursting with recent voices in management on and off the sphere. Playoffs aren’t merely a chance now – they’re an expectation.
The unhealthy information: The damage bug struck early, ruling Tim Patrick (ACL) out for the season and hindering camp chemistry and pre-season reps for a number of essential items alongside the offensive line together with Billy Turner. Russell is elite relating to pondering on his ft, but when the Broncos can’t hold him on them, it may spell bother in a division as sturdy as this one. Depth could possibly be examined early, and there’s little room for error.
Tremendous Bowl Odds: +1500
Division Title Odds: +260
Wins Complete: 9.5 wins (Over -135/Underneath +115)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
2021 document: 12-5, first in AFC West for sixth straight 12 months, beat Steelers and Payments in playoffs earlier than shedding to Bengals in AFC Championship
Notable roster additions: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, DE Carlos Dunlap, S Justin Reid, LB Jermaine Carter, CB Trent McDuffie (rookie), DE George Karlaftis (rookie), RB Isiah Pacheco (rookie), WR Skyy Moore (rookie)
Notable roster subtractions: WR Tyreek Hill, S Tyrann Mathieu, WR Byron Pringle, OT Mike Remmers, G Kyle Lengthy, DE Melvin Ingram, CB Charvarius Ward, CB Mike Hughes
The excellent news: After an low season of a lot change, three of Kansas Metropolis’s most integral offensive weapons stay: quarterback Patrick Mahomes, high goal Travis Kelce, and the coach who finest understands learn how to use them in head coach Andy Reid. It’ll take a small military to attempt to exchange Tyreek Hill, and Kansas Metropolis has assembled its finest try with a deep group of receivers that features free brokers Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster and speedy rookies like second-round receiver Skyy Moore and operating again Isiah Pacheco, a possible late-round gem. Offence will likely be within the highlight – with Mahomes on the helm, how can it not? – however GM Brett Veach’s efforts to renovate his defence, that includes promising first-rounders in Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis, may carry some pleasure on that facet of the ball because the Chiefs look to return to the Tremendous Bowl look for the third time in 4 years.
The unhealthy information: Whereas Kansas Metropolis introduced in a number of veterans all through the lineup, lots of the most vital job openings – extensive receiver, operating again, move rush and secondary – are being crammed by rookies. That may, after all, be actually good information, however there’s additionally an inherent danger in relying so closely on first-year gamers getting their preliminary reps as professionals, particularly on the defensive facet of the ball. The Chiefs are nonetheless the favourites to win the division, however with the remainder of the AFC West loading as much as problem them for the crown, these rookies may in the end be the distinction.
Tremendous Bowl Odds: +1000
Division Title Odds: +140
Wins Complete: 10.5 wins (Over -115/Underneath -105)
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
2021 document: 10-7, second in AFC West, misplaced to Bengals in Wild Card recreation
Notable roster additions: WR Davante Adams, DE Chandler Jones, OL Dylan Parham (rookie), WR Mack Hollins, CB Rock Ya-Sin, S Duron Harmon, head coach Josh McDaniels
Notable roster subtractions: DE Yannick Ngakoue, LB Okay.J. Wright, LB Cory Littleton, CB Casey Hayward, CB Desmond Trufant, interim head coach Wealthy Bisaccia
The excellent news: The highway by means of 2021 was bumpy, full of twists and turns and turmoil resulting in some main mid-season departures. Within the months since, new GM Dave Ziegler has been busy paving the way in which for a a lot smoother experience in 2022. He introduced in a brand new head coach in Josh McDaniels, prolonged franchise leaders Derek Carr and Maxx Crosby, and gifted each with a brand new teammate that may elevate their respective video games. Carr will likely be throwing TDs to good friend and former school teammate Davante Adams whereas Crosby will likely be setting his sights on opposing QBs reverse fellow edge rusher Chandler Jones. The discharge of underperforming 2021 first-rounder Alex Leatherwood units a precedent that chance with the Raiders waits for nobody and tells the remainder of the division that Vegas is able to win now.
The unhealthy information: If you happen to look across the AFC West you’ll see three different groups echoing that win-now mantra throughout what’s undoubtedly the deepest division in soccer this 12 months. The Raiders have, predictably, one of many hardest strengths of schedule (seventh hardest) and there’s no easing into this one – their first 5 opponents are the Chargers, Cardinals, Titans, Broncos and Chiefs. Stumbling out of the gates may see them enjoying behind the eight ball proper from the beginning. Releasing Leatherwood helped Vegas let go of the previous draft errors from the Mike Mayock period, however holes alongside the offensive line inform us they’re nonetheless paying for the outdated regime’s errors. McDaniels’ first marketing campaign as a head coach (with Denver from 2009-2010) ended with him promptly returning to New England. Will issues be completely different this time?
Tremendous Bowl Odds: +3500
Division Title Odds: +650
Wins Complete: 8.5 wins (Over -115/Underneath -105)
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
2021 document: 9-8, third in AFC West, missed playoffs (and no, it wasn’t due to a sure timeout name…)
Notable roster additions: CB J.C. Jackson, DE Khalil Mack, DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, DT Austin Johnson, OLB Kyle Van Noy, G Zion Johnson (rookie)
Notable roster subtractions: OT Bryan Bulaga, DE Uchenna Nwosu, DT Linval Joseph, CB Chris Harris Jr., TE Jarden Prepare dinner
The excellent news: So long as Justin Herbert is your quarterback, you’re in good palms offensively. This group is loaded. However defensively? That’s been a complete different challenge in L.A. – one which in the end value the soccer world a shot at seeing Herbert take post-season snaps. Fixing the Chargers’ dismal run defence was precedence No. 1 this low season and it confirmed with a collection of signings headlined by the acquisitions of Khalil Mack and Sebastian Joseph-Day and together with Austin Johnson and Kyle Van Noy. The massive-money addition of J.C. Jackson immediately makes L.A.’s secondary extra dynamic. Staley now has items higher suited to his schemes on that facet of the ball, and we’ll quickly discover out what meaning for the destiny of this Chargers’ defence.
The unhealthy information: Contemplating the Chargers’ disastrous damage luck over time, it might be simple to overreact to the information that J.C. Jackson underwent a process only a few quick weeks in the past. Jackson himself referred to as it a “minor setback,” however contemplating how a lot of Staley’s defence relies on his elite skillset, the chance he’ll begin the season on the sideline is understandably worrisome.
Tremendous Bowl Odds: +1400
Division Title Odds: +225
Wins Complete: 10 wins (Over -125/Underneath +105)
