With Training Camps in full swing across the league, we continue to overview each NFL Division.
We previously looked at:
NFC South
NFC East
NFC North
NFC West
AFC East
AFC South
AFC West
2023 Standings
Kansas City 11-6
Las Vegas 8-9
Denver 8-9
Los Angeles 5-12
Kansas City beat Miami in the Wild Card Round, Buffalo in the Divisional Round, and the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, advancing to Super Bowl 58, where they beat San Francisco 28-25 in OT.
The Super Bowl title was KC’s 3rd Championship since 2019.
2024 Current Over / Under Projected Win Totals
Kansas City 11.5
Los Angeles 8.5
Las Vegas 6.5
Denver 5.5
Quick Hits
Chiefs – Andy Reid is back, Patrick Mahomes is back, and the Division remains limited; so it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Chiefs aren’t a factor in the AFC Playoffs. This isn’t some unbeatable juggernaut, but it’s a proud team that knows how to win. It doesn’t mean this year will end in a third consecutive championship, but I do think this is a better team than last year’s edition. Former 7th round RB Isiah Pacheco is entering his 3rd year. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry last year, and runs hard between the tackles. Former Raven Hollywood Brown, and 1st round draft pick Xavier Worthy join the receiving core. Fellow WR Rashee Rice had 79 receptions in the regular season, and another 26 in the playoffs. Travis Kelce’s yard per reception dropped to a career low 10.6, but he still had 93 receptions. The O-Line is solid with Joe Thuney, and Creed Humphrey leading the way. Their 2nd round pick this year was OT Kingsley Suamataia. The Defense allowed under 300 points. Chris Jones, and Trent McDuffie are the All-Pros, but there are other defensive players to like. George Karlaftis. Pretty much the whole secondary. KC didn’t get anything from their ’23 1st rounder Felix Anudike-Uzomah – what will he look like this year? Really what is there to say about KC? Mahomes is one of the most gifted QB’s ever, playing in an era that benefits offenses, and he’s shown an ability to produce when it counts the most. They will continue to be a difficult out.
Raiders – The team played hard for Antonio Pierce down the stretch. Now the interim tag has been removed. The Raiders are saying Aiden O’Connell is the starting QB. I feel like Gardner Minshew figures to get a lot of playing time. Josh Jacobs is gone, so 3rd year RB Zamir White is the starter. He had three straight 20 carry games to end ’23, with two of them ending with 100+ rushing yards. Everyone loved the Raiders 1st round pick TE Brock Bowers in the draft. He figures to get plenty of targets. The primary offensive weapon remains WR Davante Adams. The 2nd WR is Jakobi Meyers who had 71 receptions. The O-Line looks to be below average. The D-Line is a strength, but the Secondary is questionable. Overall, I think this is one of the lowest ceiling, and least interesting teams in the league.
Broncos – Bo Nix was a polarizing pick at 12th overall. I think there is a lot to like. He had a ton of college experience, and should be able to play immediately as a Rookie. He’s got the athleticism to extend plays, and good arm talent. I don’t love the RB’s. Maybe Javonte Williams has more explosion this year, 2 years after his ACL? Courtland Sutton, and Josh Reynolds would be more likeable at WR, with one better WR in-front of them. Question at RB, middling WR’s, and Adam Trautman doesn’t look like a great fail-safe for Nix at TE. Maybe 3rd year TE Greg Dulcich comes on? It’s a pretty nameless Defensive Unit, with only Pat Surtain at CB standing out to me. I think the Raiders have a pretty low ceiling. Denver looks a step below Vegas to me.
Chargers – LA is automatically more interesting than Denver and Vegas with Jim Harbaugh at Head Coach, and Justin Herbert at QB. Harbaugh will make the Chargers more physical. The Offensive Line is strong, with 1st rounder (5th overall) Joe Alt being added. They have two former Ravens – Gus Edwards, and JK Dobbins – at RB. Edwards will run through the tackles, and Dobbins (if he can ever stay on the field) has the ability to change games. A very talented QB, a strong O-Line, potential at RB; that’s a recipe that could lead to LA surprising some people. 4th year WR Joshua Palmer averaged 15.3 yards per catch on 38 grabs. He could emerge. DJ Chark also averaged 15 yards per catch on his 35 grabs. LA grabbed WR Ladd McConkey in the 2nd round. Quentin Johnson was a 1st rounder in ’23. More will be asked of him in Year 2. Former Ravens Asst. GM Joe Hortiz is now the Chargers GM. Joey Bosa, and Khalil Mack are the EDGE rushers, with Asante Samuel, Derwin James, and Kristian Fulton all solid in the Secondary. The Chargers probably won’t make the playoffs, but it’s not out of the question. They could easily be a team that nobody enjoys playing.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.