2023 AFC West Prediction

By: Garret Kryzanowski

Today we start with our predictions of the AFC divisions. So I figured it would be fitting to start with the division of the reigning Super Bowl champions the Kansas City Chiefs and the AFC West.

The AFC West is a very interesting division this upcoming season. It is full of big names and all-pro players. There is only one true basement team in this division in my eyes and that is the Las Vegas Raiders. This isn't a knock on Josh Jacobs or Davante Adams at all, it is however a knock on head coach Josh McDaniels. Point blank, he is a bad head coach and was the wrong hire last year, hence why the Raiders are at the bottom of this division.

Now this is where it gets more muddled. The Denver Broncos will finish third in the division but they will have a winning record I believe. They are loaded with talent on offense, especially at receiver with Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Marvin Mims Jr. Jeudy is starting the season coming off an injury in the pre season so we will have to keep an eye on him. At quarterback I expect Russell WIlson to look like his old Pro Bowl self this season. Why? Because Sean Payton is his head coach. Having Payton as the head coach is a complete 180 from last season with Nathaniel Hackett. Payton makes all the difference but even with him and a winning record the Broncos will finish third this season.

That leaves two teams the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs. This will be close but not as close as you all may think. The Chargers will finish a close second in the division behind the Chiefs and secure a playoff spot.

The Los Angeles Chargers have a premier quarterback in Justin Herbert and if the team stays healthy they have as many weapons as any team could want. At receiver they have Keen Allen, Mike Williams and first round pick Quentin Johnston. While at running back they have touchdown machine Austin Ekeler. The X factor for the Chargers this year is offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. He is a bright offensive mind that isn't going to be hindered by the likes of Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys. The Chargers will finish second in the division and make the playoffs for the second straight season.

That just leaves the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. I am picking the Chiefs for the simple reason that they haven't not won their division since Mahomes was the starting quarterback. He is truly a once in a lifetime player and his record speaks for itself and that's why the Chiefs will win their eighth straight division title. Oh right. They also have the best head coach in the NFL in Andy Reid and insane weapons on offense in Travis Kelce, Kadarius Toney and one of my big sleepers this season, Justyn Ross at receiver.

Patrick Mahomes is the best player in the world, no one can deny that. They have won every division championship with him at quarterback, that's a fact. He will be until he is dethroned. I don't see that happening this season or any season in the near future.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be the AFC West champions in the upcoming 2023 NFL season.