Matt Wiesenfeld
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Predicting NFL win totals is always interesting. It is not just a measure of talent but scheduling and other factors. Time to dive into the Win Total Predictions for AFC West and see the true winners in the division.
Kansas City Chiefs – 10.5
Last year K.C. had a great season as Patrick Mahomes lit it up from beginning to end. That might have been an all timer of a season but there is no reason to think he is not good. The receiving weapons are in place and they were fine without Kareem Hunt anyway. The defense could be better and they have made some moves to try and get there. I like the addition of Tyrann Mathieu but I am not sure it will be enough. If the offense stays electric they will be fine though. The schedule is not too tough so I am leaning to the over even though that is one of the bigger numbers.
Los Angeles Chargers – 10
The Chargers are coming off a good year and pretty much are intact to see if they can go a little further. Philip Rivers is still at the helm and showing no real signs of rust and the rest of the offense is solid. Melvin Gordon is just never going to be an elite back though. On defense they need more from Joey Bosa. Injuries have hurt him but they did find a stud at the back end in Derwin James. Thomas Davis had some good years in Carolina but I am not sure he is a difference maker. 10 wins seems at the very top of the range for this team this season so I am recommending taking the under.
Denver Broncos – 7
The Broncos are looking to get back to winning in 2019 and really turned things over. They moved on from Case Keenum and now have Joe Flacco at QB – I am not sure if that is an upgrade. If he is good the offense could be good enough. The defense has two good edge players in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb but is not as good as it once was elsewhere. Those guys can be monsters though and turn a game. The schedule seems fair as they take on the AFC South and NFC North. Getting over 7 wins is going to be tough though unless others in the division really slide.
Oakland Raiders – 6
The Raiders made a splash by acquiring Antonio Brown but they are so far away from really being competitive I am not sure what the rush was. Derek Carr has had his moments but seems lost and the running game is a joke. On defense they have maybe one player, linebacker Tahir Whitehead, that any other team would actually want. Throw in all the stuff about eventually leaving Oakland for Vegas and it is really hard to find anything positive for this group. The schedule is OK but there are few games where I see them actually being favored. Go with the under here.
