ESPN predict Chiefs will win AFC W, take 2nd in AFC

[Couch-Potato]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/insider/story...rojections-nfl


AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 12-4 (11.6 mean wins; SOS: 29)
2. San Diego Chargers: 8-8 (8.4 mean wins; SOS: 31)
3. Denver Broncos: 7-9 (7.1 mean wins; SOS: 13)
4. Oakland Raiders: 6-10 (6.4 mean wins; SOS: 14)

The AFC West has our most controversial projections for 2016, none more so than saying the defending champion Broncos are more likely to have a losing record than a winning record in 2016...
Replacing the Broncos as the likely AFC West standard bearers are the Chiefs. This is only a surprise if you don't realize just how good the Chiefs were last year when they finished the season with 10 straight wins. Even incorporating their 1-5 start, the Chiefs ended up with a higher overall DVOA (fifth) than the Broncos (eighth). One big question here will be the health of pass-rusher Justin Houston. We don't know if he'll be ready by September or miss the whole year; for this projection, we assumed he would miss half the season. But while the Chiefs are definitely not as strong on defense without Houston, they won the last five games in that 10-game streak with Houston stuck on the sidelines...

Full AFC projected playoff standings

Here's what the 2016 AFC playoff picture would look like according to our early projections.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
3. New England Patriots (10-6)
4. Houston Texans (8-8)
5. Cincinnati Bengals* (10-6)
6. Baltimore Ravens* (10-6)
7. Buffalo Bills (9-7)
8. San Diego Chargers (8-8)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)
10. Denver Broncos (7-9)
11. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
12. Tennessee Titans(7-9)
13. Oakland Raiders (6-10)
14. New York Jets (6-10)
15. Miami Dolphins (5-11)
16. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Oh...and knowmo I told you no one respects Denver

[Couch-Potato]

Tightest division in the NFL?

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by O.city

Raiders will be better than that, unless carr falls apart.

I think they'll win 10

I think Oakland has the talent to reach 10 wins, but I also think Del Rio is a lame ass coach that will drag them down.

8-8 territory

[Jakemall]

Barring key player injuries, I think the Chiefs have a legit shot at the Superbowl this year. I'm sure I'll get some derision for this, but I honestly believe the opportunity is there.

[Simply Red]

Originally Posted by ct

this is why they all got fired

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Jakemall

Barring key player injuries, I think the Chiefs have a legit shot at the Superbowl this year. I'm sure I'll get some derision for this, but I honestly believe the opportunity is there.

I'm not there yet as I think there are too many questions on defense. The loss of Smith was huge - made worse by where he went. As mentioned by ESPN, Houston's health is also a concern. However, I do think that the Chiefs certainly could be considered the front runner in the AFC West going into the season. I don't think the gap between 1-3 will be nearly as large as ESPN thinks. Denver and Oakland will be right there, but until Oakland actually does something - I'll keep them at 3rd. I'd be VERY surprised if the Bolts finish .500 and 2nd in the division. In fact I'll call it and say NO WAY IN HELL (So it probably will happen now) That just seems too far of a stretch. I will say that IF the young guys step up - especially the 3rd year guys - and KC can get good play out of RCB, then maybe by season's end KC might very well be a legit SB contender.

[Gravedigger]

So this means we'll finish last tied with San Diego, and it'll be a loooooooong season.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Couch-Potato

http://espn.go.com/nfl/insider/story...rojections-nfl


AFC West

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 12-4 (11.6 mean wins; SOS: 29)
2. San Diego Chargers: 8-8 (8.4 mean wins; SOS: 31)
3. Denver Broncos: 7-9 (7.1 mean wins; SOS: 13)
4. Oakland Raiders: 6-10 (6.4 mean wins; SOS: 14)

The AFC West has our most controversial projections for 2016, none more so than saying the defending champion Broncos are more likely to have a losing record than a winning record in 2016...
Replacing the Broncos as the likely AFC West standard bearers are the Chiefs. This is only a surprise if you don't realize just how good the Chiefs were last year when they finished the season with 10 straight wins. Even incorporating their 1-5 start, the Chiefs ended up with a higher overall DVOA (fifth) than the Broncos (eighth). One big question here will be the health of pass-rusher Justin Houston. We don't know if he'll be ready by September or miss the whole year; for this projection, we assumed he would miss half the season. But while the Chiefs are definitely not as strong on defense without Houston, they won the last five games in that 10-game streak with Houston stuck on the sidelines...

Full AFC projected playoff standings

Here's what the 2016 AFC playoff picture would look like according to our early projections.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)
3. New England Patriots (10-6)
4. Houston Texans (8-8)
5. Cincinnati Bengals* (10-6)
6. Baltimore Ravens* (10-6)
7. Buffalo Bills (9-7)
8. San Diego Chargers (8-8)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)
10. Denver Broncos (7-9)
11. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
12. Tennessee Titans(7-9)
13. Oakland Raiders (6-10)
14. New York Jets (6-10)
15. Miami Dolphins (5-11)
16. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

No effing way. No way. I hope I'm wrong. I see more of a 9-7 or 10-6 ceiling. I think our window is going to start closing.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Jakemall

Barring key player injuries, I think the Chiefs have a legit shot at the Superbowl this year. I'm sure I'll get some derision for this, but I honestly believe the opportunity is there.

I think things are more wide open than in some prior years. Manning being gone, Colts are down, Ravens have been shaky for some time, Brady's suspension, Bengals are the Bengals, etc.

I expect the Pats to be in the AFCCG again -- they usually are -- but it's pretty damn hard to guess who they might be playing against. Steelers might have the edge, assuming everyone is healthy, but still, who knows.

[Mother****erJones]

Originally Posted by BWillie

No effing way. No way. I hope I'm wrong. I see more of a 9-7 or 10-6 ceiling. I think our window is going to start closing.

Wut? How is our window closing?

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

Wut? How is our window closing?

Because, Chiefs of course

[Mother****erJones]

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Because, Chiefs of course

That stigma is gone IMO. Last season what they went through proved that. Starting 1-5, previous teams would've folded. Not this regime. We're gona get Andy a ring...this ones for Big Red!!

[Jakemall]

Originally Posted by TEX

I'm not there yet as I think there are too many questions on defense. The loss of Smith was huge - made worse by where he went. As mentioned by ESPN, Houston's health is also a concern. However, I do think that the Chiefs certainly could be considered the front runner in the AFC West going into the season. I don't think the gap between 1-3 will be nearly as large as ESPN thinks. Denver and Oakland will be right there, but until Oakland actually does something - I'll keep them at 3rd. I'd be VERY surprised if the Bolts finish .500 and 2nd in the division. In fact I'll call it and say NO WAY IN HELL (So it probably will happen now) That just seems too far of a stretch. I will say that IF the young guys step up - especially the 3rd year guys - and KC can get good play out of RCB, then maybe by season's end KC might very well be a legit SB contender.

I completely understand the concerns. Smith turned out to be a great player, but I don't think his loss will be as significant as some think. Houston was out a chunk of last season and when he came back, he wasn't himself. Even if he's out a majority of the season and he comes back healthy, that's a win for the Chiefs.

My feeling is if the defense can just be close to what it was last year (and I think it will), the improvement on the offensive line and the return of JC will be enough of a boost to push the team to the next level.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BWillie

No effing way. No way. I hope I'm wrong. I see more of a 9-7 or 10-6 ceiling. I think our window is going to start closing.

[DJJasonp]

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

That stigma is gone IMO. Last season what they went through proved that. Starting 1-5, previous teams would've folded. Not this regime. We're gona get Andy a ring...this ones for Big Red!!

No....this one is for us fans that have endured "the phantom hold" in miami, Kimble anders in Buffalo, the kicker that shall remain nameless, Girlbac folding like a tent vs Denver, no-punt defense vs Indy, no-first-downs vs Indy, the collapse vs Indy, Pioli, on-side kick to start a game Haley, the Herminator.........on and on and on.....

No, this one is for US!