Between the Chiefs and the Chargers an exciting duel for the division victory is in the offing. If you are finally spared from injuries in L.A., the time of changing the guard may finally have come. Meanwhile, the Broncos want to rehabilitate themselves through solid quarterback play, while the activities of the Raiders are upsetting the entire league. The SPOX preview of AFC West.
Balance 2017: 5-11
The main entrances: QB Case Keenum, DE Bradley Chubb, LB Su’a Cravens, WR Courtland Sutton, RB Royce Freeman, OT Jared Veldheer
The most important retirements: CB Aqib Talib, RB C.J. Anderson, QB Trevor Siemian, TE Virgil Green
After a completely frustrating season, the Broncos believe they have taken steps to get them back into the race for the AFC West. The team, which did not get off to such an offensive start last year and despaired every week on the agony of the choice from one of the most disappointing quarterback trios, has just offensively turned on some levers.
These naturally begin with Case Keenum’s commitment. The 30-year-old is allowed to try out Bill Musgrave’s almost new, but above all finally completely implemented scheme (Musgrave only took over the OC role from Mike McCoy in December). In all likelihood he will play a well-balanced run-pass open, which in no way forbids passing on early downs. This is at least what Musgrave’s offense at his last stop in Oakland suggests. Here, the OC was released after a great year in 2016 and the Raiders Offense deteriorated noticeably as a result.
Keenum gives the Broncos-Offense an essential element that was sorely missed. He can keep Plays alive when the weak offensive line allows pressure again. A facet with which he surprised everyone in Minnesota in the pre-season and one that the Broncos opener missed last year. This is one of the reasons why the Broncos could not move their offense and constantly put their defense into bad starting positions.
Denvers Defense allowed just 25 yards per drive (second-best value in the league) in 2017, but 1.82 points per drive (14th place) after Football Outsiders in the pre-season. The reason for this was the field position in which the opponents were allowed to start regularly. Denver’s opponent got the ball on average on the 32.79 yard line. Only the Bills 2010 were worse in the end.
Hoping that the Broncos-D will not always have to defend opposing offenses close to the midfield, one of the best defenses of the past decade could now defend more effectively again. You can build on two elements that every team wants: Cover Corner (Chris Harris and Bradley Roby) and Edge Rusher (Von Miller, Bradley Chub, Shane Ray, Shaq Barrett). One of last year’s strongest run defenses will also create long yardage situations from which the strong pass rush will benefit.
The Broncos O-Line was a unit last year that never made it easy for the limited abilities of their quarterbacks. Against gap-attacking 4-3 defenses like the Eagles or the Dolphins they let themselves be duped – and that this will change in the coming season, at least in terms of personnel little has been done.
The Broncos hold almost entirely to their Front Five. Only ex-cardinal Jared Veldheer is supposed to fix the fragile right tackle spot, while last year’s first-round pick Garett Bolles is hoping to improve his pass blocking.
And the receiving corps must also increase significantly. Only four teams had more drops than the Broncos (35) last year. Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders seem not to be able to fully utilise their performance since last season with Peyton Manning. The rookies Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton must bring a breath of fresh air.
The Broncos have many components on the defensive side, especially when Bradley Roby can compensate for the departure of Aqib Talib, which speaks for a successful, if not even dominant year for their unit. With the improvements in the offense, the team should gradually be able to reconnect with the Chiefs and Chargers. Forecast: 3rd place in the division.
Page 1: Denver Broncos
Page 2: Kansas City Chiefs
Page 3: Los Angeles Chargers
Page 4: Oakland Raiders