AFC West Division Analysis: What Will the Division Look Like in the 2024 NFL Season?

As the 2024 NFL regular season approaches, every team in the league will have to make difficult decisions as they trim their roster and replace 53 players who will enter the season with Super Bowl aspirations.

However, with the limited number of playoff spots, each team will be fighting to win their division or at least earn a wild card spot.

FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd has his predictions for how each division will pan out heading into training camp. Using those rankings, we break down each team in each division, continuing with the AFC West.

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1. Kansas City Chiefs

Colin says: “Kansas City until further notice. They’ve won the division eight times in a row. Best coach in football, best quarterback. They get it.”

The Chiefs play in a different weight class in the division but still crush their opponents, winning the division for the eighth straight time last year and en route to two more Super Bowls.

Everyone will be talking about whether this team can become the first in league history to win three Lombardi Cups in a row, but not necessarily whether they will win the division because they were that good anyway.

But the most important thing will be winning nine titles in a row and participating in the next edition of the play-offs.

NFC WEST ANALYSIS: HOW WILL THE DIVISION BE FORMED IN THE NFL SEASON?

KEY ACQUISITION: WR XAVIER WORTHY AND HOLLYWOOD BROWN

Yes, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl, but there was a point during the 2023 regular season when Patrick Mahomes’ receiving ability was in serious question, especially at the wide receiver position.

Rashee Rice came on late in the regular season in his rookie year, but players like Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Justin Watson simply weren’t getting the job done. The Chiefs continued to find ways to win games, but coach Andy Reid, Mahomes and Chiefs fans were left scratching their heads as dropped passes and poorly run routes hurt their game.

The speedy rookie Worthy and dynamic quarterback Brown enter the picture, hopefully providing Mahomes with better options this time around.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION: WERE YOU LUCKY THE THREE TIMES?

As we said, this is about the Super Bowl, not the division.

If the Chiefs don’t make the playoffs, it would be the biggest surprise in the NFL, as they are a better team overall than they were last season and are on pace to win.

Mahomes has been changing history since entering the league in Kansas City, and that’s all they’re focused on this year with a third straight Super Bowl in the cards.

WEEK 1: VS. BALTIMORE RAVENS (SEPTEMBER 5, 8:15 PM)

2. Los Angeles Chargers

Colin says: “I think the Chargers are limited on the perimeter … I think they can make a move. I’m taking them second.”

Since Cowherd made that prediction before the regular season began, he believed the Chargers would push for San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk amid a contract dispute. Once that issue is resolved, Los Angeles will likely look elsewhere for receivers before the trade deadline.

But Jim Harbaugh’s return to the NFL is one of the biggest storylines this year, as he tries to turn around the Chargers’ 5-12 season in 2023.

The Chargers are new everywhere, but with teams in the division that are beatable besides the Chiefs, they have a chance to qualify for the playoffs if all goes well.

KEY ACQUISITION: WR LADD McCONKEY

Harbaugh is undoubtedly a big acquisition, but when you look at the roster, no player is more important to the offense than second-round pick Ladd McConkey.

With the departures of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Justin Herbert’s top two options on the perimeter in recent seasons, someone will have to step up at quarterback. The Chargers had Joshua Palmer on the roster and DJ Chark came in as a free agent, but McConkey was someone who caught the eye in training camp.

The route runner had a great career at Georgia and could become Herbert’s lifeline in a new offense led by offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: IS HARBAUGH THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB?

He comes off an undefeated season in which he won a national championship with the Michigan Wolverines and joins a roster with questions at multiple positions. But some believe he has enough to make a run at the AFC wild card.

First, Herbert is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL. Second, the additions of Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins fit well with the run-oriented team that Harbaugh typically favors. On defense, players like Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Derwin James Jr. form a solid group to rally around.

Harbaugh is a well-documented leader of men, regardless of where he’s coached. Can he turn the Chargers into a group that’s immediately formidable, or will it take time? The Chargers signed him to a long-term contract, but he’d rather see success sooner rather than later.

NFC EAST ANALYSIS: HOW WILL THE DIVISION FIT IN THE 2024 NFL SEASON?

WEEK 1: VS. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (SEPTEMBER 8, 4:05 PM)

3. Denver Broncos

Colin says: “I like the Broncos more than Vegas, but according to Pro Football Focus, they have the worst roster in the league.”

Sean Payton has had a real battle for the point guard position in training camp, and 12th overall pick Bo Nix proved he deserves his spot in the draft by winning that battle.

But does Nix have enough around him to turn the Broncos’ offense around? Will the roster as a whole be enough to compete in 2024? The Broncos will answer those questions soon.

KEY ACQUISITION: QB BO NIX

The Russell Wilson era in Denver was short-lived and its dissolution was a moot point as Payton could not move forward with him at center.

Enter Nix, who shined with Oregon in a season in which he was finally healthy enough to perform well. He impressed Payton, battling it out with Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham for the starting role, and the head coach believes he gives Denver the best chance to win in 2024.

Nix has shown a penchant for accuracy all over the field, possessing the arm strength to fit balls into tight windows and move them downfield when his man is open for a big play. Nix had a 76.7 completion rate (23-of-30) in his preseason work with 205 yards passing and two touchdowns thrown.

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: ARE THERE ENOUGH PEOPLE ON THE STOCKS?

The offense has a solid running back in Javonte Williams, and Courtland Sutton is a good top receiver. But with a starting quarterback and average secondary options in the passing game, there aren’t many who rate the Broncos offense highly in 2024.

On defense, Denver employs arguably the league’s best cornerback, Pat Surtain II, but will the Broncos have a good pass rush? Can they maintain their advantage beyond Surtain on defense?

The Broncos are trying to build something that will allow them to compete in the AFC, but they may not be able to reach their full potential this year.

WEEK 1: @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (SEPTEMBER 8 @ 4:05 PM)

4. Las Vegas Raiders

Colin says: “Raiders in fourth place. They have a rookie coach and quarterback issues.”

The Raiders found some renewed energy last season when Josh McDaniels was fired as head coach and Antonio Pierce took over on an interim basis.

Now, Pierce has stepped down from interim coaching status after being named full-time coach following the Raiders’ coaching search, and the team is looking to keep the momentum going.

However, with Cowherd struggling at quarterback, Gardner Minshew was named the starter over second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, but some believe Minshew is more of a backup than a true starter in the NFL. Can the Raiders, armed with Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Brock Bowers and others, get enough production from him?

KEY ACQUISITION: TE Brock Bowers

The Raiders’ first-round draft pick has shined at Georgia for his skills as a modern tight end — someone who can crush linebackers in a blocking game while also making big catches no matter the situation.

Las Vegas needs playmakers beyond Adams. While players like running back Zamir White, who will play a larger role this season, and Meyers played well last season, making big plays, Brock Bowers could be someone who quickly finds chemistry with Minshew in the short and intermediate range, allowing him to score first downs and points.

On paper, Bowers has measurable highlights that show he can have an immediate impact for the Raiders. If they want to make a playoff push, solid production from him will be key.

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: WILL MINSHEW MANAGE TO MAINTAIN THIS POSITION?

One of the Raiders’ biggest problems last season was at quarterback. Adams admitted that if Jimmy Garoppolo hadn’t been benched, he wouldn’t have been happy.

The Raiders don’t want that to happen again this season, so it’s up to Minshew, who played very well for the Indianapolis Colts when rookie Anthony Richardson was sidelined all year with a shoulder injury, to keep the starting quarterback job.

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Get the ball to Adams, who is always free. Pick up those first downs and short touchdowns with your legs like we saw last season. Minshew has talent, but the Raiders really need consistency.

WEEK 1: @ LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (SEPTEMBER 8 @ 4:05 PM)

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