Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts at the line of scrimmage during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Q: Who do see you winning the AFC West? The Broncos or Chiefs?
A: I think it hinges on one thing, who is Peyton Manning? Is he the Peyton Manning at the end of the year or he is still the guy we saw the first half? If he is the first half guy, I think Denver wins the division. If it’s the other guy, it is up for grabs but I would install Kansas City as the favorite.
Q: Do you see Denver as a team that took a step back this offseason?
A: From a talent standpoint; some of the losses have not been made up for by the additions. They are trying to create more balance, and I’m not sure they’ve done that. They haven’t replaced Julius Thomas, although maybe Owen Daniels is supposed to mitigate that to a degree. The passing game will rely on Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders being what they were last year. They seem to have a nice running back by committee approach.
Losing Orlando Franklin is a blow, particularly to a division rival. Pot Roast (Terrance Knighton) didn’t stay in the division, I thought he’d go to Oakland, but that will be a blow to overcome. However, if Shane Ray is as advertised, you can make up for the losses by putting pressure on the quarterback.
Q: Is Kansas City a playoff team after the moves it made in free agency and the draft?
A: I see them as a wild card team if they don’t win the division. You’re set at running back because Jamaal Charles is Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis is no slouch either. You have better receivers and Travis Kelce is an emerging tight end. 9-7 should be the worst record they have for me.
Don’t forget, the AFC North is not matched up against the NFC South this year, so they don’t have what was jokingly referred to as a bunch of BYE weeks. And only one team is coming out of the AFC South because that’s Indianapolis and a bunch of stiffs. The AFC East will be cannibalizing itself. If Brady’s suspension holds, they are more vulnerable than they have been in the past.
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