The preseason hasn’t even begun for most teams, but several playoff hopefuls are already facing a severe climb due to a rash of serious injuries.
Winning is a difficult proposition in the NFL on its own. One season after the Kansas City Chiefs swept the toughest division in the NFL and finished No. 2 overall in the AFC, several analysts are predicting a return back to earth with single-digit wins and predicted finishes behind the Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos and, for some, even the San Diego Chargers. The Chiefs know this well enough, that a difficult schedule ahead and injuries can change the competitive landscape in a moment’s notice.
It’s the latter that’s already taken a significant toll on three teams who have/had playoff hopes in the AFC: the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers. All three teams have intelligent reasons for optimism (unlike, say, any reasons the Browns or Jets might have for making the postseason). All three teams have analysts who believe in them.
All three are now also recovering from the stomach punch delivered by fate as they reel from literally crippling injuries.
Here’s a closer look at three teams trying to figure out how to stay optimistic about their chances in 2017 and what it means for the rest of the AFC, including the Chiefs.