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Best and worst case scenarios for every team in AFC West

By Lucas Strozinsky

Dec 16, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores the game winning touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during overtime at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores the game winning touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during overtime at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 1, 2022; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) hands the ball off to running back Austin Ekeler (30) during training camp at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2022; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) hands the ball off to running back Austin Ekeler (30) during training camp at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Best Case Scenario

Every year there is an unofficial “offseason champion” and the Los Angeles Chargers may be that team in 2022. They have a borderline, if not bona fide, top 5 quarterback, a defense that loaded up on veteran talent this past offseason, a slightly improved offensive line, and what some consider to be one of the brightest young coaches in the NFL.

I was a huge fan of Justin Herbert before the 2020 NFL Draft, so I was not happy when the Chargers selected him with the 6th overall pick. My feeling has since been validated as Herbert has established himself as not just one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, but one of the best overall as well. Austin Ekeler is still an incredible receiving back, and Keenan Allen/Mike Williams are a good 1-2 punch at receiver. Not to mention that second-year left tackle Rashawn Slater could take a huge step forward and become a franchise left tackle. Rookie guard Zion Johnson may also turn out to be one of the best values of the 2022 first round.

Their defense added stars Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson this past March and Sebastian Joseph-Day should be a good player on the defensive line for the Chargers. In terms of returning players, Derwin James is one of the best defensive weapons in the NFL (when healthy), Asante Samuel Jr. is a good young corner, and Joey Bosa will continue to be a menace for offensive tackles.

The Chargers gave the Chiefs all they could handle in their two matchups in 2021 and were arguably a coin flip and a choke job against the Texans from winning the AFC West. With an improved roster, it’s possible that they finally get over the hump and win the division in 2022.

Best Case Scenario: 13-4, AFC West Champions, Super Bowl champions

Worst Case Scenario

In their worst-case scenario, the Chargers are still the Chargers and they barely miss the playoffs again. Justin Herbert could unexpectedly regress and Brandon Staley could outsmart himself in critical games.

The NFL has seen teams add a lot of talent on one side of the ball only for the acquisitions to not mesh as well as hoped. The Chargers have added loads of talent on defense but it’s not a guaranteed success. It could realistically take time for the Chargers to figure it out defensively.

Overall, I’m not as bullish on the Chargers as some members of the media but I’m also not as cynical as other AFC West rival fans. I don’t believe they will flame out like last season but I can also see it happening if certain things go wrong.

Worst Case Scenario: 8-9, Fourth place in the AFC West, Miss Playoffs

Projection

11-6, Second place in the AFC West, Fifth seed in the AFC, Lose in the Divisional Round

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