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“AFC-West–What’s Happening”
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The final weekend of the preseason schedule is upon us, then roster cuts, then the opening of the NFL season.

A look see at the always popular AFC-West and headlines for each team:

CHARGERS…The starters in the skill positions have not played a snap in any of the games, but you know this offense will be explosive with Justin Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Gerald Everett.

Kellen Moore’s playbook from Dallas will be worth watching.

1st round pick Quinton Johnston is going thru quite a learning curve.  Making catches and dropping balls too.  Josh Palmer has not had much time because of injuries, but you still trust his 72-catch season.  Jaylen Guyton, once a big play guy, has not played slow to rebound from knee surgery last year.  Has he lost his speed? Has he suffered a setback? Is he being pushed out of a job?

Kick return Derious Davis has hauled a punt back for an 81Y score but also dropped a punt and got blasted making a bad decision in traffic.

Isaiah Spiller and Josh Kelly look like they will both stay and get snaps when tough yards are necessary.

Interesting to see the growth of Stone Smart is catching lots of balls, but questions remain if he can block if he is on the field?

The offensive front looks so solid, and young guards Zion Johnson and Jam Salyer have played alot of snaps to get used to new positions.  These guys could be unsung heroes in what I believe will be a very good offensive line.

Defensively who knows, because the starters have not played.  How healthy is DT-Austin Johnson, who needs to team with Sebastian Day to plug a porous run defense upfront.  CJ Okoye has been active, with a sack, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble, but he is so raw.  Who knows how he plays when he lines up against Pro Bowl offensive lineman?  Joey Bosa will get double duty sacks.

We know Eric Kendricks track record with the Minnesota Vikings.  We know so much is expected of Kenneth Murray.  But there may be athleticism coming in the form of Daylan Henley, hyper-active in these preseason games.  He looks like a real player.  Depth is an issue.

In the secondary, there is Derwin James, yet to play.  There is Asante Samuel, who makes plays and then gets beat.  There is Michael Davis looking to build out on a breakout season last year.  How they all fit when the season opener arrives remains to be seen.   The kids have gotten a ton of snaps in the two preseason games.  Some good plays by Ja Sir Taylor and JT Woods, but they have given up chunk plays too.  Call it a learning experience.

The kicking game looks solid, whether that is Cam Dicker or Dustin Hopkins.

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DENVER…So much expected from Sean Payton, so many injuries to start the preseason.

His top running back Javante Williams, coming off knee surgery, has yet to play though they say he will be in the starting lineup on opening day.

It’s been really tough with on going injuries to the receiver group.  Losing Tim Patrick and KJ Hamlin is devastating.  Yes there is Jerry Jeudy, but can you keep him off the injured list?  This is a real problem.

Russell Wilson has a new lease on life with Payton’s playbook.

The defense was so strong last year, buy has little depth.  An ailing Barrett Browning at LB is not good news.  Work in progress on defense.

RAIDERS…Jim Garopplo says he will be there opening day but how long he stays on the field remains to be seen.  His stats and won-loss record are impressive, but so scary is the list of injuries that keep taking him off the field.

The Josh Jacobs saga will end by opening day and then we see if he is the heavy duty guy he was a year ago.

Davante Adams, a healthy Hunter Renfrow and whomever they run out at tight end will need to stay on the field.

The defense looks much more athletic and now you add the fire that Marcus Peters brings to a young secondary.  It may be this team goes as far as the young but rebuilding defense plays.

CHIEFS…Nothing has changed.  Andy Reid is there.  Patrick Mahomes is there.  Travis Kelce has lots of mileage on him but will give you 17-weeks of mayhem at tight end.  They keep finding young skilled athletes for the skill positions.  Interesting to see if Ike Pacheco’s second year is as dynamic as year one.

Lost in all the conversation is how they rebuilt that defense.  They have drafted edge-speed to change the pass rush.  They have guys in the secondary who can run.  They adedd a smart ex Charger Drue Tranquil.

They will be Kansas City as usual-pretty explosive, and the champs till somebody knocks them off the perch.

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