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NFL: AFC West with a Copycat Offseason

By Russell S. Baxter

Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches the ball but is unable to stay in bounds ahead of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. Kansas City defeated Oakland 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches the ball but is unable to stay in bounds ahead of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum. Kansas City defeated Oakland 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2015 NFL season featured an AFC West that gave us a Super Bowl champion, a second playoff team, a franchise on the rise…and the San Diego Chargers.

This past season, the Denver Broncos won 12 games and Super Bowl 50. The Kansas City Chiefs finished 11-5 and won a playoff game for the first time since 1993.

Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders (7-9) and San Diego Chargers (4-12) combined for 11 wins.

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But general managers Reggie McKenzie (Raiders) and Tom Telesco (Chargers) have been busy indeed this offseason looking to keep up with their playoff-bound division rivals of a year ago. And the winning formula means playing the kind of defense that results in a championship.

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This past year, the Broncos were ranked No. in the NFL in total yards and passing yards allowed. They came up with a league-high 52 sacks and forced 27 turnovers. In the playoffs, Gary Kubiak’s club allowed a total of 44 points to the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers.

The Chiefs weren’t too shabby themselves. Only six clubs in the NFL allowed more total yards per game and the Kansas City pass rush produced 47 sacks. The team totaled 29 takeaways – more than twice as many (14) as in 2014. Andy Reid’s club posted the first shutout in the postseason (a 30-0 win over the Houston Texans) since 2005.

So what have we seen from the Chargers and Raiders so far?

Plenty.

The Bolts wasted little time addressing their needs on the defensive side of the ball. They added veteran defensive tackle Brandon Mebane from the Seattle Seahawks. He comes from a club that gave up the fewest rushing yards in the NFL in 2015. San Diego finished 26th in run defense this past season.

Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Casey Hayward (29) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

The team also upgraded its cornerback situation with the addition of former Green Bay Packers standout Casey Hayward. With Eric Weddle off to Baltimore, the Chargers have a new free safety in Dwight Lowery. They join Pro Bowl cornerback Jason Verrett in what should be an improved secondary (granted the club can bolster its pass rush in the draft).

The Raiders have done San Diego one better when it comes to defense. The addition of cornerback Sean Smith not only strengthens the secondary, it was a blow to the Chiefs. The recent signing of Pro Bowl safety Reggie Nelson (who early in his career played for Jack Del Rio in Jacksonville) gives the club a performer who led the NFL with 10 takeaways in 2015.

Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Adding outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. was his position coach in Seattle) will make life even easier for All-Pro Khalil Mack, who finished second in the league with 15 sacks this past season.

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The Chargers haven’t been to the Super Bowl since 1994 and have missed the playoff five of the last six seasons. The Raiders haven’t enjoyed a winning campaign since going to Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002. Have both clubs done enough this offseason to get closer to a postseason appearance?

It’s going to be an interesting April for both of these original AFL franchises. Along with the Chiefs, could both the Chargers and the Raiders also push the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos for AFC West supremacy? Keep in mind that Denver has won the division five straight years and won’t go down without a fight.

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