As part of an ongoing 8-part series, the Steel City Underground team takes their stab at predicting the 2017 NFL season.

This edition focuses on the AFC West.

	Joe	Brian	Tina	Tommy	Mike	Terry
1	OAK	OAK	OAK	OAK	OAK	OAK
2	DEN	DEN	DEN	KC	KC	DEN
3	LAC	LAC	KC	DEN	LAC	KC
4	KC	KC	LAC	LAC	DEN	LAC

Here’s some commentary justifying everyone’s picks:

Joe

This is my hottest AFC take, not so much putting a loaded Raiders roster on top of this division, but predicting the Broncos to pass both the Chargers and Chiefs and make a Wild Card bid as well. They’re still a year removed from a Super Bowl appearance and did so with the statistically worst QB to start in the big game (Peyton Manning). No matter who’s throwing passes there, so long as they remain healthy, they should be in contention.

Andy Reid‘s conservative play is going to negatively impact the Chiefs. Their defense will still be formidable but I’m not sold on Tyreek Hill being their go-to wide receiver and the loss of Spencer Ware doesn’t help them either. They’re going to fall behind a Chargers team which has added more pieces on both sides of the ball. Joey Bosa is a force to be reckoned with in 2017.

Brian

The Raiders offense may have almost as much firepower as the Steelers. It really depends on if Marshawn Lynch can return to form or if his time in the woods with Bear Grylls sapped all his “Beast Mode” mojo out of him. I like Carr, but need to see how he responds to the knee injury he sustained last season. I don’t think they’ll contend for the top spot, but do think they have enough to take this division. The Broncos defense will continue strong, but their season will depend on Trevor Siemian?! I almost dropped the Bronco’s down another spot because I think the season has the potential to fall apart with a new head coach and defensive coordinator, especially if they don’t get more out of their running game and clear improvement from their o-line.

The Chargers look like they might be making headway. Unfortunately, their top draft pick is injured (Mike Williams). He might be available in October, and he might not. I think Joey Bosa may have a breakout year, and if that happens and the Chargers defense can stay competitive (and Phillip Rivers can stop throwing the ball to the wrong team) they could finish above .500 and challenge the Broncos for second in this division. They could also challenge the Chiefs for the basement.

The Chiefs just lost their starting running back, and it’s not going to take much for the fans to start clamoring for Mahomes to be given a shot at starting. Alex Smith has always been a competent QB, but never flashy or really dynamic. Chiefs may backslide enough to fall to the basement.

Tina

I think this division will be a lot closer competition wise than many people initially see on paper. Derek Carr has been waiting for his opportunity to break out and with a healthy set of weapons, 2017 looks to be the year. The Broncos will likely rise or fall based on whether their defense can maintain its stinginess as the kinks get worked out on offense. While Philip Rivers is a decent quarterback (some would argue either way on that), I don’t see enough overall talent to pass the Chiefs who are deep in defensive talent and continue to have the ability to move the ball on offense even though they lost their top rusher in Spencer Ware.

Tommy

This division could go a number of different ways, but the Raiders clearly have the best quarterback in this division. If their defense can just be average, look for them to take another leap forward this year. The Chiefs, who are the defending division champs, fall to second this year. The Chiefs have a solid roster and one of the stingiest secondaries in the league. I have them falling just short of the division title with a chance to land a wild card spot.

The Broncos will only go as far as their quarterback lets them and with Siemian or Lynch at the helm, they won’t get the job done. The Chargers have a budding star in Joey Bosa, but not nearly enough talent on their roster to compete this year.

Mike

The AFC West is an intriguing division with some solid teams. The Oakland Raiders are back and led by Derek Carr and Marshawn Lynch (yep, he’s back), they will take this division this year. They are a legitimate contender as well. The Kansas City Chiefs will come in second but have a real shot at being a playoff team. Alex Smith and Andy Reid put up a lot of wins.

I expect the Los Angeles Chargers (that feels weird to type) to finish third behind a big year out of Philip Rivers and the Broncos will fall to last. They have a bad QB situation and even though they have a very good defense, I don’t see them winning many games this season.

Terry

I’m going to agree with my colleague Tina on this division. I think it will be a lot closer competition-wise than many people initially see on paper. Derek Carr not only wants to be “The Man” in 2017 on the field, but he has a country music album coming out too. (Thank God it’s not rap!)

The Broncos will once again pressure their defense to win their games. Our other 2004 draft class quarterback, Philip Rivers, can put up fantasy numbers, but I don’t see him having enough talent around him. The move from San Diego to Los Angeles will contribute to another disappointing year.

The Chiefs are deep in defensive talent but losing your top rusher (Spencer Ware) in the preseason to an ACL injury may make the ever conservative Andy Reid be a bit more of a risk taker with Alex Smith passing the ball downfield.