NFL groups can normally establish their strengths and weaknesses after 5 weeks of the season. No workforce is ideal, however some have a lot larger points than others.
Right here is one probably deadly flaw for each AFC West workforce.
Denver Broncos: Deep passing sport
Earlier than the 2024 NFL Draft, The thirty third Staff’s Greg Cosell famous one among Bo Nix’s weaknesses was arm energy. That evaluation has seemed appropriate by the rookie quarterback’s first 5 begins.
No. 12 total choose Nix ranks twenty fifth within the league in passing yards (866) and solely has two completions of 30-plus yards.
In equity to Nix, head coach Sean Payton is not letting him take many deep pictures. Based on Pro Football Focus, 71 of his 165 move makes an attempt have been between zero and 9 yards, tied for the eleventh most within the league.
Regardless, Nix should show he can push the ball downfield. In any other case, Denver (3-2) might not have the ability to broaden its playbook, which may make its offense too one-dimensional.
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Extensive receiver depth
Accidents maintain depleting Okay.C.’s receiving corps.
WR Rashee Rice — who leads the workforce in receiving yards (288 in four games) — underwent LCL surgical procedure Tuesday. Per The Atheltic’s Nate Taylor, Rice’s rehab is predicted to final 4 months. Okay.C. additionally not too long ago positioned WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (shoulder) on injured reserve, and he’ll probably miss the remainder of the common season.
An absence of high quality WRs is impacting QB Patrick Mahomes, who has averaged a career-low 247 passing yards per sport by 5 begins. The Chiefs (5-0) ought to take into account buying one other wideout earlier than the Nov. 5 commerce deadline, maybe Amari Cooper of the Cleveland Browns or DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennessee Titans.
Las Vegas Raiders: Quarterback
The Raiders’ dysfunction at an important place may derail their season. On Wednesday, HC Antonio Pierce confirmed he is benching QB Gardner Minshew and beginning Aidan O’Connell in Sunday’s dwelling sport vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2). O’Connell is not a a lot better choice than Minshew.
Minshew has extra interceptions (five) than TDs (4) by 5 begins. O’Connell, in the meantime, has accomplished a below-average 59.4 percent of his passes for one TD and one choose in two video games.
As of Wednesday, ESPN’s Football Power Index provides Vegas (2-3) a 66.1 % likelihood to earn a top-10 choose within the 2025 NFL Draft. If this occurs, the Raiders ought to take into account taking a QB.
Count on the 2025 class to characteristic intriguing QB prospects, together with Miami’s Cam Ward, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.
Los Angeles Chargers: QB Justin Herbert’s function in new offense
All through the offseason, new offensive coordinator Greg Roman emphasised creating a run-heavy assault to assist Herbert. Nonetheless, Roman’s system has seemingly turned him right into a sport supervisor.
The bottom sport has improved underneath Roman, rating ninth within the league in rushing yards (127.8), however Herbert has handed for fewer than 180 yards in all 4 of his begins. He didn’t surpass this determine in a sport solely thrice in his first 4 seasons, per the Los Angeles Occasions’ Thuc Nhi Nguyen.
The Chargers (2-2) have but to let Herbert try greater than 27 passes in a sport. After shedding their previous two video games, they need to let the previous Professional Bowler air it out to get again on observe.
