With the 2020 NFL regular season launching this week, we’re breaking down every division in a digestible fashion (here’s the AFC South). Here’s a rundown of the AFC East.
Denver Broncos
2019 result: 7-9, 2nd place
Major additions: CB A.J. Bouye, DT Jurrell Casey, RB Melvin Gordon, G Graham Glasgow, WR Jerry Jeudy, WR K.J. Hamler, C Lloyd Cushenberry III
Major losses: CB Chris Harris Jr., OL Connor McGovern, OT Ja’Wuan James (COVID-19)
Why they could kick ass: Drew Lock looked like a franchise-caliber quarterback late in his rookie season, and there’s enough talent on both sides of the ball for Lock and the Broncos to excel.
Why they could suck: They could miss Harris and James, and the sample size is damn small on Lock (five starts as a rookie).
2020 prediction: 8-8, 2nd place
Kansas City Chiefs
2019 result: 12-4, 1st place, Super Bowl victory
Major additions: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LB Willie Gay Jr.
Major losses: CB Kendall Fuller, RB Damien Williams (COVID-19), OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (COVID-19)
Why they could kick ass: They won the Super Bowl despite the fact star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was less than 100 percent for much of the 2019 season, and the roster hasn’t changed much.
Why they could suck: They could miss Duvernay-Tardif and Williams, and there’s always room for the feces to hit the fan.
2020 prediction: 13-3, 1st place, Super Bowl victory
NFL Division Previews
Las Vegas Raiders
2019 result: 7-9, 2nd place
Major additions: WR Henry Ruggs III, TE Jason Witten, LB Cory Littleton, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, CB Damon Arnette, DT Maliek Collins, edge Carl Nassib, QB Marcus Mariota
Major losses: CB Daryl Worley, S Karl Joseph
Why they could kick ass: Ruggs looks like a stud, and quarterback Derek Carr has a strong offensive line. They also have a lot of young talent up front on defense.
Why they could suck: The defense remains a major potential liability, and Carr hasn’t proven to be a major game-changer.
2020 prediction: 8-8, 2nd place
Los Angeles Chargers
2019 result: 5-11, 4th place
Major additions: G Trai Turner, OT Bryan Bulaga, QB Justin Herbert, LB Kenneth Murray, CB Chris Harris Jr., DT Linval Joseph
Major losses: QB Philip Rivers, RB Melvin Gordon, S Derwin James (IR)
Why they could kick ass: The retooled offensive line is ready for Herbert, who has the talent to excel if he gets a chance to relieve bridge starter Tyrod Taylor at some point this year. And the defense is stacked.
Why they could suck: This is probably a transition season with Taylor under center, and they’ll again miss James.
2020 prediction: 6-10, 4th place
