NFL Divisional Finals Preview and Predictions: By Kyle Balfour

The Go For It On Fourth 32 for 32 Season Preview:
The 2017 AFC West:

Our series interviewing a fan of each and every season continues here, with the AFC West.

Denver Broncos: Gemma Torr @gtorr30

How was last season for you?

Last season was a difficult one for Denver. It was an offensive fall from grace and we asked a lot of our defence.

With the offseason in the rear-view mirror, how do you believe your team fared in the draft and free agency?

I think we were pretty quiet in Free Agency, and though we drafted well, we haven’t addressed all our offensive concerns. There are a couple of gaps in our defence where reliable players are missing and relative unknowns are taking a shot.

The man under centre: what’s your opinions on your starting quarterback for this season?

The Quarterback situation is difficult in Denver. This should be the season that Paxton Lynch takes over the helm from Siemian. So I’m looking for increased reps for Lynch and some competition in the locker room. This can only serve to improve QB performance in Denver. I expect one of them to cement themselves as QB1 by the end of the season.

Who would you say is the main man for your team beyond the quarterback?

This season I expect we will be typically following a heavily run focused offence. Which I’m excited about given the trio of C.J. Anderson, Jamaal Charles and Davontae Booker. And focusing heavily on defence under new Head Coach Vance Joseph. Who of course is no stranger to the defensive game, as a player and a defensive coach. Nor is he a stranger to Wade Phillips, having coached DB’s for him at Texas.

Give us reasons for optimism for your team this season?

I think this year will be mostly spent adjusting to a new coach, new philosophy, training these two quarterbacks further and again looking to our defence to help us leave the field with our heads held high.

And what are your doubts for your team this upcoming season?

I think it’s going to be another tough year for Denver. The AFC West which we had owned for so many seasons was lost last season and the entire division has become more competitive. The Raiders and Chiefs are serious targets, and even the newly relocated Chargers have made improvements to their team and will be boosted by their move. Watch for the AFC West to go from one of the most predictable divisions to one of the most competitive now.

Can Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch be the successor to Peyton Manning that the Broncos need, or will it be someone else?

Neither of them will be able to come close to the offence production the Broncos managed with Peyton Manning under centre.

Name us one player within another team that you’d love to have at your club?

It’s not like I can just bring in Aaron Rodgers…which if I had the choice I would most certainly do!

What are your predictions for the upcoming season for your team? What do you think your record will be, and how far do you think you will go in the postseason, if at all?

I think we stand a chance of making the postseason. Denver usually do. But we would be looking at qualifying 3^rd or 4^th at best or even via the wildcards. Our record, at a conservative estimate, 10-6, though 11-5 and at the other end of the scale 9-7 is possible.

Who do you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season?

As for who I reckon will win this season…it depends when Brady’s retirement season is? I’m looking for the signs but I firmly believe Brady will go for six. And get it before he retires. The AFC is wide open, Patriots aside. But I’m looking at the Steelers and Raiders as contenders. The NFC is easier to look at. I think the Packers could emerge here. I’d love for the football gods to grace us with Brady v. Rodgers in Super Bowl LII. Otherwise, you can never really count the Panthers, Falcons or Cardinals out of it.

Anything else you’d like to say about the upcoming season, or anything you’d like to plug or mention?

Nothing else to plug or mention. Just that the NFL Brits group is open (https://www.facebook.com/groups/NFLBritsFanUnion/?ref=br_rs) and running game threads all season for those who wish to join us and enjoy the games.

Kansas City Chiefs: Brad Symcox @BritChiefUK

How was last season for you?

The 2016 season was another magical season for the Chiefs. Having seen them at Wembley in 2015 against the Detroit Lions, and seeing their season turn-around from a 1-5 season to an 11-5 season literally from that game, I honestly thought that a season couldn’t get any better. However 2016 had the makings of a Hollywood movie, if only the Chiefs had finished it off with a Super Bowl win at the end, it would’ve been a box office hit! The biggest comeback in Chiefs history against the Chargers in Week 1, the Cairos Santos “Doink” Field Goal against the Broncos to win in overtime, the Eric Berry pick 6 and pick 2 against the Falcons, the “Bloated Tebow” pass from Dontari Poe, then sweeping the AFC West…the list is endless. I wish I could relive it all again.

With the offseason in the rear-view mirror, how do you believe your team fared in the draft and free agency?

The Chiefs had been building up draft picks year after year ever since our GM (at that time) John Dorsey arrived. But this year’s Draft strategy was to go for it and be aggressive, and that’s exactly what the Chiefs did. Moving up from 27th pick to tenth overall was a bold move but showed the rest of the NFL that we wanted to get our man…and they didn’t disappoint! Drafting Patrick Mahomes was exactly what this franchise needed. The fans can now look to the future and not look at it with doom and gloom. The other additions such as Tanoh Kpassagnon and Kareem Hunt are the other exciting prospects. Kpassagnon is a raw talent but an athletic freak, whereas Hunt looks like he’s a good replacement for the outgoing Jamaal Charles, but those are big shoes to fill so we should kerb our expectations.

The man under centre: what’s your opinions on your starting quarterback for this season?

After seeing the training camp battle between Alex Smith and rookie QB Patrick Mahomes, it’s clear that Alex Smith is raising his game to keep Mahomes in his place. Smith is a very good QB, he’s just not considered as an elite player. Personally I felt that Smith had his worst season in 2016, the offence misfired pretty much all season, but having seen what he’s capable of during in 2015 season, I know he has the ability. Maybe Mahomes will keep him on his toes.

Who would you say is the main man for your team beyond the quarterback?

There’s a lot to choose from these days, there’s Travis Kelce, Marcus Peters, Tyreek Hill, Justin Houston, but for me, the main man we had to keep this year was Eric Berry. Berry is the player that everyone looks towards to lift the team to make plays in the most important situations. Berry has it all, he can be a ball hawk, he can play deep, he can also join a blitz and stuff the run game with his hard tackling. Every NFL fan knows what Berry had to overcome and I just feel he gets better as time goes on. He has to be in the Hall of Fame one day, there’s no player tougher than Eric Berry.

Which member of your team or coaching staff is under the most pressure in this coming season?

That’s an easy one, after seeing the Offence misfire last season, it has to put massive pressure on Andy Reid, he calls the plays for the Offence and it’s up to him to work out the opposition’s defence. You can’t put all the blame on Reid when his quarterback wasn’t playing to the level we know he can, but with Reid recently saying he’s sticking with Alex Smith this season as his number 1 QB, then there’s a lot of pressure on Reid’s shoulders. But I don’t know any other Coach that can handle that pressure as well as Reid can.

How did you come to support your team?

Believe it or not, but I stumbled across the Kansas City Chiefs without realising it. I always say that “the team chooses you and not the other way around”. I was sat watching TV one night on the couch, just channel surfing really, it was late and I was getting tired. But I stopped on a program called “Football Life – Marcus Allen”. I had a general interest in the NFL after watching the 2010 Super Bowl, but I never really watched a full season before. The Football Life program was about Marcus Allen being a huge star at the Raiders before it all went very sour between him and the Raiders owner Al Davis. Allen was basically thrown on the scrap heap since the Raiders brought in Bo Jackson (anyone who’s ever played Techmobowl will know who Bo Jackson is, right?), so in order to get back at the Raiders and prove them wrong, Allen signed for this team I’d never really taken any notice of, the Kansas City Chiefs. Anyone who knows me understands that I love a good revenge movie (The Crow, Man on Fire, Last Man Standing to name a few) so this Football Life program played out like a revenge movie. From this point onwards, I was hooked. I then started watching more programs on past Chiefs players, Christian Okoye, Joe Montana and the late, great Derrick Thomas. I couldn’t get enough of the Chiefs. I loved the history, the team but most importantly the family feeling from the fans, it just felt warm and welcoming. That was back in 2012, probably the worst season to become a Chiefs fan after seeing them go 2-14, but I stuck with them as I thought “they can’t get any worse, right?”

For any new fans coming into the league this year, why would you endorse your team to support?

I’ve always said, the Chiefs are never considered to be one of the “fashionable teams” as I call them, many Chiefs fans would admit that. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, the Denver Broncos, the New England Patriots, even the Oakland Raiders. These teams have either done really well in the 80’s and 90’s or have had very recent successes. Many fans will always be drawn towards success and obviously like to say their team has won X-number of Super Bowls blah, blah, blah. But do you really want to be a glory hunting fan? I believe fans have to earn Super Bowl rings too, if you’ve gone through the pain and suffering for years watching your team and then finally be rewarded by seeing your team reach a Super Bowl, then you damn deserve that ring too! My advice would be, don’t just support the latest Super Bowl winner, because chances are, they may have already peaked and it only gets worse from there. With the Chiefs, you need to look past all of that and see pure football, pure fandom, pure grit and determination to get to the promised land. That’s what you get from the Chiefs. The first Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt was instrumental in helping create the NFL as it is today, we’ve had stars such as Marcus Allen, Tony Gonzalez, Christian Okoye and Joe Montana all play for the Chiefs. We have had 2 Super Bowl appearances and actually won one of them in 1969. The first ever Super Bowl was played by the Chiefs against the Green Bay Packers! But even in the present day, the Chiefs are building an exciting roster of players, we have one of the fastest guys in the league, Tyree Hill, we have one of the best Tight Ends in Travis Kelce, now we have the future Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who has one of the strongest arms in the league. Not only that, but Arrowhead Stadium holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest stadium in the world! Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? If you want to watch an up and coming team that is going to get to a Super Bowl one day soon and has a history that has shaped the NFL, then support the Kansas City Chiefs. I challenge you to dive head first into the rabbit hole, and just see how far it goes.

Give us reasons for optimism for your team this season?

The Chiefs have a very deep roster, every position is backed up with an equally good player. We may not have the flair some teams have with their star players, but we have a “next man up” policy. Tyreek Hill is going to be the flair player we need, along with Travis Kelce. But we have some up and coming wide receivers that now have the chance to shine since we released our veteran WR, Jeremy Maclin. Chris Conley and Dermacus Robinson are both huge targets and I’m expecting them to do well this season. We were close by nearly getting to the Championship game last season, we just need to roll the dice this time and start over again.

And what are your doubts for your team this upcoming season?

My only main concern in the Cornerback situation. It’s great that we have Marcus Peters, probably one of the top 5 CB’s in the league, but on the other side we just don’t have anyone that comes close to Peters. If we lost Peters to injury then our CB situation could be our undoing during a long season.

Name us one player within another team that you’d love to have at your club?

Von Miller, the guy is just a defence in himself. It pains me to say that because he’s a Bronco, but you have to give credit where credit is due.

Is Alex Smith’s starting place in jeopardy with the introduction of Patrick Mahomes with the trade up and tenth overall pick?

Personally, I think Alex Smith has one season left with the Chiefs before Mahomes takes over. It’s clear already in training and preseason that Mahomes is already at Smith’s level as a rookie, and he’s improving every day. Mahomes has a huge ceiling of talent whereas Smith has already hit his ceiling.

What are your predictions for the upcoming season for your team? What do you think your record will be, and how far do you think you will go in the postseason, if at all?

With Andy Reid as our head coach, I always feel confident that we’ll have a winning season. The optimistic side of me says we can go 11-5, but the realistic side of me says we’ll go 9-7. You have to remember though, the Chiefs have one of the toughest schedules this season, it could be another amazing rollercoaster. If we get to the playoffs when we just have to let loose and play a more Offence driven style of football, we can’t play season football in the playoffs, we’d get eaten alive. We were so close last year and the year before that, we have unfinished business to attend to this year.

Who do you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season?

It’s hard to see any team other than the Patriots winning back-to-back Super Bowls. They won it last year but now their team is stacked with Offensive weapons…so I’m saying the Chiefs will win the Super Bowl haha!

Anything else you’d like to say about the upcoming season, or anything you’d like to plug or mention?

My “Dark Horse” team this year I think will be the Chargers. They have some fantastic players on both offence and defence. If they can stay healthy this year I can see them causing all sorts of damage in the AFC West. Also, if there’s any Chiefs fans out there that are looking for an International Chiefs supporters club then come and join us at Arrowheads Abroad (www.arrowheadsabroad.com). We have podcasts, video blogs, competitions to win prizes, etc. We’ll get you ready for game day. Also, please check out the Brit Chief YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDa6cV__BGhA4qjdcDx5LXA and my Twitter page @BritChiefUK. Thanks.

Los Angeles Chargers: James Melia @MaddenPFL

How was last season for you?

Tough question. Last season was a roller coaster of lows, like the many last minute losses from winning positions, to a bundled field goal against the Raiders, to losing to the Browns on a shanked field goal, and the unbelievable run of season-ending injuries, to the highs of beating the Super Bowl bound Falcons, as well as the breakout of Joey Bosa as a star of the NFL.#

With the offseason in the rear-view mirror, how do you believe your team fared in the draft and free agency?

I feel that we did ok in Free Agency, acquiring offensive tackle Russell Okung, and safety Tre Boston. Okung should be an improvement over King Dunlap. Tre Boston should push Dwight Lowery for the starting job early in camp. The main success in Free Agency was to resign Melvin Ingram to a five year deal keeping one of the most potent pass rushing units together for the foreseeable future. In the draft, we had quite a solid draft. WR Mike Williams in the first round was a sensible pick as he adds depth to an often injury plagued positional group, sure he has a back injury holding him back, but he should be good to go early in the season. Getting offensive linemen Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney in the second and third rounds was a great success, as the interior of the offensive line needed improvement, but unfortunately Lamp is out till next season with a torn ACL. Safety Jenkins is more of a depth addition than a starter day one. The favourite pick for me, and someone I expect to surprise people, is Deskmond King, he can play nickelback or free safety in Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme.

The man under centre: what’s your opinions on your starting quarterback for this season?

My opinion on Phillip Rivers is that he’s a potential HOF QB when all is said and done. The numbers he puts up with lesser known receivers is amazing. If he got injured and missed games, I would worry as the backups are not up to taking control of the offensive unit and getting a quarter of his production.

Who would you say is the main man for your team beyond the quarterback?

Joey Bosa, the defensive rookie of the year last year in just 12 games. That says a lot about how important this young man is to our team, he has the potential to be one of the league leaders in his position for years to come.

Which member of your team or coaching staff is under the most pressure in this coming season?

Ken Whisenhunt, the offensive co-ordinator, has to get more out of a strong offensive unit built around Phillip Rivers, and cut down on the turnovers with better play-calling, with an improved offensive line and Mike Williams to join the returning Keenan Allen, with deep threats Tyrell Williams and Travis Benjamin, and explosive tight end duo Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry, along with a top five running back in Melvin Gordon, this is a unit built to win now.

How did you come to support your team?

I found the Chargers by watching clips on YouTube back in 05/06, they were mainly on Ladamian Tomlinson, his ability to change direction so quickly, see openings for himself to run into that normally aren’t there, make tackles miss him in open field, scamper off for Touchdowns, ever since then I’ve been hooked.

For any new fans coming into the league this year, why would you endorse your team to support?

The Chargers are an exciting team to watch, always in close games, sometimes on the wrong end of the result, the team has young exciting players that fans can follow, who are not only superstars but great characters to watch.

Give us reasons for optimism for your team this season?

The improved O-Line in front of Phillip Rivers, and the talent that surrounds him, when Phillip Rivers has time in the pocket he can cut defences apart, and with the quality of his starting receivers, he could put up big numbers, improved defensive unit lead by Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram should put up big sack numbers and keep the scores down.

And what are your doubts for your team this upcoming season?

My doubts are even with a new head coach, new defensive co-ordinator, improved depth and talent across the board, changing from 3-4 defence to 4-3 is going to take a few weeks to settle in and get up to speed on that side of the ball. Also, the relocation effect can’t be ignored, new surroundings could affect the team early on in the season, as playing in front of such small attendance will be a new experience for most the players on the roster.

Name us one player within another team that you’d love to have at your club?

I would like to see Luke Kuechly from the Panthers in the middle of this new defensive unit, as we are short in the Linebacker department, he’s a player I like to watch his ability to be in the area of the ball on each play.

What are your predictions for the upcoming season for your team? What do you think your record will be, and how far do you think you will go in the postseason, if at all?

I believe we could go 8-8. I’d love a playoff run, but can’t see it this year, this year needs to be setting up for future success.

Who do you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season?

New England Patriots should be favourites to win the Super Bowl, with the way Bill has built the roster over the summer, it’s possible that they could go 16-0, it’s a roster that leaves very little weaknesses to be seen.

Anything else you’d like to say about the upcoming season, or anything you’d like to plug or mention?

This could be one of the most exciting seasons to watch as most divisions could be closely fought for till week 17, look at the NFC East, NFC South and AFC West, you could make a case of each team to go deep in the playoffs or win a Super Bowl. I would like to mention MaddenPFL.com, it’s a site where we run online connected franchises and we’re recruiting for Madden 18 on both PS4 and X-Box One.

Oakland Raiders: Dan Clapton @RNFL33UK

How was last season for you?

Last year was very conflicting for me. The best Raider performances I’ve seen in close to 15 years as well as finally being able to see two games at the Coliseum was a lifelong dream come true. The broken leg suffered by Derek Carr against Indy killed any hopes of a Super Bowl with the gut punch that the Raiders will be heading to Las Vegas for 2020 put a dampener on a great season. The Bay Area is a lovely place and the fans I met there are some of the most passionate fans you will ever meet.

With the offseason in the rear-view mirror, how do you believe your team fared in the draft and free agency?

Getting Marshawn Lynch out of retirement was the biggest coup of the off season for us, and definitely adds a dimension to our offense we haven’t had in years. Jared Cook and Cordarrelle Patterson are nice complementary pieces for the offense too. Draft wise, I like the value we got in the mid rounds, and with the Police drama taken care of, 1st round pick Gareon Conley could be a stud. Expect 3rd round pick Eddie Vanderdoes to be a day one starter. Overall a good off-season.

The man under centre: what’s your opinions on your starting quarterback for this season?

Derek Carr is fantastic. One of the best young quarterbacks in the league and easily the best we’ve had since Rich Gannon and his MVP year in 2002. Great leader and throws one of the nicest passes you’ll see in the NFL. He should only get better and although his contract is huge it should look like good business by the time the Raiders head to Vegas.

Who would you say is the main man for your team beyond the quarterback?

Only one answer for me. Khalil Mack is the reigning defensive player of the year and for me easily the best player on this Raiders squad. Wrecking machine against the run and a monster in the pass game with a variety of moves to get to the quarterback. Could have a legitimate chance to beat the sack record this year. His pick six against the Panthers is the best sporting moment I’ve ever experienced live.

Which member of your team or coaching staff is under the most pressure in this coming season?

I’d have to say that defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. could be looking for a new job if things don’t improve from last year. Pretty much no pressure on the QB except from Mack last year and poor communication issues across the secondary left us in shootouts with Carr performing magic to get wins. It has to improve for this team to take the next step.

How did you come to support your team?

I’ve been a fan since the age of 4. My Dad got into the sport in the mid 80’s and is to this day a Bengals fan. Around 89-90 my Dad showed me highlights of Marcus Allen and Bo Jackson combined with the shield and imagery have had me hooked since. Seen a Super Bowl and a league worst season, the love never wavers.

For any new fans coming into the league this year, why would you endorse your team to support?

I personally wouldn’t endorse the Raiders or any team to a new fan. My advice to a new fan is to just keep watching games and let what you see make your choice for you.

Give us reasons for optimism for your team this season?

Adding one of recent history’s most powerful runners to an offense with an explosive passing attack and one of the NFL’s best offensive lines should mean points should be put up in bunches. Defensively look to second year safety Karl Joseph to break out big time. Guy hits like a freight train and draws comparisons to Earl Thomas.

And what are your doubts for your team this upcoming season?

Our main area of weakness easily is our Linebackers. Lacking a proven Middle linebacker could hurt us and hasn’t really been addressed bar a 5th round draft pick of Marquel Lee. He or one of the other unproven guys have to step up, or it’s gonna be shoot outs all season long.

Name us one player within another team that you’d love to have at your club?

I’m a defence first kinda guy, and combined with our most glaring need makes this an easy decision. I’d take Seattle MLB Bobby Wagner. Luke Kuechly is the ultimate Linebacker in the game today but Wagner has a certain anger to his game that would suit this Raider line up more.

Can this team get over the line and provide Oakland with a Super Bowl victory in the time they have left before they move to Vegas?

They have every chance to be fair. With most of the key pieces either signed or on the way to being signed till 2020 the next three seasons is a fair window of opportunity which they may just be starting. Obviously, there’s some very good teams in the AFC right now but we can compete with them all.

What are your predictions for the upcoming season for your team? What do you think your record will be, and how far do you think you will go in the postseason, if at all?

I’d say we’re favourites for the division. The AFC West is probably the most competitive in the NFL right now and could have three teams in the playoffs. With that I still think we go 11-5 and should get to at least the championship game. Raiders-Patriots AFC title game would be brilliant.

Who do you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season?

That’s a tough one there’s some very good competition out there this year. AFC either the Pats, Us or the Texans if they get the QB right. NFC the Packers or Seahawks. Can’t get any closer than that till the season starts sorry haha.

Anything else you’d like to say about the upcoming season, or anything you’d like to plug or mention?

I’d be amiss if I didn’t mention NFL Brits. NFL Brits is a Facebook group with fantasy football leagues and everything and anything football related. Fully recommend the game threads on game days, some fun people to watch and talk about games with.