Ranking all 14 Chargers opponents in the 2022 season
By Jason Reed
4. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are still the favorites to win the AFC West but they probably shouldn't be. The Chiefs lost Tyreek Hill and some serious talent on the defensive side of the football. Add in the fact that the Chiefs have the hardest schedule in the league next season and this could be the worst season of Patrick Mahomes' career.
There is the chance that Mahomes and Andy Reid elevate the receivers they brought in to replace Tyreek Hill. However, there is also the chance that an elite receiver cannot be replaced by two average guys, which is typically how the league works. If Travis Kelce continues to regress, that could be a problem.
Both games against the Chiefs will naturally still be close but for the first time in quite some time, the Chargers should be favored over the Chiefs at home.
3. Denver Broncos
With Russell Wilson under center, even though he has not looked the same over the last year and a half and is worse than Patrick Mahomes, the Broncos have a more talented roster than Kansas City. They are deeper with pass-catchers and defensively have more talent.
That being said, the one issue with Denver is a potential lack of depth. They have some of the best blue-chippers in the league but like the Chargers in past years, they lack the depth around those blue-chippers. The Broncos are just 1-2 injuries away from losing a significant chunk of their talent.
If the Broncos have good injury luck and their best players mostly stay healthy then they could win the division, even though we still like the Chargers more.