The Kansas City Chiefs are out of contention for the NFL play-offs this season, as are conference rivals Cincinnati.
I just don’t see the Baltimore Ravens getting in either. They need to win their final two games to have a chance, so in terms of quarterbacks, it would be a three-headed monster missing from the AFC – Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes.
Advertisement
The three injuries this season are just crazy, and Jackson came away with another injury in Sunday’s loss to New England. He has already missed three games and in each of the last six weeks he has missed at least one day of practice.
I don’t think he ever fully recovered from his major hamstring injury. There was one game where it was like, “Hey, he’s back. He moves like the Lamar Jackson we’re used to.”
But looking at his other injuries – toe, ankle, knee and now back – I feel like he’s a little more fragile right now, after all the hits he’s taken. He’s had injuries that have piled up over the years, so is his style of play sustainable?
I really hope his Super Bowl window hasn’t closed because he is so wonderful to watch.
Advertisement
I just think Baltimore needs a bit of a shakeup because there were some strange moments in Sunday’s game, with the play calling and the best players making big mistakes in big moments. At the end of the season, someone has to take responsibility.
The two main things they’ve struggled with are Lamar not being healthy and not having any assists. I just don’t get it – defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike went down early in the season, so why wouldn’t you find an impact player from a pass rush standpoint?
The Ravens had that attitude. Teams were afraid of that pass rush, that defensive line, and they kind of lost that.
It’s the same thing with the Bengals and Chiefs. Even if you keep winning, and that means you don’t have high draft picks, you have to be able to develop depth in those moments.
Advertisement
If you invest on one side of the ball, you have to draft on the other side. You have to find ways to strengthen an already elite team – the team that has done the most is the Philadelphia Eagles and their general manager Howie Roseman.
I’m more worried about Joe Burrow’s window closing, because since he came this Super Bowl in Los Angeles in 2022, Cincinnati doesn’t look the same anymore.
I don’t know if I trust their organization to draft and provide the depth they need. With Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals have the most expensive offense in the NFL, from a salary cap perspective.
He’s still been able to buzz around a bit, but the offensive line still needs strengthening and the defensive line, in particular, has been anemic.
Advertisement
They had this weird preseason, not wanting to give Trey Hendrickson the contract he wanted, and they signed some good young players, but why didn’t they do that years ago?
When the Bengals had a backup QB, it showed how much Burrow does for the team and how he actually extends plays. It is a natural phenomenon.
He’s the kind of guy we want in the playoffs, in the Super Bowl, because he becomes more and more dangerous as the season goes on. But it’s sad to think that those three quarters won’t be there this time.
Other teams are stepping up, because you’re recruiting to beat the guys in your division. In the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers have always been consistent, but 100% it should have been the Ravens or Bengals who should have won this division this season.
Advertisement
The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers have built their rosters to beat the Chiefs in the AFC West. What happens now that the tables have been turned? What will next season look like now that the Chiefs will have higher draft capital?
You hope they are able to introduce or develop star receivers. I know they wanted Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy to be. But in reality, since Tyreek Hill left in 2022, they haven’t had that true number one threat receiver.
I like the fact that in their final two games they will be able to give some of their young guys some real NFL playing experience. This is going to be crucial and will likely give them an advantage in the long run.
They worked in some of the younger sectors, but if Travis Kelce retires, what does it look like? Who becomes that reliable player that Mahomes feels comfortable on because, especially coming back from injury, he’s going to need someone he can trust.
Advertisement
This is a very big recovery for him. I would be surprised if he was able to recover to the point where he could start next season and be mobile. But he will always have an opportunity because of who he is as a quarterback and a competitor.
The Chiefs have a lot of pending free agents, so how they handle that — who they bring back, who they bring back — will be a very big piece of the puzzle for them.
What concerns me about them returning to the play-offs next season is that the AFC West is really competitive. Will the Chiefs beat the Broncos twice a year? Are they going to beat the Chargers twice a year?
I feel more confident in the Bengals and Ravens, and either one winning the AFC North. The Ravens are probably the most complete team. They need a few more pieces on defense.
Advertisement
The Bengals need a complete defense, but at least they have an offense that can be potent. I feel like the Chiefs are going to have to start from scratch.
But for now, the three-headed monster is gone from the AFC, so maybe the way is clear for my Buffalo Bills to finally return to the Super Bowl.
