Can the Broncos find themselves atop the AFC West in 2018?
Sep 11, 2018, 10:11 AM | Updated: Sep 12, 2018, 2:46 pm
It’s only Week 1 in the NFL, and it’s nearly impossible to determine about where the Denver Broncos will shake out in terms of the AFC West standings in 2018.
Even last year, of the two teams involved in the Super Bowl only one — the Philadelphia Eagles — had a winning record after the first week of the season.
“I understand it’s only one game,” said Mark Schlereth on Monday. “What do we really know about the NFL after one game? The truth of the matter is not a whole lot. This is a week to week league, and teams still aren’t ready and aren’t prepared.”
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But the “Schlereth and Evans” co-host asked a bold question after the Broncos home-opening victory Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks: Why can’t Denver win the AFC West in 2018?
“Why not this team? Why can’t this team win an AFC West crown? Because I would argue that the talent is there, the young talent is there,” Schlereth said. “All they have to do is clean up a few of the mistakes and they’re going to continue to improve.”
Denver sits tied for first place after one week with the Kansas City Chiefs. But Schlereth questioned if whether the Pat Mahomes and the Chiefs can sustain what they did against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1.
“Come on, does anybody believe that Mahomes is going to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to an AFC West crown?” Schlereth said. “Does anybody believe it’s sustainable what he did Week 1 against the Chargers? Is he going to constantly not turn the ball over and just make big plays?
“I would say probably not. They’ve got some big-time players, I get it. But probably not going to happen on a consistent basis.”
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As for the Chargers, Schlereth said they did the “most Charger thing ever” and lost a home opener because they were “ill-prepared to play.” And the Raiders, Schlereth said, come into Denver on Sunday licking their wounds from a 33-13 beat down on Monday Night Football.
“There’s a great opportunity here for the Broncos,” Schlereth said. “This defense looked the part. Although there were a few mistakes, they physically whooped their opponent. This offense looked the part. Although there were three interceptions, they bounced back and played exceptional football after all of those turnovers.”
Schlereth added: “I’m excited. I’m really actually excited about this football team, and I think they’re better than I expected them to be.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
