By Aidan Mastandrea, Joe Caruso and Tyler Morello
Sports Editor and Staff Writers
Tyler’s take: The Arizona Cardinals win the NFC West
The NFC West is wide open for the taking this year with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams being derailed with injuries. Quarterback Kyler Murray is finally back to elite-caliber play with a new and improved offense featuring rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., one of the most highly touted receiving prospects in recent years.
The main problem with this roster is the talent on the defensive side of the ball. The Cardinals gave up the second most points in the league last season, and are expected to need to improve this season in order to play postseason football.
We did, however, just see All-Pro Budda Baker lead this defense against the Rams this past weekend and hold them to ten points. Second-year head coach Jonathan Gannon was hired for his defensive strategies after leading the defensive unit for the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2023, which should lead to some better days for the Cardinal's defense this year.
It is completely possible they even find themselves atop the entire NFC if they can figure out their growing pains.
Aidan’s take: Chargers make it to AFC Championship
So far so good for Jim Harbaugh in the city of Angels. Through two games the Los Angeles Chargers look to have the culture that they were so desperately looking for. Justin Herbert is an all world talent at quarterback, but over the past few seasons he has had to carry too much of the load.
This year, the addition of running back J.K Dobbins and drafting of tackle Joe Alt has bolstered the rushing attack for the Chargers. Herbert is able to manage the game and be special in spurts when needed most.
It may be too far to say that this Chargers team will beat out the back-to-back super bowl champion Chiefs to win the AFC West, but with Harbaugh leading the way they will only get better over time. This team will be peaking in January and can make a run at an AFC championship game.
Joe’s take: Raiders grab a playoff spot
Antonio Pierce is now entering his first full season as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and after a monster upset in Baltimore last week, this team looks poised to make some noise toward the AFC wildcard.
Seasoned veteran Gardner Minshew provides the Raiders squad with a high floor, and future hall-of-fame wide receiver Davante Adams along with rookie first-rounder Brock Bowers can provide much-needed firepower to this offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, Maxx Crosby has a real shot at bringing home defensive player of the year for Vegas, and with Pierce's fiery coaching style, the Raiders will play every game close en route to a playoff spot.
