NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Denver Broncos
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: First in AFC West, won Super Bowl 50
Record: 12-4; 3-0 in postseason
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 4-2
Total offense: 355.5 (16th)
Rushing: 107.4 (17th)
Passing: 248.1 (14th)
Total defense: 283.1 (1st)
Rushing: 83.6 (3rd)
Passing: 199.6 (1st)
COACH: Gary Kubiak
2nd season with Broncos
15-4 overall; 3-0 postseason
9th season as NFL head coach
78-70 overall; 5-2 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–A strong belief that the defense could hold off any opponent and make the plays it needed when the offense struggled fueled the title run. If the Broncos can get any improvement from their inconsistent offense, the defense might not have to play with its backs to the wall so often, and the Broncos can withstand any regression to the mean from its elite defense.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Trevor Siemian. Backups — Paxton Lynch, Austin Davis
RUNNING BACKS: Starters — C.J. Anderson, FB Andy Janovich. Backups — Devontae Booker, Kapri Bibbs
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Virgil Green. Backups — Jeff Heuerman, John Phillips
Green, a six-year veteran, looks set to take the next step as a pass catcher that has eluded him to this point in his career, and clearly won the top job. But depth is a problem. Heuerman missed last season because of a torn ACL and has struggled with two hamstring injuries this year. Phillips was signed at the start of training camp and had to overcome an ankle injury to make the 53-man roster.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Emmanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas. Backups — Jordan Norwood, Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, Jordan Taylor
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: LT Russell Okung, LG Max Garcia, C Matt Paradis, RG Michael Schofield, RT Donald Stephenson. Backups — G/T Darrion Weems, G/C Connor McGovern, G/T Ty Sambrailo, C James Ferentz
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE Derek Wolfe, NT Sylvester Williams, DE Jared Crick. Backups — NT Darius Kilgo, DE Adam Gotsis, DE Billy Winn, NT Kyle Peko
LINEBACKERS: OLB Von Miller, OLB DeMarcus Ware, ILB Brandon Marshall, ILB Todd Davis. Backups — OLB Shane Ray, OLB Shaquil Barrett, ILB Zaire Anderson, ILB Corey Nelson, OLB Dekoda Watson
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — CB Chris Harris Jr., CB Aqib Talib, SS T.J. Ward, FS Darian Stewart. Backups — CB Bradley Roby, CB Kayvon Webster, FS Justin Simmons, SS Will Parks, CB Lorenzo Doss
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Brandon McManus, P Riley Dixon, LS Casey Kreiter, KR Cody Latimer, PR Jordan Norwood
PRACTICE SQUAD: C Dillon Day, OLB Vontarrius Dora, WR Mose Frazier, ILB Kyle Kragen, TE Henry Krieger-Coble, T Justin Murray, S Ryan Murphy, CB Taurean Nixon, WR Kalif Raymond, FB/RB Juwan Thompson
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 8, CAROLINA (Thu.), 6:30
Sept. 18, INDIANAPOLIS, 2:25
Sept. 25, at Cincinnati, 11:00
Oct. 2, at Tampa Bay, 2:05
Oct. 9, ATLANTA, 2:05
Oct. 13, at San Diego (Thu.), 6:25
Oct. 24, HOUSTON (Mon.), 6:30
Oct. 30, SAN DIEGO, 2:05
Nov. 6, at Oakland, 6:30
Nov. 13, at New Orleans, 11:00
OPEN DATE
Nov. 27, KANSAS CITY, 2:25
Dec. 4, at Jacksonville, 11:00
Dec. 11, at Tennessee, 11:00
Dec. 18, NEW ENGLAND, 2:25
Dec. 25, at Kansas City, 6:30
Jan. 1, OAKLAND, 2:25
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Kansas City Chiefs
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: Second in AFC West, Wild Card team
Record: 11-5; 1-1 in postseason
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 5-1
Total offense: 331.2 (27th)
Rushing: 127.8 (6th)
Passing: 203.4 (30th)
Total offense: 329.3 (7th)
Rushing: 98.2 (8th)
Passing: 231.1 (9th)
COACH: Andy Reid
4th season with Chiefs
32-19 overall; 1-2 postseason
18th season as NFL head coach
172-121-1 overall; 11-11 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–One factor rolling in the Chiefs favor this year is the schedule handed to them by the NFL. Last year, they played just two of their first six games at Arrowhead Stadium and over a six-week period in the middle of the season, they had just one home game. They had a trip to London in that segment, something they do not have in 2016. Over the last four years, the Chiefs have had great stability and they were able to keep that together by re-signing Hali, Johnson, Berry and Howard on their defense.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Alex Smith. Backups — Tyler Bray, Nick Foles
RUNNING BACKS: Starters — Jamaal Charles, FB Anthony Sherman. Backups — Knile Davis, Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Travis Kelce. Backups — Demetrius Harris, James O’Shaughnessy, Ross Travis
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Chris Conley, Jeremy Maclin. Backups — Tyreek Hill, Demarcus Robinson, De’Anthony Thomas, Albert Wilson
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Eric Fisher, LG Parker Ehinger, C Mitch Morse, RG Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, RT Mitchell Schwartz. Backups — C/G Zach Fulton, G/T Jah Reid, T Bryan Witzmann
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DRE Allen Bailey, NT Dontari Poe, DLE Jaye Howard. Backups — DL Chris Jones, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DE Nick Williams
LINEBACKERS: Starters — SOLB Dee Ford, SILB Justin March, WILB Derrick Johnson, WOLB Tamba Hali. Backups — ILB D.J. Alexander, ILB Sam Barrington, OLB Dezman Moses, OLB Dadi Nicolas, Frank Zombo
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Marcus Peters, RCB Phillip Gaines, S Eric Berry, S Ron Parker. Backups — CB Kenneth Acker, S Eric Murray, CB Steven Nelson, CB KeiVarae Russell, S Daniel Sorensen, CB D.J. White
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Cairo Santos, P Dustin Colquitt, LS James Winchester, KR Knile Davis, PR Tyreek Hill/De’Anthony Thomas
PRACTICE SQUAD: LB Tyrell Adams, WR Frankie Hammond, WR Seantavius Jones, DL David King, C/G Daniel Munyer, G/T Jarrod Pughsley, S Shak Randolph, RB Darrin Reaves, LB Terrance Smith, S Brock Vereen, T Zach Sterup (suspended first four games)
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, SAN DIEGO, 12:00
Sept. 18, at Houston, 12:00
Sept. 25, N.Y. JETS, 3:25
Oct. 2, at Pittsburgh, 7:30
OPEN DATE
Oct. 16, at Oakland, 3:05
Oct. 23, NEW ORLEANS, 12:00
Oct. 30, at Indianapolis, 12:00
Nov. 6, JACKSONVILLE, 12:00
Nov. 13, at Carolina, 12:00
Nov. 20, TAMPA BAY, 12:00
Nov. 27, at Denver, 3:25
Dec. 4, at Atlanta, 12:00
Dec. 8, OAKLAND (Thu.), 7:25
Dec. 18, TENNESSEE, 12:00
Dec. 25, DENVER, 7:30
Jan. 1, at San Diego, 3:25
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Oakland Raiders
FACTS AND STATS
2016 Draft first pick: 14 overall
2015 Finish: Third in AFC West
Record: 7-9
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 3-3
Total offense: 333.5 (24th)
Rushing: 91.1 (28th)
Passing: 242.4 (16th)
Total defense: 363.6 (22nd)
Rushing: 104.9: (13th)
Passing: 258.8 (26th)
COACH: Jack Del Rio
2nd season with Raiders
7-9 overall
11th season as NFL head coach
76-82 overall; 1-2 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–This team that appears to have everything going in the right direction. A good, young quarterback, a defensive star, a strong offseason, recent strong drafts and a strong-minded coach who grew up as a Raiders fan and brings the right spirit to the franchise.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Derek Carr. Backups — Matt McGloin, Connor Cook
RUNNING BACKS: Starters — Latavius Murray, FB Jamize Olawale. Backups –DeAndre Washington, Jalen Richard, Taiwan Jones, Marcel Reece (suspended three games)
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Clive Walford. Backups — Lee Smith, Mychal Rivera
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree. Backups — Seth Roberts, Andre Holmes, Johnny Holton
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Donald Penn, LG Kelechi Osemele, C Rodney Hudson, RG Gabe Jackson, RT Menelik Watson. Backups — T Austin Howard, G-C Jon Feliciano, T Matt McCants, G-T Vadal Alexander
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — RDE Denico Autry, LDT Jihad Ward, NT Justin Ellis, LDE Khalil Mack. Backups — T Dan Williams, E-T Mario Edwards Jr., T-E Darius Latham, T Stacy McGee.
LINEBACKERS: Starters — SLB Bruce Irvin, MLB Ben Heeney, WLB Malcolm Smith. Backups — ILB Cory James, OLB Shilique Calhoun, OLB Daren Bates.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB David Amerson, RCB Sean Smith, SS Karl Joseph, FS Reggie Nelson. Backups — CB DJ Hayden, CB TJ Carrie, CB Dexter McDonald, CB Antonio Hamilton, S Nate Allen, S Keith McGill, S Brynden Trawick
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Sebastian Janikowski, P Marquette King, LS Jon Condo, PR TJ Carrie, KR DeAndre Washington, KR Jalen Richard
Janikowski is still an accurate and dangerous kicker from both short and long, although there were times when Del Rio opted to punt a year ago rather than send him out for a 50-plus-yard attempt. His kickoffs aren’t what they once were. King, who got a hefty contract extension, has continued to improve his touch punting, can kick as deep as anyone and could be a Pro Bowl punter on a winning team. Returns, always an issue with the Raiders, remain wide open. Carrie has the most experience on punts but is far from a lock. Washington and Richard showed some explosion on kickoffs.
PRACTICE SQUAD: WR K.J. Brent, CB Kenneth Durden, DL Branden Jackson, G Denver Kirkland, WR Jaydon Mickens, TE Ryan O’Malley, G-C Oni Omoile, LB Korey Toomer, LB Jason Fanaika, LB Curtis Grant
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, at New Orleans, 10:00
Sept. 18, ATLANTA, 1:25
Sept. 25, at Tennessee, 10:00
Oct. 2, at Baltimore, 10:00
Oct. 9, SAN DIEGO, 1:25
Oct. 16, KANSAS CITY, 1:05
Oct. 23, at Jacksonville, 10:00
Oct. 30, at Tampa Bay, 10:00
Nov. 6, DENVER, 5:30
OPEN DATE
Nov. 21, HOUSTON (Mexico City, 5:30
Nov. 27, CAROLINA, 1:25
Dec. 4, BUFFALO, 1:05
Dec. 8, at Kansas City (Thu.), 5:25
Dec. 18, at San Diego, 1:25
Dec. 24, INDIANAPOLIS (Sat.), 1:05
Jan. 1, at Denver, 1:25
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: San Diego Chargers
FACTS AND STATS
2016 Draft first pick: No. 3 overall
2015 Finish: Fourth in AFC West
Record: 4-12
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 0-6
Total offense: 371.8 (9th)
Rushing: 84.9 (31st)
Passing: 286.9 (4th)
Total defense: 361.9 (20th)
Rushing: 125.3 (27th)
Passing: 236.6 (14th)
COACH: Mike McCoy
4th season as Chargers/NFL head coach
23-27 overall; 1-1 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–The Chargers played last year under the cloud of moving to Los Angeles. This year comes with a similar distraction and can the Chargers put that aside to focus on making the playoffs for only the second time in seven years?
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Philip Rivers. Backups — Kellen Clemens
RUNNING BACKS: Starters — Melvin Gordon, FB Derek Watt. Backups — Danny Woodhead, Kenneth Farrow, Andre Williams
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — Antonio Gates. Backup — Hunter Henry
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin. Backups — Dontrelle Inman, Tyrell Williams, Isaiah Burse
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT King Dunlap, LG Orlando Franklin, C Matt Slauson, RG D.J. Fluker, RT Joe Barksdale. Backups — G/C Spencer Pulley. LT Tyreek Burwell, LG Kenny Wiggins, RT Chris Hairston
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — RE Joey Bosa, NT Brandon Mebane, LE Corey Liuget. Backups — Ryan Carrethers, DE Tenny Palepoi, DE Darius Philon, DE Caraun Reid
LINEBACKERS: Starters — ROLB Jerry Attaochu, ILB Manti Te’o, ILB Denzel Perryman, LOLB Melvin Ingram. Backups — OLB Kyle Emanuel, OLB Tourek Williams, ILB Jatavis Brown, ILB Nick Dzubnar.
SECONDARY: Starters — LCB Brandon Flowers, RCB Jason Verrett, FS Dwight Lowery, SS Jahleel Addae. Backups — CB Craig Mager, CB Pierre Desir, SS Darrell Stuckey, FS Dexter McCoil, SS Adrian Phillips
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Josh Lambo, P Drew Kaser, KOR Travis Benjamin, PR Isaiah Burse
PRACTICE SQUAD: DT Kaleb Eulls, LB Ben Gardner, WR Jonathan Krause, S Adrian McDonald, TE Jake McGee, G Austin Shepherd, WR Dom Williams, CB Trevor Williams
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, at Kansas City, 10:00
Sept. 18, JACKSONVILLE, 1:25
Sept. 25, at Indianapolis, 1:25
Oct. 2, NEW ORLEANS, 1:25
Oct. 9, at Oakland, 1:25
Oct. 13, DENVER (Thu.), 5:25
Oct. 23, at Atlanta, 1:05
Oct. 30, at Denver, 1:05
Nov. 6, TENNESSEE, 1:25
Nov. 13, MIAMI, 1:05
OPEN DATE
Nov. 27, at Houston, 10:00
Dec. 4, TAMPA BAY, 1:25
Dec. 11, at Carolina, 10:00
Dec. 18, OAKLAND, 1:25
Dec. 24, at Cleveland (Sat.), 10:00
Jan. 1, KANSAS CITY, 1:25