The Kansas City Chiefs have won the past three AFC West titles, and with Patrick Mahomes leading the charge could be poised to make it a quad streak.
That fourth straight win won't come easy for a team transitioning to a new defense and facing improved division rivals. The Los Angeles Chargers boast a talented crew on both sides of the ball, led by Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen, Derwin James and Joey Bosa. The Raiders added Antonio Brown along with a bevy of young players, and even if they are a year or two away from competing, are much more compelling than a season ago. And the Denver Broncos, somewhat forgotten in the mix at the top of the division, upgraded at head coach and quarterback.
Joining Good Morning Football on Wednesday, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said he likes that most are ignoring the Broncos during the offseason.
"The Chiefs are the team to beat right now. They've won it, I think, the past three years so until somebody knocks them off they're the team beat," Harris said. "I'm telling you right now, I like being the underdog right now. Teams are sleeping on us and so I like taking that approach this year. They're going to have to wake up when we hit them in the mouth."
The Broncos -- winners of the division the previous five years before the Chiefs' reign -- certainly boast the defensive talent to punch teams in the mouth. Harris is the league's top slot corner, Von Miller is a premier pass rusher, and Bradley Chubb could be in for a Year 2 leap as a quarterback nightmare. Toss in corner additions of Bryce Callahan and Kareem Jackson and Denver boasts both a strong back end and fierce pass rush. Importing Vic Fangio's proven scheme should make the Broncos one of the best defenses in the league.
Whether their offense behind Joe Flacco can match that defensive prowess remains the question mark.
With Brown joining the AFC West, the receivers the Broncos face could be among the best collections in the league. Harris knows the division will a test every time week.
"I got Tyreek Hill fighting with me twice a year, Keenan Allen, A.B., so the AFC West is going to be a track meet," he said.
If the Broncos' defense can slow that track meet, it could give Denver a chance to get back in the division race after finishing third or worse each of the past three years.
