NFL division races, quarterback play and national predictions

This week in Verderame’s Verdicts, we talk about the state of quarterback play in the NFL, why the Chargers get more national love than the Chiefs and more.

It makes for a boring summer at the position, but it’s good for quality of play come the regular season.

How many teams have bad quarterbacks at the moment? You can count them on a single hand. In fact, how many are either without either a potential franchise quarterback or one already proven on that level?

Going through the list quickly, one would argue the Denver Broncos, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fit the criteria. Hell, you could even argue Miami and Denver depending on your feelings about Josh Rosen and Drew Lock, respectively. All told, we’re talking a maximum of six teams. That’s great news for the NFL, because there’s nothing more unwatchable than bad quarterback play.

This might be the golden age of quarterbacks, and not only because of the rules.

I’m the wrong person to ask about the Baltimore Ravens if you want a positive answer.

Look, John Harbaugh is a fantastic coach. The offensive line is solid and I believe Hollywood Brown has electric gifts. Here’s the rub: I don’t believe in Lamar Jackson. Jackson didn’t complete 60 percent of his passes in college, which is a huge red flag. Typically, if you aren’t. accurate as a collegiate passer, you don’t improve in the pros. Last year, Jackson showed a strong arm and great athleticism, but he struggled mightily throwing from the pocket.

Defensively, Earl Thomas is phenomenal but the unit took major hits. Losing Terrell Suggs, C.J.Mosley, Za’Darius Smith and Eric Weddle is going to be impactful. In 2018, Baltimore largely won because of a terrific defense and a ball-control offense. I do believe the Ravens will be among the league leaders in rushing yards — Mark Ingram, Jackson and fantastic blocking tight ends will do that — but the lack of a passing game combined with a weakened front seven scares me.

Baltimore will be in the hunt for a playoff berth, but I have the Browns and Steelers as better teams.

Usually when fans say this type of stuff, it’s based in rose-colored glasses and myth. In this case, there’s truth.

Each of the post-Peyton Manning years, it seems the national pundits pick the Los Angeles Chargers to be the AFC West frontrunner. In each of those campaigns, the Kansas City Chiefs have ended up with the division crown.

This season is no different. Los Angeles and Kansas City both wear 12-4 last year and split the season series. In the offseason, the Chargers largely stood pat while the Chiefs completely remade their 31st-ranked defense. Still, Los Angeles is the popular pick among prognosticators while Kansas City is pushed to the back in some places.

Just a quick search shows CBS, CBS again, Bleacher Report and USA Today all have the Chargers winning the West. Now, the Chiefs get love from ESPN and Sports Illustrated, but the point out of Kansas City is understandable.

So why is it? Well, Philip Rivers is aging and imminently likable. Many want to see him finally get that Super Bowl ring. The Chargers are also a sexy pick. There’s nothing exciting about picking a team that is a co-favorite in Vegas to win the Super Bowl. Boring. Also, Los Angeles is a legitimate pick, it’s a great roster.

For the record, though, give me Kansas City by a decent margin. Why? Patrick Mahomes.

Bottom line? None of it matters. If the Chiefs are better than the Chargers, they have 17 weeks to prove it.

On a scale of 1-10? 5.

There’s no arguing the group could use an infusion of talent. General manager Brett Veach knows this, and so does everyone else at One Arrowhead Drive. Kendall Fuller is a legitimate star, Bashaud Breeland is good and Charvarius Ward is a talented kid with an uncertain future. Beyond those three, everything is uncertain at best.

Here’s why I don’t panic though in Kansas City: Veach loves to trade. He’s one of the most aggressive GMs in the league. The NFL is also seeing more player movement at the trade deadline than ever before. If the Chiefs are 6-2 in October but desperately need help on the outside, Veach will look to make a splash. Last year, Kansas City had a deal in place for Earl Thomas only to watch him break his leg the day before it was going to become official.

In short, the Chiefs will be monitoring the cornerbacks closer than anybody else. They understand the situation.