NFL Preview: AFC West

One of the worst divisions in football this year, led by one of the best teams in football. It's safe to say everyone knows who will win the division but, not everyone knows the deal for the other three teams. I'm going to give the Over/Under for wins courtesy of BodogLife.com.

4. Kansas City Chiefs (Bodog Over/Under: 6)
Under. There are weapons on this team, offensively, that are of a high-calibre. Dwayne Bowe, Larry Johnson, and Tony Gonzalez are three guys that nobody can sneeze at. Unfortunately, Brodie Croyle is their quarterback. Now, I know Chiefs fans are probably still holding out belief that this guy is their quarterback now and for the next decade. There's no real use in going into his stats because he's only played 9 games, and it was his first season as a starter. It just never seemed like he had the presence to be an NFL quarterback last season, and I haven't read or heard anything that would bring me to change my mind.
I do believe that Larry Johnson will have a return to form this season. I know a lot of fantasy people and Chiefs fans alike were unhappy with the performance and injury of LJ last season. Fear not, all reports from camp say that the former Penn State star is healty as an ox. With Brodie Croyle tossing the ball, you can expect Herm Edwards to give his horse the ball 350 times.
It's cliche but to win in the NFL, you need to run the ball, and stop the run. This team can run the ball, but they aren't going to be stopping much. The defense is full of question marks from the line back to the secondary.

PREDICTION: 5-11

3. Oakland Raiders (Bodog Over/Under: 6)

That's a tough one to pick, I think the Raiders will actually play some decent football. It doesn't help that I have a certain Raiders fan chirping in my ear about them pretty consistently, but I actually buy into Lane Kiffin. I also buy into the phenomenon that is Darren McFadden. This team will have no problems running the ball with D-Mac and a talented Justin Fargas. It's a two headed monster that will give teams headaches, similar to the Vikings rushing attack from last season. Their offensive line is serviceable enough to punch holes for their two big horses. The offensive problems for the Raiders come in when throwing the ball. I believe in JaMarcus Russell and his monster arm, I just don't believe in anybody he is throwing the ball to. Javon Walker shouldn't be in the NFL anymore, and even Lane Kiffin sees that, and Ronald Curry would be the third or fourth option on most other teams in the league. After their first two recievers, the Raiders' depth chart spins into the unknown.
The Raiders' defense however, is looking real good. Asomugah and DeAngelo Hall will scare even the most veteran of quarterbacks from throwing the ball. Unfortunately, last year proved that most teams don't have to throw the ball against the Raiders. Lane Kiffin comes from a brilliant man named Monte Kiffin, however, and I think that it's a possibility he may be smart enough to figure out how to plug the holes. The Raiders' front seven leaves a lot to be desired, but reports from Oakland camp claim that they have a lot of speed. The fate of this team may lie in that front seven's ability to clamp down the run, force some questionable passes, and let the secondary do all the work.

Prediction: 7-9

2. Denver Broncos (Bodog Over/Under: 7.5)

Over. This team is better than people think it is. Once Brandon Marshall is ready to go, they will have an offense that people will not want to see. Mike Shannahan is excellent at getting his boys up and ready to play. Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stokely will give opposing defenses a fit, and Jay Cutler can throw the ball. This will be Cutler's year to prove that he is one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. If he fails to bring this team to the playoffs, it will all be on his shoulders. They have an excellent rushing attack, Shannahan was the Godfather of the running back by committee. Selvin Young, Ryan Torrain, and Michael Pittman all have the ability to be starting backs in the league, and in combination will force defenses to bring more guys into the box. That should open up Cutler to air out the deep ball, which he can do. If Brandon Marshall stays healthy, this team can do a few things.
Defensively, the Broncos are comfortable with their corners and their linebacker corps. Champ Bailey is still the best cornerback in football, and he negates an entire side of the field for opposing quarterbacks. Dre Bly, not the best cornerback in football, but still one of the better coverage guys in the league. Boss Bailey and Nick Koutovides anchor a solid set of hard-hitting linebackers. I have questions about the defensive line, and the depth of this defense, though. An injury here and there, and the Broncos will be looking at a quick season.

Prediction: 9-7

1. San Diego Chargers (Bodog Over/Under: 10.5)
I think we all knew this was coming. The Chargers are the best team in this division, hands down. The question for the Chargers this season is whether or not they are good enough to win a Super Bowl. The window of opportunity only stays open for a handful of years. It just happens that the Chargers window was open the same time as the Patriots were dominating teams (Please see: 2001-2004 Sacramento Kings). With LT II adding another year onto his legs, one has to start wondering when he will begin to show signs of wear and tear. I'm not saying LT II won't be the most dominant back in the league this season, but at some point these guys break down, and he is nearing his 30th birthday. Phillip Rivers still has a lot to prove as well. It's grand and wonderful that he decided to play with a torn ACL in last season's AFC Championship, but he wasn't effective at all. There was never a point last season where we were saying, "Wow, look at Phil Rivers." The team is also going to be a litle lighter in running backs because of the loss of Michael Turner. We'll see how that affects LT II and the other aspects of this team offensively.
Defensively, this team is sound. For people who don't remember, it was the defense of this team that pushed them in the playoffs. The defense outplayed the Colts' and the Patriots' vaunted offensive schemes, both. It starts with Olshansky and Castillo at the ends, and then with Merriman striking pure fear into the hearts of quarterbacks. Their secondary is anchored by speedy corners, Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie. These guys can play, and I see good things for them. I just don't think they are the cream of the AFC crop.

Prediction: 12-4