AFC West Preview 2009: Scouting the Oakland Raiders' Opponents

In the wild, wild AFC West, the good was bad and the bad was ugly.

San Diego earned a playoff birth, but won the division at 8-8 by winning its final four games.

The Denver Broncos' late season implosion, losing three straight games, was a large reason for the Chargers' third straight AFC West crown.

On their way to a dismal 2-14 mark, the bottom-dwelling Kansas City Chiefs lost their first 11 games before a road victory over...the Oakland Raiders.

The Silver and Black's own 5-11 mark increased the franchise's playoff drought to six years.

It's been a whole offseason, so let's take a look at Oakland stacks up against divisional opposition.

The Denver Broncos

2008 RECORD: 8-8 (3-3 in the Division)

SEASON SERIES: Call it a tale of two games. In the season opener, Jay Cutler picked apart the Raiders for 300 yard and two touchdowns in a 41-14 rout. The Raiders returned the favor in Week 12, winning 31-10 at Mile High Stadium by piling up nearly 150 yards on the ground.

KEY NEW FACES:
The Broncos will see changes at two of the teams key positions—and one of them is off the field.

Denver brings in former Patriot offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as its new head coach to replace the departed Mike Shannahan.

Despite losing Tom Brady for the season, the New England's attack was still potent under McDaniels, finishing in the top-10 in scoring and yards-per-game.

However, all eyes in Denver will be on the team's new signal caller. Former Bucaneer Chris Simms will battle Kyle Orton for the starting quarterback job after the team shipped Jay Cutler to Chicago.

Whoever wins will have the pressure of leading an offense that averaged nearly 400 yard per game in 2008. Cutler, a fan favorite, passed for over 4,500 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.

STRENGTHS: Offense

Even without Cutler, the Broncos' offense should still be formidable, as Denver boasts many passing options for either of the two signal callers.

Brandon Marshall posted over 1,200 receiving yards last season, while rookie Eddie Royal broke out for 980 and five touchdowns.

Tony Schefler and Daniel Graham, who combined for over 1,000 yards receiving and seven touchdowns, should provide solid targets at tight end.

And even without a clear-cut starter in the backfield, the Broncos' running-back-by-committee produced the leagues 12th ranked ground attack.

With Selvin Young cut, incoming rookie Knowshon Moreno should provide an instant impact at the position.

WEAKNESSES: The Defense.

The numbers speak for themselves. Denver struggled against both the air (26th in passing yards allowed) and rushing attacks (27th).

By drafting defensive end Robert Ayers and bringing in Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, the Broncos hope to add some toughness and tackling ability to a unit that allowed 28 points per game.

SCHEDULE

Last year, the Broncos' 7-5 start was by virtue of a weak schedule. A key stretch against Dallas, New England, San Diego, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh will provide a much clearer picture of this team.

Kansas City Chiefs

2008 RECORD: 2-14 (1-4 in the Division)

SEASON SERIES:

Like with Denver, the Raiders split the season series against the Chiefs. Oakland piled up 300 yard on the ground (including 164 by Darren McFadden) en route to a 23-8 Week Two victory. Kansas City later pulled out a surprise 20-13 road victory behind 110 receiving yard by Tony Gonzalez.

KEY NEW FACES:
Like the Broncos, the Chiefs also will see newcomers at head coach and quarterback.

Kansas City brings in former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley in place of Herman Edwards.

Haley coordinated an explosive passing attack for the Super Bowl runner-ups, led by Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin.

The Chiefs also bring in their biggest free-agent acquisition, former Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel.

Cassel filled in admirably for the injured Tom Brady, amassing over 3,600 yards and 21 touchdowns for a 11-5 New England club that barely missed the playoffs.

STRENGTH: The ground game.

There is not much to choose from with a 2-14 team, but the rushing attack was at least respectable in 2009.

Even with Larry Johnson missing the 1,000-yard mark, the Chiefs finished in the middle of the NFL in rushing yards (113.1).

He should have extra motivation to prove doubters this year.

Johnson will be joined by second-year speedster Jamaal Charles and Louisiville product Kolby Smith in the backfield.

WEAKNESS: The Pass Rush.

The Chief's dismal total of 10 sacks was a key reason for having a 20th-ranked pass defense. This comes as no surprise, since the team traded Pro-Bowl defensive end Jared Allen.

Kansas City brought in rookie defensive end Tyson Jackson out of LSU to address this need, but will he and two aging linebackers (free agents Mike Vrabel and Zach Thomas) be enough?

SCHEDULE: Besides a home game against the Raiders, the start of Kansas City's schedule is brutal.

The Chiefs face road trips to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington; and host the Cowboys, Giants, and Chargers.

Kansas City will be lucky to get start at 2-5.

San Diego Chargers

2008 RECORD: 8-8 (5-1 in the Division)

SEASON SERIES:

The Raiders probably don't know which loss to San Diego was worse: blowing a 15-0 halftime lead in Week Four, or getting blown out 34-7 in Week 14.

KEY NEW FACES:

"Don't mess with success" seems to be the motto for this division-winner.

The most notable newcomer for a team that went to second round of the playoffs is the first-round draft pick Larry English.

Chargers hope English, who recorded a school record 31.5 sacks during his career at Northern Illinois, will help bolster the teams pass-rush.

STRENGTH: The passing game.

San Diego boasts a returning 4,000 yard passer in Phillip Rivers.

His main weapons from last year—tight end Antonio Gates, along with wide-outs Malcom Floyd, Chris Chambers, and Vincent Jackson—return, as well.

The Chargers also have a trio of tremendously athletic rookie receivers on the roster.

Jeremy Childs, Greg Carr, and Demetrius Bird should all compete for playing time. And don't forget LaDanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles out of the backfield.

WEAKNESS: The Pass Rush.

This "weakness" is more due to injuries than roster deficiencies.

San Diego's 27 sacks were 14 less than last year's total, but this was largely due to Shawne Merriman missing nearly the entire season.

A healthy Merriman, along with the rookie English, Luis Castillo, Shaun Phillips, and Jyles Tucker, should help strike fear in quarterbacks eyes once again this season.

SCHEDULE:

In between four early division match-ups (in which San Diego will be favored), the Chargers face challenging games against Miami, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore.

If the Chargers manage to go 2-1 those games and perform to expectations in those AFC West matchups, this division could be settled early.

The Prediction

San Diego 12-4
Oakland 6-10
Denver 6-10
Kansas City 3-13

Make it four for the 'Bolts:

Led by a determined Tomlinson, a healthy San Diego sweeps the four early division games to grab an early AFC West lead it will not relinquish.

-Oakland grabs second by sweeping Denver and Kansas City.

-Cassel and Johnson help the Chiefs compete, but rebuilding is rebuilding. The team is out of contention early due to its brutal schedule.

-Despite the receiving weapons, Orton (my prediction for Denver's starter) does not come close to Cutler's production.

The Bronco defense continues to play subpar and dooms the Broncos game after game.