NFL Buy Or Sell: Investing In Each AFC Team's Playoff Hopes

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AFC West

Denver Broncos

2008 result: 8-8, missed playoffs

Offensive ranks: 16th in points, second in yards

Defensive ranks: 30th in points, 29th in yards

Biggest offseason gain: Head coach Josh McDaniels is the unquestioned head man in Denver, whether you like it or not.

Biggest offseason loss: Quarterback Jay Cutler

Buyer beware: The AFC West was the worst division in the AFC, and the Broncos couldn't make the playoffs. Maybe the Jay Cutler trade makes them better for the long haul, but they got worse in the short term.

Buy or Sell: SELL

Kansas City Chiefs

2008 result: 2-14, picked in the top five of the draft for the second straight year.

Offensive ranks: 26th in points, 24th in yards

Defensive ranks: 29th in points, 31st in yards

Biggest offseason gain: Quarterback Matt Cassel

Biggest offseason loss: The Chiefs didn't lose anyone of significance.

Buyer beware: Now that he's out of the Belichick cocoon, we'll see how good Cassel really is.

Buy or Sell: SELL

Oakland Raiders

2008 result: 5-11, missed playoffs

Offensive ranks: 29th in points, 29th in yards

Defensive ranks: 24th in points, 27th in yards

Biggest offseason gain: Quarterback Jeff Garcia's presence should tell JaMarcus Russell that if he doesn't get the job done, the Raiders have someone else who will. Garcia won with less talent in Tampa Bay.

Biggest offseason loss: Center Jake Grove

Buyer beware: The Raiders were second-worst in the league in stopping the run last year.

Buy or Sell: BUY

San Diego Chargers

2008 result:8-8, division champs, lost in Divisional Round.

Offensive ranks: Second in points, 11th in yards

Defensive ranks: 15th in points, 25th in yards

Biggest offseason gain:Applying the franchise tag to RB Darren Sproles keeps the Chargers dynamic rushing duo intact for at least one more season.

Biggest offseason loss: Defensive end Igor Olshansky was a starter for the Chargers for five years.

Buyer beware: Running back LaDainian Tomlinson hits the dreaded age of 30 next week. There are questions about whether or not LT's career is in decline. He'll answer those questions this year.

Buy or Sell: BUY

The way I see it, 10 teams have at least a decent shot at making the playoffs in the AFC, and every division is up for grabs.

This kind of parity is part of what makes the NFL so exciting to follow and watch.

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