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Nothing seems to for sure in the AFC West accept for the fact that this division will be seen as the worse in all of the NFL. With four rivals from the original AFL days, the competition for the division is heats in less than a week's time for the 50th anniversary of the rebel football league.
The Oakland Raiders have many challenges in this division because nothing is ever for certain when the AFC West is in mind. With the first three games of the schedule against division opponents, Oakland will be hard pressed to not get off to a fast start to reclaim the division crown for the first time since 2002.
Quarterbacks
There is no doubt Phillip Rivers will is the best QB in the division. Since starting the 2006 season, SD has reeled off three straight division titles and Rivers play has given the silver and black issues. To get the tide turning the other way the Raider defensive line will have to and harass him all game long or Rivers will take advantage of the weapons he has on offense.
Matt Cassel's play in New England netted him a hefty contract that financially secured his future. Sad thing is Kansas City doesn't have a lot of weapons around him as the Patriots did.
It will be interesting to see if he was a product of a good system or he is nothing more than a waste like former Chiefs QBs Steve Bono and Elvis Grbac. Week two in KC should be fun for Oakland...again.
Kyle Orton will never be viewed as a pro bowl QB. So far in Denver he has had a rough start and it doesn't seem like anything will change in the foreseeable future. Orton has a dead arm and lacks mobility.
As much as Denver fans enjoyed hounding Jay Cutler, they are going to miss him big time. Pressure makes diamonds and if the Raiders are in Orton's face expect many turnovers.
Running Backs
LaDanian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles give many defenses fits. Last season the combo danced and laughed against the porous Raider run defense. Via trade and free agent signing along the d-line, Oakland is poised to stop this trend from continuing. That is easier said than done.
Larry Johnson seems to be on board with the new regime's scheme in Kansas City. The big bruising back will have to carry much of the load for a offense with limited ability. The revamped Oakland defense stops LJ and you may see a blowout in both games
Denver use use a running back by committee attack this season since they don't have a real starting back. Correll Buckhalter is merely a backup and we found out in Oakland a few years ago that Lamont Jordan carries the same trait.
Knowshon Moreno is a rookie and I wonder when he will start. I don't expect the same success for the running game they had when Mike Shannahan manned the sidelines.
Wide Receivers
San Diego sports a pass attack with big play receivers such as Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, and Malcolm Floyd. That trio respectively averaged 19, 14, and 17 yards a catch in 2008. It will be up to Nnamdi Asmougha, Chris Johnson, and Stanford Routt to limit those big plays so the Charger offense doesn't get going.
Kansas City has wide receivers? Ok Dwayne Bowe but then who? They are in trouble trust that
Denver has a very talented but troubled player in Brandon Marshall. Who knows what will happen with that guy. Denver sure as hell doesn't know. Eddie Royal had a very productive rookie year and Brandon Stokely is a veteran who has super bowl hardware to boast. Thing is...who is passing them the ball?
Tight Ends
Antonio Gates is a problem for any defense and Oakland has a hell of a time figuring how to not let this guy get big third down receptions. Gates is a versatile player and will move all over the field so it isn't just one man who will be responsible for holding him in check.
Chiefs tight ends are more like loose ends. Tony Gonzalez bailed them out so much and Raider people are glad to see that guy in the other conference.
Daniel Graham will be an outlet for Kyle Orton in Denver as he tries to establish himself in the AFC west. Graham has always been a rather productive player through his career and I suspect more of the same in 2009.
Offensive Lines
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