The AFC in total is a star-filled tough division for any team to play in. You never know which team will make it to the Super Bowl it could be any team. For now lets focus on the AFC West.
This division I picked for many reasons. Talent, toughness, and rivalry. The AFC West is composed of the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and the San Diego Chargers.
Now it's been obvious that the Chargers have recently in the past two years taken control of the AFC West and have not been dethroned yet. Will there be a team to do the job and dethrone the Chargers?
I do not think so this year, but I can see the teams that will follow behind the Chargers. I see the Chargers getting a boost from last season and finishing 12-4.
First the Denver Broncos: They had a bad year last year and were predicted to be Super Bowl contenders after acquired all that talent. They can bounce back with Mike Shanahan. This team by far has the best talent out of any other team with a losing record, so the Broncos will be the easiest team to bounce back from there losing record.
Some other reasons why the Broncos will be No. 2 is because Brandon Marshall has emerged as an elite receiver, The Broncos have also acquired some veteran talent at wide receiver in Keary Colbert and Darrell Jackson.
They also drafted the speedy Eddie Royal out of Virginia Tech. Do not forget about Jay Cutler too under their third year QB's in Mike Shanahan's system thrive. So I see the Broncos finishing 10-6.
The second team I see in the AFC West is the Kansas City Chiefs. Many people think that the Oakland Raiders will take this spot, but knowing the Raiders, they will need some more time to be considered even possibly good, although they have talent I think next year they will bump to the No. 3 spot in the AFC West.
The Kansas City Chiefs had an abysmal season, they finished 4-12 and had much inconsistency with there offense, specifically the QB. The QB battle between Brodie Croyle, and Damon Huard.
If they can find a consistent spot at QB then they will do much better. After Dwayne Bowe emerged as a good receiver in Kansas City, and Tony Gonzalez continues to be...well, he continues to be Tony Gonzalez, and there defense plays good then they will improve upon last year.
Do not forget about their rookie pick up's most famous choices being Glenn Dorsey from LSU and Branden Albert from Virginia. Picking up two quality first round draft picks like those are key to rebuilding a franchise. The Chiefs still have a losing record but they finish stronger. I see the Chiefs finishing 7-9.
The last team are the Oakland Raiders. They have added the most talent this offseason, more than any other team by far. The only thing is that some of the talent were overhyped, looked better than they acutely were or are bruised up.
Javon Walker had torn an ACL, had surgery on his knee and never performed the same after the first two games of the 2007 season with the Denver Broncos. Gibril Wilson looked better than he really was behind an amazing New York Giants defense, he's good but not big contract this early good.
Also signing Tommy Kelly to the biggest contract for a defensive lineman when he does not have the talent to be that overpaid is also a reason why I question the Raiders organization. Darren McFadden is good, talented, and fast. There is only one problem: his legs go dead on contact, and he has some character issues and in Oakland that won't help him.
The only safe pick I saw coming out of all this was DeAngelo Hall, who will produce instantly. If all goes well with the talent though, the Raiders will finish behind the Broncos. But if all that talent does not produce, the Raiders will have another abysmal season and finish 6-10. If they produce well they will finish above the Chiefs with a 8-8 record.
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4 months ago
Excuse me
4 months ago
Excuse me dumb ass. What's up with the "raiders-like season comment? Why do so many forget that the Raiders dominated the early part of this decade and probably would have won a superbowl if not for the Cheatriats and their 2001 9/11 hyped, referee-conforming, "patriotized", fake, Bs call of the centuary, tuck rule, crap of a cheat. And let us not forget the winningnest american sports franchise in history. So young one; don't use the term "raider-like" to depict anything other then a dominant force that has been sleeping and sure to rise again soon. It is the Raider way to rule fools like you mr author man.
from 4 months ago
if you read carefully smart one i said if all the talent acquired is good quality, then they will do good. We all know since the Raiders lost to the one of the most one sided victory's in super bowl history against the Buccaneers they have been a tainted franchise and do not use past history to try to make Raiders look better it is about the present not the past. I have nothing against the raiders i'm just saying that they have not been smart in what they are doing, and if all there overhyped, and risky talent do not perform they will not do good. So raider-like season is gonna happen if your so called talent does not perform. I wrote the article for a reason, not to sugarcoat what is gonna happen, but to tell it how it is. We all know a franchise just cant turn around in a season, it takes two or more. You guys have had since super bowl 37 against the Buccaneers. So they way i see it, the Raiders will not produce immediately, Cinderella stories just don't happen like that in the NFL.
from 3 months ago
coming from a guy who is a fan of a team in 27 years! not much success can come from the raiders.. JaMarcus Russell is the only thing the Raiders have going for them right now. Don't go crying to mommy when you look at the Raiders win total in January and it has 5 wins or less on it...
4 months ago
Denver had a lot of great talent last year and what did it get them? They lost their best wide receiver and running back and are headed straight downhill. They need a talented quarterback that can make smart decisions and not run scared. It's hard for anyone to throw accurate passes while lying on your back. Talent doesn't count for much when you don't have a good coach so Denver is screwed for this year and many more to come. Kansas City will dominate them this year. So will every other team in the NFL, escpecially San Diego and Oakland.
4 months ago
Biggest problem with this, is the author is trying to link overspending from a club, like Oakland, with losing. So what if the Raiders decided to spend more money than some small countries? In this day and age, you have clubs with money, and clubs with little to nothing.
The author also seems to have forgotten to look at the schedule the Raiders will be playing. It's the 3rd easiest in the NFL, with a number of creampuff teams to deal with. He also seems to forget, this was the Raiders squad that won in KC and beat Denver in Oakland, but could have swept both games, Denver by a bad timeout call and a close one in Oakland.
The Raiders did all that, without a dedicated running back, and adding a stronger running game with McFadden, I don't see the Raiders at 8-8....more realistic at 10-6, fighting for a wild card.
from 4 months ago
franchises don't turn around in one season, especially if it is the raiders, 8-8 is better than realistic, message me back at the end of the 2008 season when the raiders are 8-8 and i end up being right. The Broncos did the same exact thing in 2007 picking up all that talent and people thought the broncos would be super bowl contenders. What happened, the talent turned out being washed out, injured, and did not perform well. That left the Broncos with there first losing record in this millennium. The Broncos were good then and they turned bad fast. The Raiders already have enough problems as it is, so if there talent do not perform they will have a bad season like the broncos did a year ago. If there talent performs they will do better, but they will not fight for a wild-card let me tell you that. 10-6 is a ridiculous turn around from 4-12 it does not happen that easily. Raiders fan's act ignorant as hell in websites, you don's see anything realistic its all about what you can imagine.
4 months ago
Actually Brandon, franchises can. Ever hear of the boston Celtics? one year turnaround.
Let's look at football a second. The biggest one year turnaround for the Raiders, went from 1-13 to 10-4. That's a 9 game improvement. For the more recent, a 4-12 club under Joe Bugel went to 8-8, in one year, 4 games better.
You can also cut out the bias, simply because I know other clubs are going to have more problems. Take KC for example. They still believe that Brodie Croyle is the future. Add into the fact that Larry Johnson is starting to wear out from all the carries and pounding, you can say all you like about their draft picks...but if the QB is throwing picks, they aren't getting into the end zone.
That, and you could also hang a few question marks on the Chargers, first of all, not having Neal to open holes for LT, or if Norv Turner decides to do any more foolish stunts, it's a flip of the coin.
Lastly, you like Denver in the number two hole, which would probably have Brian Baldinger scratching his head. This is the same club that had a WR get injured messing around. Add into it Tom Nalen center just went under the knife and Cutler is learning to play with a recurring illness, it'll be interesting to see if Shanahan even has a job after this year. If the GM went first, mikey will be the next to go if they fail to reach the playoffs.
As for being realistic, go back through last year, and count how many games were decided by a touchdown or less. with a few exceptions, we held out well, considering we overhauled the coaching staff, ditched a disgruntled Moss, and had a number one pick hold out all training camp.
I'm looking at a better picture, you're looking like the typical media, like the NFL network....nothing good can happen in Oakland.
4 months ago
alright lets see what happens, to all the raiders fans commenting on my page. Lets see how the raiders finish. Get back to me about 7 months from now and we will see who right and wrong. Also my name is not Brandon smart ass, its Brendon. not only are the raiders fan ignorant, but they cant read. Have a nice day. And as for the NFL Network comment, they are usually right.... correct. Thats why they get paid so much to research and do all there work so they are right and im agreeing with them. For now though lwts just see how your beloved Raiders do this upcoming season.
from 4 months ago
alright lets see what happens, to all the raiders fans commenting on my page. Lets see how the raiders finish. Get back to me about 7 months from now and we will see who right and wrong. Also my name is not Brandon smart ass, its Brendon. not only are the raiders fan ignorant, but they cant read. Have a nice day. And as for the NFL Network comment, they are usually right.... correct. Thats why they get paid so much to research and do all there work so they are right and im agreeing with them. For now though lwts just see how your beloved Raiders do this upcoming season.
4 months ago
raider fans are the most passionate fans in the entire NFL. they stick with there teams no matter how good or bad they are. the raiders have really improved in the offseason by going out and getting players on offense and defense. the raiders will challenge the chargers for the AFC west title and the raiders will make the playoffs as a wild card or a division winner. the broncos and chiefs are just not good.
4 months ago
Seriously... the Chiefs are going to be good for what reasons? The Broncos won't be any better than last year. If Larry Johnson can't run, the Chiefs don't win. If the Broncos are to win, it will have to be on the ground against the Raiders because Cutler can't pass on this D ... you know this. Chargers may win the division, but I believe the Raiders will be right behind them.
4 months ago
Seriously... the Chiefs are going to be good for what reasons? The Broncos won't be any better than last year. If Larry Johnson can't run, the Chiefs don't win. If the Broncos are to win, it will have to be on the ground against the Raiders because Cutler can't pass on this D ... you know this. Chargers may win the division, but I believe the Raiders will be right behind them.
4 months ago
Seriously... the Chiefs are going to be good for what reasons? The Broncos won't be any better than last year. If Larry Johnson can't run, the Chiefs don't win. If the Broncos are to win, it will have to be on the ground against the Raiders because Cutler can't pass on this D ... you know this. Chargers may win the division, but I believe the Raiders will be right behind them.
4 months ago
Seriously... the Chiefs are going to be good for what reasons? The Broncos won't be any better than last year. If Larry Johnson can't run, the Chiefs don't win. If the Broncos are to win, it will have to be on the ground against the Raiders because Cutler can't pass on this D ... you know this. Chargers may win the division, but I believe the Raiders will be right behind them.
4 months ago
Seriously... the Chiefs are going to be good for what reasons? The Broncos won't be any better than last year. If Larry Johnson can't run, the Chiefs don't win. If the Broncos are to win, it will have to be on the ground against the Raiders because Cutler can't pass on this D ... you know this. Chargers may win the division, but I believe the Raiders will be right behind them.
4 months ago
Seriously... the Chiefs are going to be good for what reasons? The Broncos won't be any better than last year. If Larry Johnson can't run, the Chiefs don't win. If the Broncos are to win, it will have to be on the ground against the Raiders because Cutler can't pass on this D ... you know this. Chargers may win the division, but I believe the Raiders will be right behind them.
3 months ago
True. The Chargers will win the division again with the Raiders right behind them. Just win baby !
3 months ago
the raiders will challenge alright, but it will be with the cheifs and it will be for last place. As far as the raiders secondary, who couldn't pass on them last season. Chargers hands down win the division, broncos will be far behind them winning only 7 games max and kc and oak might combine for 6. Bottom line weak division.
3 months ago
First of all, the Bronco's were never considered a Superbowl contender by anyone going into last season… that should say something about the credibility of the writer.
The Chargers are the most talented team in football. They'll win the AFC West despite Norv Turner and LT's arrogant attitude.
The Raiders should have beaten the Broncos twice last season and with an improved roster and another year with Kiffin they'll take the second spot.
The Broncos are a team devoid of offensive talent outside of Brandon Marshall. They also will have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL this year. The Broncos finished their run of .500 football or better when Plummer decided he was retiring two years ago.
The Chiefs are just headed in the wrong direction top to bottom.
But make no mistake about it, the Broncos will be competing for the 3rd spot in a weakened division and the Chiefs will be not only in the basement of the AFC West but also the doormat of the NFL.
3 months ago
Most of the games lost in 07 by the Raifers were by a small margin. I will give the Chargless Bolts the #1 spot in the AFC West in 08 but the Raiders will be trailing very close. I think the Raiders will beat them late in the season. I said it before and I will say it again, the Charless Bolts need to enjoy the spotlight while it lasts because it wont be for long. Raiders 2nd, Bronkhoes 3rd, and Condiments 4th.
3 months ago
Good responses Raider Card. Seems to me like you know your $hit.
3 months ago
props to Brendon on a fantastic article...just like mine...i Say Oakland Raiders get only get a few wins as well, just like Brendon over here. i say only 5 wins for Al Davis' semi-talented team. to all the Raiders fans out there....dont hate just because all the rest of the owners in the AFC West division are actually using their money to buy great talent...and it showed especially for the Broncos and Chargers... great job Brendon! fantastic article! read mine if youd like...
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