The Broncos looking to go Mile High again, the Chiefs are dropping off a bit, the Raiders are finally rallying around JaMarcus Russell, and the San Diego Chargers are going in for the kill!
Here, I discuss and give my predictions for the four teams that represent the AFC West.
Denver Broncos: (9-7, misses playoffs)
Coach Mike Shanahan faces heat from the fans after a 7-9 finish but still has owner Pat Bowlen firmly behind him. Still, there’s pressure to get back not only to the playoffs, but also to the elite status the Mile High City has enjoyed.
Denver has its quarterback for years to come in Jay Cutler, but plenty of other questions remain. Players such as receiver Brandon Marshall, center Tom Nalen and guard Ben Hamilton are coming back from injury, and rookie left tackle Ryan Clady will be tasked to protect Cutler’s blind side.
Defensively, the Broncos have nowhere to go but up after giving up the fifth-most points (409) in franchise history. They dumped their defensive boss (coach Jim Bates) and added a new Boss (linebacker Boss Bailey). But other than Champ Bailey, Boss’ older brother, they still don’t have many name players and difference makers.
The Broncos’ biggest move this offseason may turn out to be the decision not to re-sign kicker Jason Elam. The teams all-time leading scorer wasn’t simply Mr. Reliable; he was Mr. Clutch. All in all, there was plenty of change, but there is simply plenty of rebuilding to do to catch division stalwart San Diego. At least the Broncos will get an early idea of how good (or bad) they are. After opening on the road Monday night against Oakland, they have a short week to prepare for the Chargers in Week Two.
Kansas City Chiefs:(2-14, misses playoffs)
The youth movement means a trip to the playoffs is an extreme long shot. While they are hopeful their strategy to rely on youth bears some fruit this season, realistically the Chiefs are pointing towards 2009 as a season when they are serious playoff contenders.
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They will judge this season as a success or failure not necessarily by their record but whether they make strides and become more competitive as the season wears on.
The key to how many games this club can win and how quickly it can become consistently competitive lies in many factors: How quickly can players adapt to new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and his system? Can third-year quarterback Brodie Croyle give the Chiefs more than he did last season? How fast can the numerous rookies and other young players grow up? Can once-dominant running back Larry Johnson regain his Pro Bowl form? Can they overcome the loss of Jared Allen?
Ownership is understanding of the difficulties that result from the relying on youth, so coach Herm Edwards is probably safe to coach at least one more season unless this year is a complete disaster.
As long as the Chiefs improve as the season progresses, are competitive by season’s end, and have prospects for a bright 2009, expect Edwards to be retained for another season in Kansas City. If not, a change is likely.
Oakland Raiders: (5-11, misses playoffs)
As long as owner Al Davis and head coach Lane Kiffin can hold their truce, the Raiders should have no problem improving upon last year’s 4-12 record.
Davis is banking on it, literally. He invested more than $220 million in the offseason and won’t be satisfied with incremental gains in the standings. A lot depends on how quickly the offense comes together with so many new faces.
Second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell is the unquestioned starter, but Oakland has surrounded him with some help. Veteran wide receiver Javon Walker gives Russell a legitimate number one target while the team's first round pick, running back Darren McFadden is a breakaway threat who will change how defenses approach the Raiders.
Defensively, Oakland is built to stop the pass and possesses one of the top cornerback tandems in the NFL with Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall, whom Davis obtained in a trade with Atlanta.
Losing defensive tackle Warren Sapp to retirement hurts, and the team didn’t do enough in the offseason to address its problem stopping the run. That could come back to haunt the Raiders, especially in the AFC West. But with a favorable schedule that has them playing only four games against teams that reached the playoffs last season, the Raiders are in much better shape than they were a year ago.
San Diego Chargers: (16-0, loses Super Bowl XLIII)
This time last year the Chargers were scratching their heads over a clumsy coaching move—Norv Turner replacing Marty Schottenheimer.
This year, the Chargers don’t enter the season on such a tumultuous note. And they’re hoping their campaign ends in a Super manner.
The Chargers are legitimate contenders for another deep run into the playoffs, and anything less than reaching the Super Bowl will be a disappointment.
LaDainian Tomlinson is at the summit of his Hall of Fame career and Philip Rivers should be healthy after serious knee surgery. The defense is stingy, built around forcing turnovers. The front office didn’t alter the roster much; there was no need to after the Chargers advanced to the AFC Championship Game.
The Chargers did lose key players in fullback Lorenzo Neal, safety Marlon McCree and nickel back Drayton Florence. But replacements were found in-house or through the draft.
The Chargers have won three of the last four AFC West titles. Their aspirations though, are much higher. Still, there are some red flags. Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates hopes to rebound from toe surgery, as does center Nick Hardwick from a foot operation. Second-year pro Eric Weddle must fill the void left by McCree’s defection. And rookie Antoine Cason has to prove he’s an NFL nickel back. While no team is without blemishes, the Chargers don’t have many.
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2 months ago
This is very stupid. 16-0. Stop sniffing paint chips.
from 2 months ago
no team on the Chargers matched up too well to them. the teams on San Diego's schedule all have a number of missing pieces, that includes the Oakland Raiders, who have a number of issues that still need to be addressed. It's been that way for 27 years.
from about 1 month ago
Typical Raider Fan response. Anytime someone says the Chargers will do good they will say you are smoking something or out of your mind. One thing for certain, the Chargers will whip the Raiders both times this year giving them a guarenteed two wins towards that 16 and 0 record. 11-5 last year with two playoff victories. 16 and 0 is quite possible. Oh !!! , I forgot. What was the great Oakland Raiders record last year? Was it 14 wins and 2 loses?............. Not. This year the Raiders will probably go 0-16. The team can then add another worthless Heisman Trophy winner and continue the dubious acalade of the Al Smith drafting the most Heisman Trophy winners without winning a playoff game.
2 months ago
dang the chiefs at 2-11? Man I hope that isn't so nor do I think they will be that bad. I think the chiefs get at least 5 wins. The Raiders have a lot more problems than the Chiefs do. San Diego is the best team in the division by far, but its extremely unlikely they will finish 16-0. This division usually beats each other up regardless of what records are.
from 2 months ago
first of all, the Chiefs will not go 2-11 to end the regular season. that, my friend is impossible...you mightve made an error in your typing. but you are very right about the San Diego Chargers being the powerhouse or the AFC West. i just dont see a team in the AFC thats as well put together as the San Diego Chargers. thanks for the comment! highly appreciated...
from 2 months ago
a lot more problems than the chiefs? lol, like what? what can you honestly say the chiefs are better at?
2 months ago
Carter-
Shanahan was one time out away from being swept by the Raiders. It would be unlikely to think that the Broncos will finish 2nd in the division.
The only thing you might be close on is the Chiefs going 2-14, but Herm Edwards has Larry Johnson coming back and he's probably not going to hire Tom Walsh to be the OC so your 2-14 prediction might be a little aggresive.
The Raiders had a 4th quarter lead in something like half their games and ended up losing against the toughest schedule in the NFL. The Raider's schedule ranks 30th going into this year.
Norv Truner keeping San Diego focused enough to attain a 16-0 season is about as likely as the Chiefs going 2-11. The Chargers are the best team in football but going 16-0 requires a chemistry/culture that does not exist in San Diego.
from 2 months ago
Mike Shanahan is an absolute great coach, one of the best of all time. Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The Broncos organization did a better addressing their needs during the offseason than the Raiders. they had many issues with their inconsistancy at the wide receiver position. They capitalized on those issues by adding great talent like Keary Colbert, Samie Parker, and Darrell Jackson. Jay Cutler is the quarterback for the future for the Broncos, but a playoff season isnt really in the mix for the Broncos just yet. Denver needs to learn to adapt with each other first in many key game situations before they can think about playoffs. Mike Shanahan will get them there sooner rather than later. A 9-7 record and a 2nd place division finish seems very logical for a season prediction.
The Kansas City Chiefs will indeed be having a rebuilding year in 2008, which obviously means no winning season. This team has alot of young and inexperienced players on their roster who will also get much playing time. Herm Edwards is a great tough coach, but with the key departures he had during the offseason such as Jared Allen, Ty Law, Eddie Kennison, Samie Parker (signed with Denver i might add) along with key offensive linemen such as Casey Wiegmann and John Welbourn, those holes that those key players made will be too big to fill. Even Glenn Dorsey could have a tough time filling in for the Chiefs inconsistant defense that ranked 28th against the run last year. only a couple of wins behind the arm of future star of Brodie Croyle seems accurate.
You also made it very clear that the Oakland Raiders had a hard time holding late leads, which is one of the main reasons for many of their losses last year. The only teams i see Oakland putting up wins against are Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami, and Kansas City (twice) equalling to 5 wins.
and as i mentioned earlier, i just dont see a team in the AFC thats as well put together as the San Diego Chargers. a strong reason why i see the Chargers possibly winning many of their games.
from 2 months ago
belive me the broncos bad season was a fluke. secound sounds good in a weak division
from 2 months ago
9-7 is a great prediction for a average team in a really bad division
from 2 months ago
Carter-
Alomst...horse shoes and handgrenades...Denver got handled in the second game and the Raiders played two different QB's in that game...that indicates momentum and separation which will carry over into this next season. Casey Wiegman is entering his 14th year and Left Tackle is an issue that will bite Denver's rushing attack.
Denver did add some mediocre 500 yard at best WR's...but that will not stop the momentum that the Raiders built against their organization last year...especially since the Raiders' secondary just became one of the best in the league this off-season.
Mike Shanahan is a good coach but Kiffin's cutback system is better. Jon Gruden handled Shanahan and Kiffin will do the same.
Herm Edwards is not a great coach, just a great mouth who barely snuck into the playoffs as a wild card a couple of times and got a bunch of press because he was in NYC. The Raiders bounced him out of the playoffs twice.
2 months ago
One more thing. The Raiders had the best regular season record in the NFL from 1999-2002 so it has not "been that way" for 27 years...the Raiders went down with Rich Gannon, not Al Davis, my friend.
2 months ago
Great point! The Raiders had many wins from the 1999-2002 seasons. However, they did get many wins but they did not take home a World Championship during that span. They got close in 2003 but went on to give up way too many points in the loss to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVIII. I did miss count, their last Championship was in 1984, (defeating the Redskins 38-9) so thats 24 years...which will turn to 25.
2 months ago
i think the Broncos are off the radar cause of last season. But look at our schedule, i think its the third easiest in the NFL. So i do not see the Broncos finishing with no less than 9 wins. I personally believe the Broncos can finish in the range of 10-6 or 11-5 and be a wild card team. They will most certainly finish behind the Chargers. Also Mike Shanahan is under his third year with Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Tony Scheffler, do you know what that means, success. Under Mike Shanahan in his third year players have thrived, especially QB's. So i think Denver will be a surprise team in 08. Look at my article for the chart. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/26535-denver-broncos-are-they-contenders-in-08
Or type in denver broncos are they contenders in 08. This chart shows how Mike Shanahan has made QB's into pro bowl players in his third year with them.
from 2 months ago
the 10-6 and 11-5 records are also very reasonable predictions. i guess we'll have to sit back and watch the Broncos to see which record they do finish with. Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall are very good QB-WR combo that i will look forward to see play.
from 2 months ago
thats a little skewed cuz you play a 1-15 team and 4 games against 4-12 teams (miami and oakland/kc. need i remind you that oakland was one TO away from a sweep?).
that would make your schedule appear easier than it really is. other teams you play are a pissed off new orleans and panthers, the chargers twice, the browns, jaguars, the patriots, and the bills.
id say theres at least 6 losses right there. and oakland is a legit threat this year, at least to you guys.
from 2 months ago
You are right on Noel, Oakland has the Bronco's number now.
What is interesting is that the AFC West schedule is so light and add that to Chiefs being the doormat of the NFL, the 2nd place team in the division may likely earn a wild card.
I am careful about saying the Raiders will be in the playoffs, however, they will be 2 years removed from the Art Shell disaster and it sure looks like KC and Denver can provide 4 wins...they were a timeout away from 3 of them last year.
from 2 months ago
yeah, if everything works out as planned, but San Diego is prob going to the Super Bowl. I'll admit that, even as a Broncos fan. I just don't like Rivers too much. Everybody else is damn good.
2 months ago
Oh yeah and i do not know about the Chargers finishing with a perfect season, the Patriots last year were an exception and they had a tough time at the end of the sesaon getting the prefect season, they Pats should have finished 14-2 if they games were not called in there favor. I do see the Chargers getting no less than 13 wins though, but not 16
about 1 month ago
The only 16 the chargers will get are 16 tears when they walk past their trophy case. 16 tears 0 Lombardi’s. It’s time to switch to the dark side. The RAIDERS will rule once more.
about 1 month ago
IGHT THE BRONCOS WERE NOT THAT GOOD LAST SEASON AN THERE R MANY REASONS 4 THAT STARTING WIT INJURIES. THE BRONCOS HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG PLAYERS AND VERY FEW BIG NAME PLAYERS BUT I AM 100% SURE THAT JAY CUTLER, BRANDON MARSHALL, TONY SCHEFFLER, BRANDON STOKLEY, SELVIN YOUNG, DJ WILLIAMS, JARVIS MOSS, BOSS BAILY, AND CHAMP BAILY ARE GOING 2 STEP THERE GAME UP 2 THE POTENTIAL THAT THEY ALL HAVE AND I AM 100% SURE DAT THE 3 ROOKIRS THE BRONCOS GOT (EDDIE ROYAL, RYAN CLADY, AND RYAN TORIAN) R GOIN 2 IMPRESS A LOT OF PEOPLE EVEN U PEOPLE WHO HATE THE BRONCOS SO I'M SAYN THE BRONCOS WILL FINISH 12-4 AND THE CHARGERS 13-3 CHIEFS 5-11 RAIDERS 4-12 AN IF U GUYS REALLY THINK THE RAIDERS WILL BEAT THE BRONCOS THIS SEASON HAHAHAHA THATS A JOKE RIGHT THE BRONCOS R BACK BABY DENVER BRONCOS ALL THE WAY #1
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