AFC West Preview: Do the Chargers have anything to worry about?

This could be the most lopsided division in all of the NFL with only one team being a contender and the other three teams are continuing their rebuilding processes. This division has a long way to go before it gets back to domination.

San Diego Chargers

The defending champions of the West really has nothing to worry about in 2008 when it comes to defending their divisional title. They return basically every piece of their dangerous offensive attack starting with Philip Rivers.

Rivers really came into his own in 2007 as he threw 21 scores and 15 picks and led his team to the AFC Championship game. At running back returns one of the best running backs in the whole NFL, LaDainian Tomlinson.

In 2007 LT ran for 1,474 yards and 15 scores being the biggest threat for the offense, and winning several games all by himself. He got injured in the AFC Championship game and the lack of his presence was felt as the Chargers could not get any offense going and lost the game.

At receiver is Chris Chambers returning for his second season in San Diego after a very good first year in which he caught 66 balls for four scores. Joining him at receiver will be Vincent Jackson who had 41 catches and 3 scores, and Antonio Gates at tight end who has always been a huge target for Rivers. He was not the same in the AFC Title game and it hurt the offense.

On defense the unit is lead by outside backer Shawne Merriman. Merriman had 68 tackles last year and 12 1/2 sacks but has had serious knee issues in the off season.

He has chosen to forgo the surgery until after the season, but if his knee goes it could be devastating for this defense. On the line returns Jamal Williams at nose tackle, Igor Olshansky (49 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, and one pick) and Luis Castillo (33 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks).

The defensive line starters missed a total of nine games last year as both Williams and Castillo sat out. They need to be in and causing pressure for this team if they want to beat New England and Indy.

Jammer returns for the secondary with his 61 tackles and one pick, a number he will need to increase in 2008. At the other corner is Cromartie who had 44 tackles and 10 interceptions in his first year as a full time starter in the NFL. He proved to be a shut down corner and another weapon on this Charger defense.

The Chargers should be 5-0 when they face New England in week six. The Patriots seem to have their number and i don't see that changing yet as the Chargers lose a close one thanks to a Moss score and fall to 5-1. The Chargers only other loss will be to the Saints right before the Bye. The Chargers finish a team best 14-2.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos have not been dominant since the departure of John Elaway and has not have a stable quarterback since. Cutler is getting there but still has far to go as he makes to many mistakes with games on the line. He threw 20 scores and 14 picks in 2007 and the teams success will only go as far as Cutler takes them and that wont be far this year.

He is still to young and raw but he will have this team ready to go in the next two years. At running back stands second year player Selvin Young. In his rookie year Young ran for 729 yards and one score as Denver continued its running back factory.

Michael Pittman comes over from Tampa to provide some depth at the position with his power attack. Colbert comes over from Carolina at the receiver spot with his 32 catches. At the other receiver spot will be the leading receiver from 2007, Brandon Marshall.

Marshall finished 2007 with 101 catches with seven scores but will miss time this coming season due to a suspension from a off the field incident. The offense does not have enough weapons right now to compete for a playoff spot.

On defense the Broncos will have a aging team. Out is John Lynch to New England leaving behind Champ Bailey at corner (84 tackles and three sacks), and Dre' Bly at the other (51 tackles, one sack, five picks). The line is lead by Dumervil who recorded 34 tackles, 12 1/2 sacks and one pick.

The defensive line is a work in progress as they did not record many sacks and has to play three times better in 2008 for this unit to be successful. At backer comes back DJ Williams who recorded 101 tackles, one sack and one pick, and Boss Bailey from Detroit. This defense has a ways to go before they can help this team win. This team should finish 7-9 this year.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs continue its rebuilding process in year three of the Herman Edwards administration. This year the offense looks improved but the defense might be a question mark going into this division. At quarterback is Brodie Croyle the third year man out of Alabama.

In 2007 Croyle threw nine scores and nine picks in only nine games of work. He has to be more consistent as he had games in which he looked good and then when he looked terrible. If he can stay consistent and grow this year, the Chiefs future looks solid. At running back comes back the all pro Larry Johnson.

Last year Johnson recorded 559 yards and three scores in only eight games of work. He needs to stay healthy to take some of the pressure off of Croyle. At receiver the production was not good in 2007.

Darling comes back after only a 18 catch and three score season, Bowe comes back with his 70 catches and five scores, and tight end Tony Gonzalez with his 99 catch five score season. These receivers has to improve their production this year and if they do then the Chiefs could be competitive in some games.

On defense the Chiefs bring back Donnie Edwards at outside backer with his 101 tackles, two sacks and one pick season. Joining him at backer is Derrick Johnson with his 94 catches, 4 sacks, and one pick and Napoleon Harris with his 116 tackles and one sack and one pick.

The LB corps is the strongest part of the defense by far and if they get some help from the line this could be a explosive unit. Surtain comes back at corner after his 58 tackle, 2 pick season in 2007. He needs to prove hes a shut down corner once again. On the other side is rookie Brandon Flowers from Virginia Tech.

He is a very fast and physical corner who should be an upgrade at this position. The Chiefs have the disadvantage of facing New England first to begin the 2008 season and then plays four teams who are all looking to rebuild. The Chiefs should finish 5-11 this year.

Oakland Raiders

Lane Kiffin comes back for his second year at the helm of the Raiders. His first season was not very good as he finished 4-12 but did play some young players to build for the future. JaMarcus Russell comes back for his second season as the full time starter.

In 2007 Russell threw two scores and four picks in only four games of action. If Russell's development continues in a positive way then he will do very well this year. At running back will be a dual threat between Justin Fargas who picked up 1,009 yards and four scores and rookie back from Arkansas Darren McFadden who is a very quick back and will make a instant impact this year.

The Raiders lost Jerry Porter to free agency but picked up Javon Walker who picked up 26 catches in an injury shortened season in 2007. If he can get back to his dominant ways he will be a huge target and have a career year in 2008. At the other spot is Ronald Curry who picked up 55 catches and four scores in 2008. This receiving corps should be a good group for Russell to use.

On defense Derrick Burgess comes back after a down season in 2007 in which he only picked up 39 tackles and eight sacks. joining him on the line will be Tommy Kelly (30 tackles and one sack), Terdell Sands (23 tackles), and second year man Jay Richardson (33 tackles and one sack).

The defensive line is a very young group which will only get better with age. At backer is Thomas Howard (95 tackles, one sack, and six picks), Kirk Morrison with the most tackles on the team with 120 and four picks and at outside backer is Robert Thomas who finished with 62 tackles.

The secondary got better in the off season as they picked up unhappy corner from Atlanta DeAngelo Hall. Hall brings his 228 tackles and 17 picks to a unit that needs take aways. He also brings leadership to a very young unit.

This team is very young and has a ways to go before they become Super Bowl contenders but they should improve in 2008 going 5-11. However, Al Davis might not see any improvements and still look for a new coach.

AFC WEST PREDICTIONS:

San Deigo Chargers 14-2

Denver Broncos 7-9

Kansas City Chiefs 5-11

Oakland Raiders 5-11