'08-'09 AFC Predictions: Every Team in Every Division

It's that time of year again. Girlfriends, wives, friends, video games, pets, and even personal hygiene, prepare to be neglected. The air has gotten a slight chill, wind has picked up, and next 20 or so Sundays have been put on hold. Football season is here. So without futher ado, here is how I feel the 2008-2009 season will break down, in record order by division. 

AFC West

San Diego Chargers 11-5

The name of the Chargers’ running back escapes me, but if I remember correctly, he’s fairly good. QB Philip Rivers will now have a full season with WR Chris Chambers; the two connected for 35 receptions, 555 yards, and 4 touchdowns in only 10 games together in ’07.

San Diego’s defense might be the best in the league, with the only concern being the ticking-time-bomb knee of stud linebacker Shawn Merriman.

The Chargers have a lot of wins built into their schedule, seeing as four games are against Kansas City and Oakland, and they play Miami, Buffalo, Oakland, and Atlanta this year. The Chargers will coast to their third straight AFC West title.

Denver Broncos 8-8

Can Jay Cutler really lead the Broncos to the Promised Land? We all know he has the arm of a Megaman (a moniker given by my radio show’s co-host Nate), but when will he actually become a passer rather than a thrower?

I do think he has what it takes, but I am not convinced this is the year we will see it.

I think that head coach Mike Shanahan is one of the best in the league, but it does seem like his time in Denver is wearing thin. Even though he has the ability to turn literally anybody into a 1000 yard rusher (watch out for Selvin Young this year), the lack of recent success has him on the hot seat, and things must be turned around this year for his sake.

The Broncos have a nice receiving core, headlined both on and off the field by Brandon Marshall, whose suspension was recently lowered from three games to one.

Even with the NFL’s best defensive player in CB Champ Bailey, the Broncos still seem to lack the overall firepower necessary to survive in the brutal AFC.

Oakland Raiders 6-10

Much like the Atlanta Falcons, the Raiders need to take baby steps and creep out of the basement of their division. It shouldn’t be too hard to do since Kansas City will hold down the back of the bus. The truth is, Oakland really needs to use this season to bolster their team to put them in position to make a move in 2009.

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