5 Factors That Will Decide the AFC West

Over the last three seasons, no division has been as wide open as the wild, wild AFC West.

Last year, Tim Tebow led a remarkable second-half run en route to the Denver Broncos winning their first division title since 2005, and they did so with an 8-8 record. 

The Kansas City Chiefs, the upstart team that surprised everyone by winning the division in 2010, finished last in 2011 with a 7-9 record.

Philip Rivers and his San Diego Chargers seemingly boast a plethora of talent every season, but have recently fallen disappointingly short of expectations. 

We're never quite sure what to make of the Oakland Raiders, a club that'll move into year two of the Carson Palmer experiment this season. 

So, what are the biggest factors that will decide the AFC West in 2012?

Health of Darren McFadden

Through six games last year, Darren McFadden had 768 total yards with five touchdowns and the Raiders were in the thick of things in the AFC West at 4-2. 

Then, in the team's seventh game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Run DMC suffered a foot injury that'd nag him and force him to miss the rest of the season. 

The powerful-yet-elusive back is was a full participant in the team's OTAs and mincamp practice, so he should be ready for training camp. 

If he bounces back, and more importantly can stay healthy for an entire season, something he's failed to do in his four-year NFL career, the Raiders' offense could keep them in a lot of games. 

Because he's versatile and can catch passes out of the backfield, playing Oakland with a healthy McFadden won't be easy. 

How Chargers Play with New Additions and Without Vincent Jackson

The Chargers will look fairly different in 2012 than they have in years past, that's for sure.

Gone are G Kris Dielman, DE Luis Castillo, T Marcus McNeill and WR Vincent Jackson. 

Welcomed to the team are DE Jarret Johnson, OLB Melvin Ingram, T Jared Gaither, and WRs Roscoe Parrish, Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem. 

The level of talent from top to bottom is undoubtedly high in San Diego, it'll just be a matter of each guy finding his unique role on his new team. 

Will the loss of Jackson, one of the best big-play threats in the league, hinder the production of Philip Rivers? 

Or will the dynamic Meachem fill the void? 

Health of Kansas City Chiefs' Injured in 2011

The Chiefs, to many, were on the verge of breaking out to become a legitimate AFC contender in 2011 after their upstart division championship season of 2010. 

Through the first two weeks, their hopes of contending with the league's elite were dashed. 

Tight end Tony Moeaki was lost for the year before a down was played in the regular season. Eric Berry blew out his knee in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills. 

The following week, All-Pro running back Jamaal Charles tore up his knee, and his 2011 campaign was finished. 

All three players will be integral facets of Kansas City's 2012, especially Charles. If they all return to full strength, there's no reason to think the Chiefs don't have a real chance to battle for their second division title in three years. 

Play of Matt Cassel

Matt Cassel pieced together an underrated 2010, throwing 27 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. 

In 2011, the relatively unproven signal-caller regressed. 

He was averaging a paltry 190 yards passing and had 10 touchdowns to nine interceptions through nine games before suffering a hand injury that later ended his season. 

Cassel is the perceived weak link on a rather sound Chiefs roster, and there's no telling if he can remain consistent in more of a game-managing role for KC. 

If he stays on the field and presents more of an aerial threat to opposing defenses, the Chiefs could return to the top of the division. 

Peyton Manning

Ah yes, Peyton Manning. 

Some joked that he should have won the MVP of the NFL last season. While sitting out the entire season with a neck injury, his Indianapolis Colts sputtered to a 2-14 record. 

After an intently-followed test of the free-agent market, Manning was signed by the Denver Broncos, the reigning AFC West champions. 

Over the years, we've seen Manning create dazzling offenses with an variety of pass-catching talent. He's made it work with guys ranging from Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, to Blair White, Brandon Stokley and Jacob Tamme. 

After a year away from the game, will the iconic quarterback pick up where he left off in 2010, when he threw for 4,700 yards with 33 touchdowns and 17 interceptions? 

Or, at 36, will the rust be too hard to shake off? How will he perform with a new cast of characters around him? Can he stay healthy?