AFC West Continues to be Weak

Last season, with three games left, the Broncos needed one win to clinch the AFC West title.  That would have given the Broncos nine wins for the season; instead they lost all three games including the season finale to San Diego.  The weak AFC West was won with an 8-8 record by San Diego.  For the new look Broncos the West looks to be an extremely weak division again in 2009.

Considered once to be one of the most powerful divisions in the NFL, the AFC West has now turned into a doormat.  It doesn’t look like there will be any change in that thought this season for the West.

The schedule sets up this season for the AFC West to play the NFC East and AFC North.  These are two tough divisions with the East be strong top to bottom and the North with the defending Super Bowl Champs Steelers and the Raven who made it to the conference title game.  This will be tough for all four teams along with home and away series against each other.

A tough schedule for the division will only put more pressure on the rookie coaches for Denver, Kansas City and Oakland.  As the three other teams adjust, San Diego will look to make their fourth straight division title.  They will get help on the defense with the return of Shawne Merriman and the offense is looking stay high powered with Philip Rivers leading the way.  The Chargers are the top of the AFC West right now.

For the Broncos who are transitioning to a new offense and defense along with over 30 new players on the roster gives them an opportunity to sneak up and be a surprise in the AFC West.  With two struggling teams in Kansas City Oakland and a San Diego team that won the division with an 8-8 record last there is a place to make a move. 

Out of 16 games each team plays the same schedule for 14 of those games.  The other two games which are set by the finish in the previous year give the Broncos a great opportunity to win a couple more games.  San Diego will have to play one more playoff team then the Broncos and this is a great area to take advantage of the division.

In most years, a Broncos team starting out with new coaches and revamped roster wouldn’t be thought of having a chance to make the playoffs.  With a weak division and playing strong outside divisions will give opportunity to the Broncos to make a strong push for the playoffs in 2009