2010 AFC West Predictions

            The AFC West in 2009 had little to show in the grand scheme of the NFL. Kansas City had another 10+ losing season for the 3^rd straight season. Denver started out 6-0, only to lose 8 of the next 10 games. Oakland had yet another losing season, which they have experienced every year since their Super Bowl appearance in 2003. San Diego had another 10+ win season, winning the AFC West for the 4^th straight season, but lost to the up and coming Jets in the second round of the playoffs.

            This year in the AFC West should be another slow and uneventful year, but with some minor storylines. Here are my predictions for the 2010 AFC West:

4. Kansas City Chiefs2010 Prediction:2-14

            Herm Edwards once said, “You play to win the game.” The Chiefs certainly play to win, but they tend to lose a lot. For a few years now, that has been the Chiefs’ situation. 2009 was no different. They achieved a 4-12 record, even with quarterback Matt Cassel at the helm. Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel were once good coaches for Bill Belichick, but they are past their prime.

            Fans should not expect anything better than last year however, a new addition in halfback Thomas Jones should be fun to watch. Kansas City could experience another long season with the words of Roger Goodell saying in April: “With the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select…”

3. Denver Broncos2010 Prediction:6-10

            One of the biggest mistakes owner Pat Bowlen made was two years ago when he fired Coach Mike Shanahan. Then Bowlen traded quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago for Kyle Orton, which had its positives for the first six games last year and its negatives for the rest.

            With the loss of wideout Brandon Marshall to the Dolphins, the Broncos will need a definitive #1 receiver to replace him. In recent days, linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who led the league in sacks in 2009, injured his chest and will be out for the 2010 season. The loss of Dumervil will be a huge hit to the Bronco’s defense. The star of the Broncos team has not even played a down, yet his jersey was the top seller in the offseason. Tim Tebow, not the team, will appear all over Sportscenter, which will be the biggest storyline of the 2010 Broncos.

2. Oakland Raiders2010 Prediction:7-9

            The Oakland Raiders have had a lot of problems over the past seven years, to say the least. Now with the departure of ill-fated JaMarcus Russell, the Raiders can focus on becoming a better team. Four of Oakland’s 11 losses were by eight points or less. It is possible that with a different quarterback a year ago, the Raiders could have been over .500 for the first time since 2002.

The Raiders added Jason Campbell, who could help to turn the team around in 2010 and the coming years. Al Davis finally did something rational during the 2010 NFL draft by selecting linebacker Rolando McClain from Alabama in the 1^st round. The Raiders defense that allowed 379 points last year is expected to improve with the addition of McClain as well as defensive end Richard Seymour attending training camp to learn the system better.

Things in Oakland are on the upside, but the Raiders are the Raiders and they should continue to be unless personnel in the front office changes, right Mr. Davis?

1. San Diego Chargers2010 Prediction:11-5

            Last year, the Chargers had a 13-3 record, winning their last 11 regular season games. The New York Jets ended the Chargers playoff run prematurely, signaling LT’s last game as the Bolt Hero.

In the offseason, the Chargers traded cornerback Antonio Cromartie to the Jets and lost defensive tackle Jamal Williams to retirement. Before training camp, star wideout Vincent Jackson and offensive tackle Marcus McNeill refused to sign a tender contract which resulted in holdouts from the two former pro bowlers. When you have all-pro quarterback Philip Rivers leading the charge, there is no shortage of offense, even with the best receiver in the division likely out for the season.

            The Chargers will compile an 11-5 record in the coming season not because they have improved significantly, but because the opponents in the AFC West will not pose a major threat.