Predicting the AFC West: The Oakland Raiders Will Be Relevant in 2010

Today, I start the anticipated NFL predictions for the 2010 season. After carefully reviewing the teams and their schedules, I decided to wait until the middle of preseason to make my picks. Today, we start off with the AFC West.

The AFC West has been ruled by the Chargers for quite a few years, with no team being able to match them within the division. However, can a new team begin to close a gap on the Chargers?

With an offseason filled with stars holding out or being traded, San Diego is not the dominant AFC favorite they were a few years ago.

Can anyone take over the division in 2010? Here are the first predictions of 2010, starting with the AFC West.

1. San Diego Chargers: In 2010, the Chargers will still be the best the AFC West has to offer. Quarterback Philip Rivers has Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd, and Darren Sproles to still throw to, thus being a top-10 offense this season.

The biggest question is on the defensive side overall. However, San Diego benefits from an easy schedule where they don't have to face to many top quarterbacks in 2010.

Prediction: 11-5

2. Oakland Raiders: As mentioned in the title, the Oakland Raiders are going to be relevant to everyone besides Raider Nation in 2010.

They finally have established Jason Campbell as the starter, having confidence he will be the leader for the entire 2010 season. The receiving corps is young, but continuing to make strides under new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson.

My key player to watch is Darren McFadden. It's time for him to prove he can be more than a Reggie Bush type player on the NFL level. If he can help balance out the passing game, the Raiders are a threat on most teams' schedules.

The defense is a middle of the pack unit. But led by Nnamdi Asomugha, the pass defense is a respectable one that is going to be even better in 2010.

I originally thought Rolando McClain was going to be a Raider months before the draft. He is the best linebacker in the class, and will help the run defense immensely.

I don't know for sure who they will defeat, but I see the Raiders pulling off upsets like they did last season, making them a .500 team in 2010.

Prediction: 8-8

3. Denver Broncos: The Broncos have gone through a second straight offseason and training camp that have hurt this team in the end.

First, Brandon Marshall was dealt, who opened up the offense greatly for Kyle Orton. Now Eddie Royal, Eric Decker, and Demaryius Thomas need to contribute, and I am not sure if either of them can be as big of a threat as Marshall was.

On the defensive side, Elvis Dumervil, the team's best pass rusher, was lost for majority of the season two weeks ago. Can Jarvis Moss and Robert Ayers play like first rounders and put pressure on the opposing quarterback? We will have to see it to believe it.

The only situation in Broncos camp I am comfortable with is the secondary, and even that department is aging quickly.

Prediction: 7-9

4. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are going through a rebuilding process that is going to take some time. I am not sold on Matt Cassel as a quarterback, who has looked nothing like the quarterback who took New England to an 11-5 record. I'm also waiting to see when they will improve the offensive line.

The positives? Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel have joined a staff that is beginning to look like a future New England Patriots squad. I did also love the pick of Eric Berry; he will be a star in this league. The running game of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones brings excitement to the Chiefs offense as well.

However, this is a young defense still in transition, with guys such as Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey looking to make an impact on the field.

It will be another long year for Chiefs fans in 2010.

Prediction: 5-11

Tomorrow's predictions will be on the NFC West. Will the Cardinals continue to lead the division, or is a new team ready to emerge as the leader?

Matt Miselis is an NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com.

Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/MattMiselis