NFL PREVIEW: AFC WEST

Now it is time to make my boldest predictions. They are in the AFC West.

Predicted Order of Finish:
1. San Diego Chargers 11-5
2. Oakland Raiders 10-6
2. Kansas City Chiefs 10-6
4. Denver Broncos 6-10

San Diego
Pros: Another year for the AFC West's best team. Phillip Rivers is coming back, and Ryan Matthews will be an upgrade at running back.
Questions: No Vincent Jackson, no Marcus McNeil. Big, big issues. If they can settle those before the season starts, they should be able to win the West.

Oakland
Pros: Jason Campbell and their defense. They dumped the biggest draft bust in history, JaMarcus Russell. They were a darn good team without him last year. I agree with Al Davis- this team will improve big time this year. Fantasy sleeper- Michael Bush, RB
Questions: Someone needs to catch passes. We don't know who right now. We aren't sure who is the starting running back either. They drafted Bruce Campbell to help protect Jason Campbell. Maybe they can get a soup deal together if they do well.




Kansas City
Pros: I love the addition of Charlie Weis, cause the offense was never the problem at Notre Dame. He should help Matt Cassel develop along with DeWayne Bowe and Jamaal Charles. Adding Thomas Jones bring some much needed leadership to the team as well.
Questions: Much like Weis's Notre Dame teams, the entire D needs work. They were ranked 22nd in pass D and 31st in rush. Eric Berry might help in both, especially if he is the next Ed Reed like everyone says. They need Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey to live up to expectations.

Denver
Pros: They still have Champ Bailey, and Jesus really likes Tim Tebow.
Questions: They traded away their best (and only) receiver. All of their running backs are injured. They traded up to draft a project QB. They collapsed at the end of last year. Ryan Clady is dinged up. Elvis Dumervil is missing half the season. It is going to be rough in the mile-high city. Unless, you know, Tebow uses the power of Christ to heal all his teammates.

The Chargers, once again, win the division, and will more than likely do nothing in the playoffs. The Raiders and Chiefs will both be in the Wild Card mix. Denver will need to figure out how to build a team around St. Timothy.