AFC West Division Preview
by avishah5789 on Aug 2, 2010 9:38 PM PDT
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PrintA few friends and I got together and started a sports blog called Pardon My Bias. We cover all sports and give our analysis on them. I just wrote this article on a preview of the AFC West. If you enjoy this, please check out more of our articles at http://www.pardonmybias.com
NFL Divisional Preview: AFC West
The AFC West has been the Chargers division for the last 4 years, and they are once again the clear cut favorites. The division has been known as one of the weakest in the league the last few years, but is filled with franchises with storied histories who are hungry to win again.
San Diego Chargers
The Chargers finished last season with a 13-3 record with the #2 seed in the AFC but were upset by the New York Jets AFC Divisional game. The season was highlighted by the 11-game win streak after starting the season 2-3. Expectations for the Bolts were once again high going into the playoffs as the hottest team, only to be steamrolled. This is a reputation the Chargers have gained—a team that does well during the season, but disappoints during the post season.
This year also marks the beginning of the post-LT era in San Diego. Tomlinson had a disappointing season last year with a career-low 730 yards, and most believe he is on the decline of his career. The carries will now be handed to Darren Sproles and 12th pick in the 2010 draft Ryan Mathews. There is a lot of pressure on the RBs to bring the Chargers back to a strong running game they had with LT.
The Chargers have also come into camp with some unhappy campers. WR Vincent Jackson, OT Marcus McNeill, and OLB/DE Shawn Merriman are all holdouts. Vincent Jackson has also been suspended three games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy which is going to hurt the Chargers who don’t have the strongest receiving core.
I think the Chargers will struggle this season, but still finish with the top record. What remains to be seen is if they are able to make a real run into the playoffs, which has been the expectation for the last few years.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs finished with one of the worst records in the league last year at 4-12. A lot of pressure falls onto the Matt Cassel’s shoulders this season who was signed to a 6-year, $63 million contract in July 2009. He did a great job in 2008 when filling in for Tom Brady in New England, but things did not pan out well last season for Cassel when he finished with 2,924 yards, 16 TDs, and 16 INT with a 69.9 passer rating. The picks were clearly too high and will need to come down for the Chiefs to have a chance at winning more than four games this year.
Cassel has two good targets in Chris Chambers and Dwayne Bowe, but Cassel’s efficiency must go up. Jamaal Charles will be the main running back this season after Larry Johnson was cut in week 9 last season. Charles was splitting carries with Kolby Smith, but he will see a much more important role this season. I believe this could be a breakout season for Charles being on a weak team. The Chiefs have some good veterans in Make Vrabel, Bobby Engram, and Mike Brown, who will have to help develop some of the Chief’s young talent.
At the end of the day, the Chiefs still have another tough season.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos finished with a mediocre and disappointing 8-8 record last year. In 2009, the Josh McDaniels era began in Denver. His first move was quite a surprise as they traded star quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago for Kyle Orton.
At first, McDaniels looked like a genius as Cutler led the Broncos to a 6-0 record, but gravity soon caught up in the Mile-High City. The hot start was quickly cooled by losses to the Ravens, Steelers, Redskins, and Chargers. Kyle Orton did well as his numbers improved from his days in Chicago, but he and the Broncos were not able to translate it into wins.
Denver backed up the QB position this offseason when the acquired Brady Quinn from the Cleveland Browns and drafted Heisman Trophy-Winner Tim Tebow with the 25th pick. Experts have been hesitant on how Tebow’s game would translate into the pros and many considered the 25th pick to be way too high for Tebow. The Broncos have taken a big gamble and it remains to be seen how Tebow does as a pro.
One big loss the Broncos had this offseason was trading Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins for two draft picks. Marshall was a real threat down field, and finished with 101 receptions and 10 TDs.
Denver has a good running back in Knowshon Moreno, but need a stronger offensive attack. The defense is led by veteran Brian Dawkins and our under a new defensive coordinator in Don Martindale.
The Broncos have missed the playoffs for four straight seasons, and will need a miraculous season to knock the Chargers of the AFC West throne.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have been going downhill for the last seven seasons, and continued the roll last season finishing 5-11. It’s been a tough few years for some of the league’s best fans; trust me, I would know. This will be the second full season under hard-nosed coach Tom Cable.
The Raiders finally cut their losses with 2007 NFL draft’s #1 pick, and #1 bust, JaMarcus Russell who never was able to live up to his hype. They were able to pick up former Washington Redskins’ QB Jason Campbell who will battle for the starting position with Bruce Gradkowski.
The Raiders have finished the last two seasons at 5-11, and winning two more games this season would be considered a success. Young running back Darren McFadden has a great set of skills but will need to have a strong season for the Raiders to be successful. The Raiders have put together some good young pieces with Darren McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Johnnie Lee Higgins, and Zach Miller.
The defense has good cornerstones in Richard Seymour and Nnamdi Asomugha, and will be adding LB Rolando McClain, the 8th pick from the 2010 draft. Although the Raiders haven’t been able to translate good football into wins, this has been the best they’ve played since their 2002 Super Bowl appearance.
The Raiders have an opportunity this season to challenge the Broncos for finishing in the second spot for the AFC West.
Predicted Standings
| Team | Record | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | San Diego Chargers | 11-5 |
| 2. | Denver Broncos | 7-9 |
| 3. | Oakland Raders | 6-10 |
| 4. | Kansas City Chiefs | 4-12 |
This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.
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Comments
Sounds about right.
Well let me welcome everybody to the wild wild west. A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness.
SD and KC win 2 more, denver loses 2 more
Chargers 13-3 (plus 2 play-off wins and an SB win. final record 16-3)
KC 6-10
Oak 6-10
Den 5-11
"i'm not inclined to resign to maturity"...PSYCH theme
by $#%@ eli and his daddy on Aug 3, 2010 5:53 PM PDT reply actions
Thats the funniest thing ive ever seen besides...
by raiderfan4life on Aug 4, 2010 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions
bitter because you never have beaten him?
i dont blame you, and now he has signed an extension to keep beating the raiders for years to come.
See Raider fans? now thats how you draft a REAL QB!
"i'm not inclined to resign to maturity"...PSYCH theme
by $#%@ eli and his daddy on Aug 4, 2010 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions
What about this?
Please don't read my signature.
by SoCalBoltFan on Aug 10, 2010 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions
For being an article...do research
Engram and Brown havent been with the Chiefs for a while now.
Jamaal Charles...Enough said.
Thats what i was thinking myself.
Sounds like he don’t know a damn thing about the Chiefs. Naming players that aren’t here and not even mentioning Berry. I think you guys would have been better off starting A.A CLUB.
Disclaimer: Comments above are not meant to be taken with a grain of salt.
Seems pretty unbiased.
Just to nitpick, Kolby Smith is now with the Denver Broncos.
Cutler led the Broncos to a 6-0 record,
I think that you meant Kyle Orton. lol.
All in all I felt it was a pretty unbiased article. However, I believe that the Broncos will have a better record then 7-9, they are going to shock the world. Now I’m not saying that they will win the division, but I think that they will at least go 9-7 and get a wild-card spot.
But then again, maybe I’m just thinking that because I’m a Broncos fan! ;)
"I used to fight the pain, but recently this became clear to me: pain is not my enemy; it is my call to greatness."
"Victory belongs to the most persevering." --Napoleon.
Interesting
Before you write an article about other teams in the division go find some facts first. The Chiefs will be way better this year and give your San Diego Chargers a run for their money in the division along with Oakland. Denver will fall this year. Kolby Smith, Mike Brown and Bobby Engram are not on the Chiefs roster anymore and we have picked up a tremendous running back in the off season known as Thomas Jones. Plus we have new draft picks Eric Berry, and Kendrick Lewis at the Safety positions that will pick off Phillip Rivers all day. We also have Dexter McCluster also known as DMC who will be a threat in the run and pass game. So before you write up an article get your facts better first and you may have better responses to your writings. Thanks have a great day! Also read Arrowhead Prides Blog, they have alot of information if you need it.
where to begin.......
first of, he didnt say Kolby was still a Chief. If you re-read it, it simply says he was splitting carries with Charles.
2nd, Thomas Jones will be 34. Granted, he will be splitting carries this year, but thats still pretty old to be pinning such high hopes on
3rd. the jury is still out on Berry, but Rivers continues to pile up wins against the raiders and Asomuagh, and he is supposedly the best corner to ever walk the face of the earth (if you listen to the raider village)
i have no doubt the Chiefs will be better this year (the raiders only maginally) but i think they are still at least a year (and a top flight QB) from contending…. we shall see
"i'm not inclined to resign to maturity"...PSYCH theme
by $#%@ eli and his daddy on Aug 5, 2010 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
This is where I am
Priority one: pass the ball. Meh.
Priority two: protect the passer: so far, not so good.
Priority three: get at the passer; so far, not so good.
Lesser priorities: A lot to like.
The Chiefs are a pass rush away from being a remote WC contender, and a passing game away from being a regular WC contender, ready to pick up any opportunities.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 5, 2010 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions
San Diego 11-5
Oakland 8-8
KC 6-10
Denver 5-11
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 5, 2010 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
lol? Eric Berry hasn't played a down and all of a sudden he will pick off Rivers all day?
Trust me I know, when we drafted Michael Huff (a safety similar to Berry) ppl were saying he was a playmaker and what not and look what happened. He is progressing now in his 4th year. Since this is a passing league, CB’s and Safeties won’t set the world on fire as rookies… they have to adapt, and that takes a couple years. DT’s and LB’s take less time because it is easy to stop a RB with great instincts and talent, rookie LB’s may struggle with passing assignments like covering a TE, etc.
Overall, the Chiefs are far behind regarding talent, the Chiefs have a hell of a staff but limited talent. After Bowe and Flowers, what else is there?
The RaiderLaker
Am I crazy to think the Raiders could finish above .500 this year, now that they have a real QB?
Gaslamp Ball Game OT: "Makes you happy in the pants"
MLB Network: "Keep believing!"
Heat: "Uhh, no. We know."
Crazy? To think they COULD? Nah.
There are only about 1700 players in the league. If about 1650 bolts of lightning all came down in exactly the right place at exactly the right time, it would actually become quite probable.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 10, 2010 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
gotta love a fan
who cant even spell his own teams name right!
"i'm not inclined to resign to maturity"...PSYCH theme
by $#%@ eli and his daddy on Aug 11, 2010 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I can’t see the Bolts winning double digits w/ all they have lost. It’s more like wishful thinking for fans of a team that’s best days are behind them. It’s too much to ask rooks to fill & produce for proven vets.
K.C. & Denver wont win 8 games between them..
As RAIDER fan i’ve seen the improvements we’ve made, Best of all , the non-shooting-our-self-in-the-foot team actions. content w/ 8-8 , wouldn’t be suprise 11-5
"Think of the solution not the problem"
"Do you know who i think i'm not"
You think ( More like hope ) so.............
V.Jackson / M.Mc Neill / J.Williams are anchors your missing,do you think you can just plug-in rooks & still produce?
As for Ryan Matthews his highligh film looks good.
He’s fast but i’ve seen him run down from behind.
Not to mention he play against Hawaii / Idaho / Wyomming not exactly the elite of the college world…
So to say he’s the next (better) LT is a little premature, Only time will tell.
I’d say good luck but where gunning to knock the Bolts off the top of the hill this season, So……….
"Think of the solution not the problem"
"Do you know who i think i'm not"
So you're not so up on the Chargers?
Williams didn’t play last year. LT shouldn’t have, and his replacement (Mathews) will be an improvement if he only plays up to league average.
Jackson is good, but QBs make WRs, not the other way around. We have depth and a legit no. 1 in Floyd. Naanee can easily handle no. 2 in an offense where Gates is the best receiver.
McNeill is overrated, and the position isn’t as important as conventional wisdom would tell you. Nowhere near as important as having a unit that has experience working together.
Meanwhile the Raiders have a career backup-caliber QB protected by… what, exactly? Not a winning formula.
"Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?"
I think this will be the best Raiders season since 2002.
Not to say I think they will be GOOD. But they won’t be the laughingstock of the division anymore.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 10, 2010 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Predictions
Charger 9-7
Chiefs 7-9
Raiders 7-9
Broncos 5-11
Underestimating teams
So far, I see a lot of biased/underestimation, shown against one team. I think that believing the Broncos to be as horrible as 5-11 is asking for trouble. While I don’t think they will make the payoffs, I think they will have a better year than last year. Orton will have another year in this system, and even if Brandon Marshall isn’t there, I think he will do ok. I look for them to be a mainly run first team while they retool their passing game.
Oakland – I see improvement on the way, but I still see a lot of need for more improvement. Receivers, RB’s, O-Line, D-Line etc. Watch out for Jason Campbell. He has a strong arm, and if one of the receivers catches a stroke of luck, he could very well rain on any teams parade. He is also more agile than Russell, and twice as tough.
Chiefs – I am still not comepletely sold on this teams improvements just yet. Bowe needs to really show up and break out, the running game needs tweaking, pass defense needs work, rush defense needs work. There is more room for improvement here than there is for the Raiders.
Bolts – I think shooting yourself in the foot is your biggest enemy. Is Jacob Hester still on this team? V Jack is looking at a suspension due to his own stupidity, cutting LT might not have been a very beneficial move. I do believe they will hit the playoff scene again, but I think the race will be closer than last year due to improvements within your division.
Underestimate No One, Take Nothing For Granted
by SaintsFanInIraq on Aug 18, 2010 10:56 PM PDT reply actions
Just got my latest ESPN the Mag
They have the Chiefs winning the division at 9-7. They also predict the Chargers will be 9-7.
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