Denver Broncos
The Broncos played the Chicago Bears last Thursday and trounced them thoroughly. Peyton Manning made his debut for the team, but the Bears didn't even bother to play Jay Cutler even in front of their home fans. Manning looked good to start, but missed a TD pass and then threw a pick on a tipped ball. Caleb Hanie got most of the snaps as the backup QB, which bodes well for the division if Manning doesn't stay healthy. San Diego State Aztec star RB Ronnie Hillman has been nursing a sore hamstring and didn't play.
One of the big stories in the offseason that was covered up by the Peyton Manning signing is that standout LB D.J. Williams will have to serve a 6 game suspension to start the season. Probably not a huge deal, but also non–trivial. He had 5 sacks and 70 tackles in 13 games last year.
Breaking (literally): Broncos RG Chris Kuper expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a broken forearm. No Broncos OL missed a regular season start last year. That streak will end.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs took care of the Arizona Cardinals on Friday. Matt Cassel made his return after a last year's season–ending hand injury. He was efficient going 5–for–6 with 68 yards and a TD pass. Jamaal Charles was also back and had 3 carries and 1 touchdown in his return from a torn ACL. Eric Berry also took the field as he too returned from an ACL tear that happened early last season.
The Chiefs are getting healthy and are a team to be reckoned with in the AFC West. The big offseason story that still lingers is the holdout of WR Dwayne Bowe. The team put the franchise tag on him, but he wants a long–term contract. There were recent rumors that a deal was reached, but those turned out to be false.
Oakland Raiders
The Silver and Black took on the Cowboys in a snore fest on Monday night. Getting shut out 3-0 doesn't exactly scream "Commitment To Excellence". The Raiders were playing things pretty close to the vest with Carson Palmer not out there for long, Darren McFadden didn't get many touches, Darrius Heyward-Bey only got one catch and Denarius Moore was rested with a sore hamstring.
The Raiders haven't had any major offseason stories, but their more–recent concerns are a couple of injuries. McFadden's backup (which can be a pretty key position) Mike Goodson had to be hospitalized with a neck injury, but has returned to camp. LB Aaron Curry has a knee injury.