NFL AFC West Division Preview

The final look at the 8 NFL divisions and what better way to bring it home than with the AFC West?

1. NFC East
2. NFC North
3. NFC South
4. NFC West
5. AFC East
6. AFC North
7. AFC South

Division Overview: This division has it all, new QB's, New Coaches teams getting younger and teams getting older. Last season the division was a combined 36/28 tying it for tops in the league. It figures to be another competitive year in the AFC West.


Denver Broncos

• 2005 Record: 13/3 (First Place)
• Click Here for Roster & Depth Chart
  
• Key Question: Denver was in the AFC title game last season, can they get back to the Super Bowl?
  
• Team Strength: The Denver secondary is a pretty good one anchored by Champ Bailey, the team always seems to find running backs, they have a strong offensive line and an interesting receiving core.
  
• Team Weakness: Jake Plummer had a good season last year, but you just never know with him.
  
• Outlook: I'd rather chop my hand off than write this, but Denver appears to be the class of the division. They have the fewest question marks going into the season.

Kansas City Chiefs

• 2005 Record: 10/6 (second place)
• Click Here for Roster & Depth Chart
  
• Key Question: Can the Chiefs win with an aging team? How big of a factor is Ty Law going to be in the secondary? Will the Defense improve with a defensive minded head coach?
  
• Team Strength: Larry Johnson is a stud running back in a division that is full of good backs.
  
• Team Weakness: I'm not positive but the Chiefs may be the oldest team in the NFL in terms of average age. Also, I'll take the secondary but you can have the rest of this defense.
  
• Outlook: I actually see the Chiefs slipping a bit. Oh, you have no idea how much I'd rather be saying that about Denver. But as long as LJ stays healthy they should be an effective offensive team.

Oakland Raiders

• 2005 Record: 4/12 (Forth Place)
• Click Here for Roster & Depth Chart
  
• Key Question: How will Art Shell fair in his return to coaching? Is Aaron Brooks really better than Kerry Collins? If the offense starts to struggle will we see an eruption of Mt. Olympus Moss? Will a young and fast defense carry this team? Will Jerry Porter make it through the whole year without more bitching? How will Robert Gallery fair at his left tackle position? Can Derrick Burgess repeat his success of last season?
  
• Team Strength: The Raiders have lots of speed on both sides of the football. Moss Porter and Curry are a pretty good 1, 2, 3 at Wide Receiver.
  
• Team Weakness: Questions abound on this team especially along the offensive line, and with the youth on the defense. Not a lot of experience on that side of the ball outside of Warren Sapp.
  
• Outlook: There are 2 reasons that I have so many key questions for the Raiders. The first is that as my favorite team I am naturally most familiar with them, but the second is that the team just has a lot of questions that need to be answered in a real live game. The fact is that the only thing that would surprise me out of this team is a first place finish. But I can see anywehre from second to last.

San Diego Chargers

• 2005 Record: 9/7 (Third Place)
• Click Here for Roster & Depth Chart
  
• Key Question: How will Phillip Rivers do as the replacement for Drew Brees?
  
• Team Strength: The Chargers have one of if not the best back in the NFL in Tomlinson and 1 of the best tight ends in Antonio Gates. They also have a pretty good defense.
  
• Team Weakness: Not a weakness necessarily, but the success of the Chargers is tied to Phillip Rivers and Rivers is unproven.
  
• Outlook: I think that this is a very good football team. They are even good enough that they can survive some of Rivers' mistakes and I think he will definitely make some.

Projected Finish:

1. Broncos
2. Chargers
3. Raiders
4. Chiefs

Finish I wish I could see:

1. Raiders
2. Chiefs
3. Chargers
4. Blood Suckers