The Shark's Divisional Review (7)
Days are ticking by fast now...so we continue on to....the AFC West
AFC WEST DIVISION - Teams : San Diego Chargers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders
Last Season :
1. San Diego Chargers 11-5 - Lost in Conference Championship game to NE.
2. Denver Broncos 7-9 - DNQ
3. Kansas City Chiefs 4-12 - DNQ
4. Oakland Raiders 4-12 - DNQ
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
The Bolts are the standout team of this division - that hasnt always been the case, but at the moment have the other three teams in their wake. This is primarily down to them have THE best RB in the NFL in LaDanian Tomlinson. The guy has been a TD machine and churns out the yards season in season out. For how much longer we dont know, but LT is still to be feared and at times is just unplayable. The passing game is okay but not great - QB Phillip Rivers can be inconsistent but has now got a decent passing corps to throw to - most notably Chris Chambers at WR and Antonio Gates at TE. A big part of the Bolts success though comes from their excellent defense...measly against the run and the secondary is explosive - CB Antonio Cromartie always a threay when the ball is thrown in his direction and he returned many a INT for a TD last season - he even returned a missed Field Goal for a 119 yard TD...a record that can only ever be matched...never broken. Expect another good showing from the Chargers this season...how far it will carry them is questionable, but if they all stay healthy, this is a dangerous team
Offensive Rating : 9.5/10
Defensive Rating : 9/10
My Prediction - Playoff football a certainty again for SD by winning their division.
DENVER BRONCOS
Denver threaten much but have found it hard to deliver in recent seasons, but remain a very awkward opponent at times. They are a solid if unspectacular unit, with a habit of finding excellent young RB's that are the basis of their offence. They had one this year in Ryan Torain, but have lost him already to injury - this means that the running game will centre around Selvin Young...good but not great. QB Jay Cutler blows very hot and cold, with only really Brandon Marshall as a go-to WR - and he is suspended for a few games. Denver's defence is average...you cant see much happening for experienced HC Mike Shanahan as it stands at the moment.
Offensive Rating : 6.5/10
Defensive Rating : 6/10
My Prediction : Nothing doing for the Broncos this year...in pretty much any way.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Chiefs lost stud RB Larry Johnson to injury last season and boy did it show. Problems at QB, no real depth at RB, only Dwayne Bowe showed any real zip at WR, though Tony Gonzalez remains a good option at TE. The good news for the Chiefs is that Johnson appears to be back and fit - but whether he can turn a 4-12 team into a playoff challenging team is highly unlikely. The Chiefs seem to be a team regressing and entering transition - a 24-0 loss to the Dolphins preseason speaks volumes. Many people will be looking for the Cheifs game on the weekend slips and backing whichever team opposes them...it could be a successful ploy.
Offensive Rating : 6/10 - About 3 of those points for LJ alone!
Defensive Rating : 5/10
My Prediction : The Chiefs will need more Indians before they make any impact in their division.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
For a few years now the Silver n Black have had it pretty rough....but the signs are that they could be coming out of transition and starting to get back to competative ways. Rookie QB JaMarcus Russell shows signs of excellence, and they have picked up stud rookie RB sensation Darren McFadden to bolster an already decent RB committee. They have acquired Javon Walker at WR, who if he gets his head sorted out is a very good player and he and Ronald Curry will need to stay active to give Russell any chance of turning the Raiders around. The Defense is not so bad...but needs the offense to stay on the field and put some points on the board to keep them honest. They wont be good enough to get close to the Chargers yet, but could get closer to .500, which will be a decent bit of progress for one of the leagues worst sides over recent years.
Offensive Rating : 5/10 - but could be a 7 or 8 if these rookies click and quick.
Defensive Rating : 5.5/10
My Prediction : Could slide past the Chiefs into 3rd place in the division and take a step forward from the horrors of previous seasons.
AFC WEST OVERALL
LT and the Chargers have this pretty weak division at their mercy and should stroll it by 3 or 4 games. Denver will have their moments, while the Raiders should improve, but the Chiefs could well be this seasons Miami if they are not careful.
1. Chargers
2. Broncos
3. Raiders
4. Chiefs
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