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San Diego Chargers Last Year's Results:12-4 (1st in AFC West)27.9 PPG scored (3rd in NFL)19.6 PPG allowed (11th in NFL) Head Coach: Marty Schottenheimer Superbowl odds 15/1AFC championship odds 7/1The Chargers engineered a worst-to-first turnaround in the AFC West last season, and a lot of the credit for that success goes to Philip Rivers. Rivers' early-season holdout forced the team to keep Drew Brees as their starting quarterback, and Brees had an exceptional season that carried the team into the playoffs. The question now is whether Rivers has a future in San Diego; if Brees performs this season like he did last year, Rivers could be sent packing to another city. Behind Brees, the Chargers' offense was dominant last season, and with the main contributors all returning to the fold the firestorm should continue. LaDainian Tomlinson solidified his reputation as one of the best backs in the league, and Antonio Gates stepped up as Brees' go-to guy. The Chargers had two first-round picks in the draft, and used both of them to upgrade their defense. Maryland OL Shawne Merriman is a bruiser who can also line up at defensive end, while Northwestern DL Luis Castillo is a powerful lineman with some baggage. Castillo admitted to using Andro, which is banned by the NFL. The Chargers won't sneak up on anyone this season, and they need their offense to click like it did last year if they hope to mirror or improve on their success. Marty Schottenheimer got more than anyone could have hoped for out of the team in his first year as head coach in San Diego; time will tell if that result was an indicator of things to come, or a fluke.
Oakland RaidersLast Year's Results:5-11 (4th in AFC West)20.0 PPG scored (18th in NFL)27.6 PPG allowed (31st in NFL) Head Coach: Norv Turner Superbowl odds 25/1AFC championship odds 10/1The silver and black continued their downward spiral last season, ending up in the AFC West basement. The Raiders were second-last in points allowed, while QB Kerry Collins tied for the league-lead in interceptions. Despite last year's dreadful showing, however, things are looking up in Raider nation after an offseason trade brought WR Randy Moss to the team. Moss is one of the best receivers in the league, and he changes the game just by being on the field. He'll join Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry to form a potent receiving corps that should help bring Kerry Collins' interception total down. In the backfield the Raiders have nowhere to go but up after rushing for a league-low 1295 yards last season. Tyrone Wheatley was handed his walking papers, so Amos Zereoue, Zack Crockett, and newcomer LaMont Warren will battle for rushing duties. The Raiders' defense was an embarrassment last season. The addition of Warren Sapp did nothing for the defensive line, as the Raiders finished second-last in the league in sacks. The secondary wasn't much better, with only nine interceptions all season and poor play at times from corner Charles Woodson. Woodson should have a new face lining up with him at corner this season, as the Raiders used their first two picks in this year's draft to select cornerbacks; Fabian Washington of Nebraska and Stanford Routt of Houston. Washington appears to have a leg up on the starter's job, as the Raiders traded up in the draft to grab the speedster. The Raiders should be improved from last year, but just how improved they are is the question. This team should be able to score in bunches with their talented tandem of receivers, but the lack of a running game and a questionable defense could keep them out of the playoff hunt.
Denver BroncosLast Year's Results:10-6 (2nd in AFC West)23.8 PPG scored (9th in NFL)19.0 PPG allowed (9th in NFL) Head Coach: Mike Shanahan Superbowl odds 25/1AFC championship odds 12/1Another offseason, another successful running back traded from the Broncos. A year after dealing away top rusher Clinton Portis, the Broncos parted ways with running back Reuben Droughns. The torch has now been passed to Quentin Griffin, who missed 10 games with injuries last season. A good year for Griffin (who is still recovering from knee surgery) and he too could get shipped out of town. The Broncos were busy in the offseason trying to find the right pieces to get back to the top of the AFC West. RB Ron Dayne was brought on board to back up Griffin, while future Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice (if he doesn't retire) will try to recapture some of his old brilliance alongside Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Jake Plummer returns as quarterback, after taking every snap during the regular season last year. The Broncos' defense will have a new look this year, as they pilfered the Cleveland Browns' defensive line. The oft-injured Courtney Brown (who is injured again) was brought in to replace sack leader Reggie Haywood, who left for Jacksonville. Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers were acquired in the Droughns trade, and along with Brown will share the line with Luther Ellis and Marco Colemen. The secondary could also have a few new faces after the Broncos used their first three picks in the draft to select cornerbacks. Champ Bailey is a given in one of the corner slots, but Oklahoma State's Darrent Williams, Washington State's Karl Paymah, and Maryland's Dominique Foxworth will battle in the preseason to see who will join him in the starting lineup. Denver's offseason maneuverings made them a much older team. If their age starts to catch up to them this season, the roster's lack of depth could pose a problem. An injury-free year, however, could see the Broncos again battling for a spot in the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs Last Year's Results:7-9 (3rd in AFC West)30.2 PPG scored (2nd in NFL)27.2 PPG allowed (29th in NFL) Head Coach: Dick Vermeil Superbowl odds17/1AFC championship odds 8/1A year after finishing 13-3, the Chiefs crashed to 7-9 last season. The high-powered offense was still there, but the defense never showed up for work. The Chiefs played eight games without RB Priest Holmes last year, but that didn't slow down an offense that was second in the league at 30.2 points-per-game scored. This year, the offense has all of its big guns returning, with Trent Green behind center and a healthy Holmes in the backfield. The receiving corps features TE Tony Gonzalez as the go-to guy ahead of Eddie Kennison, with newly-acquired Freddie Mitchell also in the mix for catches. The elusive Dante Hall didn't return a punt for a touchdown for the first time in three seasons last year, but he's still dangerous every time he touches the ball. No one in Kansas City is worried about the offense though; how far the Chiefs go this year will depend on their defense. The secondary should show a lot of improvement with the addition of FS Sammy Knight and CB Patrick Surtain. Kendrell Bell was signed to shore up the linebacking corps. The Chiefs also got some help from the draft. With their first-round pick they snagged LB Derrick Johnson from Texas, who is expected to compete for the starting outside linebacker job with last year's starter, Shawn Barber. Barber, however, is coming off knee surgery and his recovery time is in question. On paper the defense looks substantially better than last season, but the games are played on the field. With an overload of linebackers and secondary players who are used to starting there should be a few battles for jobs in training camp. Don't be surprised if the regular season starters aren't selected until Dick Vermeil gets a good look at his new-look defense in the preseason.
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Oakland RaidersLast Year's Results:5-11 (4th in AFC West)20.0 PPG scored (18th in NFL)27.6 PPG allowed (31st in NFL) Head Coach: Norv Turner Superbowl odds 25/1AFC championship odds 10/1The silver and black continued their downward spiral last season, ending up in the AFC West basement. The Raiders were second-last in points allowed, while QB Kerry Collins tied for the league-lead in interceptions. Despite last year's dreadful showing, however, things are looking up in Raider nation after an offseason trade brought WR Randy Moss to the team. Moss is one of the best receivers in the league, and he changes the game just by being on the field. He'll join Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry to form a potent receiving corps that should help bring Kerry Collins' interception total down. In the backfield the Raiders have nowhere to go but up after rushing for a league-low 1295 yards last season. Tyrone Wheatley was handed his walking papers, so Amos Zereoue, Zack Crockett, and newcomer LaMont Warren will battle for rushing duties. The Raiders' defense was an embarrassment last season. The addition of Warren Sapp did nothing for the defensive line, as the Raiders finished second-last in the league in sacks. The secondary wasn't much better, with only nine interceptions all season and poor play at times from corner Charles Woodson. Woodson should have a new face lining up with him at corner this season, as the Raiders used their first two picks in this year's draft to select cornerbacks; Fabian Washington of Nebraska and Stanford Routt of Houston. Washington appears to have a leg up on the starter's job, as the Raiders traded up in the draft to grab the speedster. The Raiders should be improved from last year, but just how improved they are is the question. This team should be able to score in bunches with their talented tandem of receivers, but the lack of a running game and a questionable defense could keep them out of the playoff hunt.
Denver BroncosLast Year's Results:10-6 (2nd in AFC West)23.8 PPG scored (9th in NFL)19.0 PPG allowed (9th in NFL) Head Coach: Mike Shanahan Superbowl odds 25/1AFC championship odds 12/1Another offseason, another successful running back traded from the Broncos. A year after dealing away top rusher Clinton Portis, the Broncos parted ways with running back Reuben Droughns. The torch has now been passed to Quentin Griffin, who missed 10 games with injuries last season. A good year for Griffin (who is still recovering from knee surgery) and he too could get shipped out of town. The Broncos were busy in the offseason trying to find the right pieces to get back to the top of the AFC West. RB Ron Dayne was brought on board to back up Griffin, while future Hall of Fame WR Jerry Rice (if he doesn't retire) will try to recapture some of his old brilliance alongside Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. Jake Plummer returns as quarterback, after taking every snap during the regular season last year. The Broncos' defense will have a new look this year, as they pilfered the Cleveland Browns' defensive line. The oft-injured Courtney Brown (who is injured again) was brought in to replace sack leader Reggie Haywood, who left for Jacksonville. Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers were acquired in the Droughns trade, and along with Brown will share the line with Luther Ellis and Marco Colemen. The secondary could also have a few new faces after the Broncos used their first three picks in the draft to select cornerbacks. Champ Bailey is a given in one of the corner slots, but Oklahoma State's Darrent Williams, Washington State's Karl Paymah, and Maryland's Dominique Foxworth will battle in the preseason to see who will join him in the starting lineup. Denver's offseason maneuverings made them a much older team. If their age starts to catch up to them this season, the roster's lack of depth could pose a problem. An injury-free year, however, could see the Broncos again battling for a spot in the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs Last Year's Results:7-9 (3rd in AFC West)30.2 PPG scored (2nd in NFL)27.2 PPG allowed (29th in NFL) Head Coach: Dick Vermeil Superbowl odds17/1AFC championship odds 8/1A year after finishing 13-3, the Chiefs crashed to 7-9 last season. The high-powered offense was still there, but the defense never showed up for work. The Chiefs played eight games without RB Priest Holmes last year, but that didn't slow down an offense that was second in the league at 30.2 points-per-game scored. This year, the offense has all of its big guns returning, with Trent Green behind center and a healthy Holmes in the backfield. The receiving corps features TE Tony Gonzalez as the go-to guy ahead of Eddie Kennison, with newly-acquired Freddie Mitchell also in the mix for catches. The elusive Dante Hall didn't return a punt for a touchdown for the first time in three seasons last year, but he's still dangerous every time he touches the ball. No one in Kansas City is worried about the offense though; how far the Chiefs go this year will depend on their defense. The secondary should show a lot of improvement with the addition of FS Sammy Knight and CB Patrick Surtain. Kendrell Bell was signed to shore up the linebacking corps. The Chiefs also got some help from the draft. With their first-round pick they snagged LB Derrick Johnson from Texas, who is expected to compete for the starting outside linebacker job with last year's starter, Shawn Barber. Barber, however, is coming off knee surgery and his recovery time is in question. On paper the defense looks substantially better than last season, but the games are played on the field. With an overload of linebackers and secondary players who are used to starting there should be a few battles for jobs in training camp. Don't be surprised if the regular season starters aren't selected until Dick Vermeil gets a good look at his new-look defense in the preseason.
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