AFC West Preview
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Prediction: 14-2 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The good news: the Chargers have won 46 games over the past 4 seasons and only 2 teams have won more. The bad news: both of those teams (New England and Indianapolis) are also in the AFC. Most would say that the best team in the NFL is one of those 3 teams. The Chargers are head and shoulders above the rest of this division, but their goal isn't to simply win the AFC West again. In order to win the Super Bowl, they will need to stay healthy. Shawne Merriman is playing with ligament tears in his knee. One blow could end his season. LT has been durable in the regular season (missed 1 - a meaningless week 17 - game in his career), but much was made of LT being on the sidelines last post-season. Philip Rivers showed his toughness, but he needs to continue progressing. Antonio Gates has been battling injuries last year and early this season. If (a big if) they all stay healthy, I think the Chargers are the most balanced team in the AFC. The question is will they?
Interesting Stat/Fact: 2 - # of torn ligaments in Shawne Merriman's knee. Merriman opted to play with the injuries against doctor's wishes.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 108-148 (.422)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (4): vs New England, at Pittsburgh, vs Indianapolis, at Tampa Bay
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 34 wins (11.3 per season)
DENVER BRONCOS
Prediction: 9-7 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: Last year, the Denver Broncos had their only losing season of the decade. As usual, the Broncos were still a solid offensive rushing team. However, the problem lies in the transformation seen in their ability (or lack thereof) to stop the run. From 2001 to 2005, the Broncos finished as high as 2nd against the run but no worse than 7th in that span. However, they finished 12th and 30th in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Provided the Broncos can turn around their run defense, they should bounce back in 2008. I expect a huge year from Jay Cutler, now that he's begun treating his diabetes. He found out in the off-season that was why he lost weight and strength during the regular season. The Broncos will contend for a wildcard spot in 2008 but there is still a considerable gap between the Broncos and the Chargers.
Interesting Stat/Fact: Selvin Young's goal for 2007 is 2,000 rushing yards.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 114-142 (.445)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (5): vs San Diego, vs Tampa Bay, vs Jacksonville, at New England, at San Diego
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 29 wins (9.7 per season)
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Prediction: 6-10 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: Poor Lane Kiffin. He's done a good job as head coach of the disfunctional Raiders. Al Davis hasn't made it easy for him though. Davis has overpaid players like Tommy Kelly, Javon Walker and Gibril Wilson. In 2007, the Raiders were 1 of 6 teams to average at least 130 rushing yards/game. Aside from Minnesota, the other 4 teams all made the playoffs. To make the running attack stronger, the Raiders drafted the explosive Darren McFadden. He provides Lane Kiffin with plenty of versatility. The Raiders also added Deangelo Hall at CB and arguably have the best tandem of CBs in the NFL with Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha. However, will the Raiders be able to stop the run on defense and throw the ball on offense? They were 2nd to last in both last year. I expect a couple more wins for the Raiders in 2008, but there are a lot of changes necessary for this to become a playoff-caliber team.
Interesting Stat/Fact: After 3 consecutive 10-win seasons (2000-2002), the Raiders haven't won more than 5 games in any season (2003-2007).
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 112-144 (.438)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (4): vs San Diego, at San Diego, vs New England, at Tampa Bay
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 10 wins (3.3 per season)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Prediction: 4-12 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The good news: the Chiefs arguably had the best draft of any team in 2007. The bad news: they are very young and are sure to finish last in the AFC West. They also traded their best player (Jared Allen) to the Minnesota Vikings. Will they be able to get back to Chiefs football and re-establish a running game? Last year, they finished last in the NFL in rushing yards/game. That is surprising considering the Broncos and Raiders were 2 of the 4 worst defenses against the run in 2007 and they play them twice each year. But the Chiefs also have a bad rushing defense: 5th-worst last year. Dwayne Bowe had a great rookie season and should have another solid season. Although getting older, Tony Gonzalez is still one of the elite TEs in the league. But the Chiefs are still have a long road ahead of them.
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Chiefs offense, long known for their rushing attack, finished last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (78.0) in 2007.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 116-140 (.453)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (5): at New England, vs Tennessee, vs Tampa Bay, at San Diego, vs San Diego
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 23 wins (7.7 per season)
Prediction: 14-2 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The good news: the Chargers have won 46 games over the past 4 seasons and only 2 teams have won more. The bad news: both of those teams (New England and Indianapolis) are also in the AFC. Most would say that the best team in the NFL is one of those 3 teams. The Chargers are head and shoulders above the rest of this division, but their goal isn't to simply win the AFC West again. In order to win the Super Bowl, they will need to stay healthy. Shawne Merriman is playing with ligament tears in his knee. One blow could end his season. LT has been durable in the regular season (missed 1 - a meaningless week 17 - game in his career), but much was made of LT being on the sidelines last post-season. Philip Rivers showed his toughness, but he needs to continue progressing. Antonio Gates has been battling injuries last year and early this season. If (a big if) they all stay healthy, I think the Chargers are the most balanced team in the AFC. The question is will they?
Interesting Stat/Fact: 2 - # of torn ligaments in Shawne Merriman's knee. Merriman opted to play with the injuries against doctor's wishes.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 108-148 (.422)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (4): vs New England, at Pittsburgh, vs Indianapolis, at Tampa Bay
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 34 wins (11.3 per season)
DENVER BRONCOS
Prediction: 9-7 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: Last year, the Denver Broncos had their only losing season of the decade. As usual, the Broncos were still a solid offensive rushing team. However, the problem lies in the transformation seen in their ability (or lack thereof) to stop the run. From 2001 to 2005, the Broncos finished as high as 2nd against the run but no worse than 7th in that span. However, they finished 12th and 30th in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Provided the Broncos can turn around their run defense, they should bounce back in 2008. I expect a huge year from Jay Cutler, now that he's begun treating his diabetes. He found out in the off-season that was why he lost weight and strength during the regular season. The Broncos will contend for a wildcard spot in 2008 but there is still a considerable gap between the Broncos and the Chargers.
Interesting Stat/Fact: Selvin Young's goal for 2007 is 2,000 rushing yards.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 114-142 (.445)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (5): vs San Diego, vs Tampa Bay, vs Jacksonville, at New England, at San Diego
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 29 wins (9.7 per season)
OAKLAND RAIDERS
Prediction: 6-10 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: Poor Lane Kiffin. He's done a good job as head coach of the disfunctional Raiders. Al Davis hasn't made it easy for him though. Davis has overpaid players like Tommy Kelly, Javon Walker and Gibril Wilson. In 2007, the Raiders were 1 of 6 teams to average at least 130 rushing yards/game. Aside from Minnesota, the other 4 teams all made the playoffs. To make the running attack stronger, the Raiders drafted the explosive Darren McFadden. He provides Lane Kiffin with plenty of versatility. The Raiders also added Deangelo Hall at CB and arguably have the best tandem of CBs in the NFL with Hall and Nnamdi Asomugha. However, will the Raiders be able to stop the run on defense and throw the ball on offense? They were 2nd to last in both last year. I expect a couple more wins for the Raiders in 2008, but there are a lot of changes necessary for this to become a playoff-caliber team.
Interesting Stat/Fact: After 3 consecutive 10-win seasons (2000-2002), the Raiders haven't won more than 5 games in any season (2003-2007).
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 112-144 (.438)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (4): vs San Diego, at San Diego, vs New England, at Tampa Bay
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 10 wins (3.3 per season)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Prediction: 4-12 | Team Home | Team Forum | Team Schedule
Overview: The good news: the Chiefs arguably had the best draft of any team in 2007. The bad news: they are very young and are sure to finish last in the AFC West. They also traded their best player (Jared Allen) to the Minnesota Vikings. Will they be able to get back to Chiefs football and re-establish a running game? Last year, they finished last in the NFL in rushing yards/game. That is surprising considering the Broncos and Raiders were 2 of the 4 worst defenses against the run in 2007 and they play them twice each year. But the Chiefs also have a bad rushing defense: 5th-worst last year. Dwayne Bowe had a great rookie season and should have another solid season. Although getting older, Tony Gonzalez is still one of the elite TEs in the league. But the Chiefs are still have a long road ahead of them.
Interesting Stat/Fact: The Chiefs offense, long known for their rushing attack, finished last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (78.0) in 2007.
Strength of Schedule: 2007 opponents were 116-140 (.453)
2007 Playoff Teams on Schedule (5): at New England, vs Tennessee, vs Tampa Bay, at San Diego, vs San Diego
# of Wins Past 3 Years: 23 wins (7.7 per season)
