AFC West:
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Maybe boring to have the same winner come out of this division as last year, but they did all of that with some players simply touching the surface of what they can do. Matt Cassel has another year leading the charge at quarterback under his belt. Fresh off a spectacular season, the speedy and elusive back Jamaal Charles has a chance to create more magic with likely more touches. Dwayne Bowe actually has some talent lining up for wideout, with the signing of Steve Breaston and the drafting of Jonathan Baldwin. Tamba Hali, probably the best standing DE after DeMarcus Ware and Clay Matthews, sheds blockers and speeds through to the quarterback better than most. Although Eric Berry struggled at the beginning of his rookie year, his play picked up, and he may start drawing comparisons to the top safeties in the league, especially alongside strong cover-corner Brandon Flowers. This Chiefs team certainly doesn’t blow you away. But I like them better than the other teams in the worst division in the AFC.
2. San Diego Chargers
It might be the end of the line for head coach Norv Turner if the Bolts don’t see the playoffs for the second season in a row. Philip Rivers is a top tier talent at quarterback, and his long ball connection to Vincent Jackson may be one of the most flawless plays in football. Antonio Gates remains the most athletically gifted tight end in the league. But Ryan Mathews may prove to be a disappointment at running back, struggling to find holes in his line, and Mike Tolbert can never be a number one option back because of his limitations in the open field at his size. Malcolm Floyd is fortunately back, but he’s not a top-notch threat. The defense is going to struggle stopping offenses, and they lack a marquee show-stopped on this side of the ball. Eric Weddle is a very good safety, but he’s not in the class of Polamalu, Reed, Berry, and Adrian Wilson. Could be another up-and-down season for the usual AFC West favorites.
3. Denver Broncos
I understand the quarterback situation is messy, but I think Orton will get the job and hold onto it this season. First of all, it’s obvious to the Broncos he’s a better quarterback than Tim Tebow. It’s also obvious to Kyle Orton, anyone who’s following football right now, Tim Tebow, and my grandmother. Kyle Orton gets the job done, and while he’s nowhere near the top tier of quarterbacks with Brady, Manning, Brees, Rivers, Vick and Big Ben, he’s certainly better than many others who have starting jobs in the league (I’m talking to you, Tarvaris Jackson). Add that to an improving Knowshon Moreno, the veteran Willis McGahee, and last year’s leading receiver Brandon Lloyd, they may not dominate, but they will compete. 2009 All-Pro standing DE Elvis Dumervil is back from his season-ending injury last season, and he’ll improve a defense that got absolutely torched last season. But let’s be honest, they have better prospects than this next team…
4. Oakland Raiders
They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. They lost their best player and Jason Campbell is there quarterback. Need I say more?
AFC Playoffs:
Wild Card:
(3) Houston def. (6) NY Jets
(5) Pittsburgh def. (4) Kansas City
Divisional:
(1) New England def. (5) Pittsburgh
(3) Houston def. (2) Baltimore
AFC Championship:
(1) New England def. (3) Houston
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