AFC West

AFC West

by: Michael Mosco
Ah… The tease that is the AFC West! Such intrigue, yet such disappointment! The west consists of the two *cough*powerhouses of the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders, the enigma that is the Denver Broncos, and the good but not great San Diego Chargers. Let’s take it team by team shall we?

San Diego Chargers (last year= 13-3, Division Winner, Lost AFC Divisional Playoff)

The recently perennial division winner had a pretty good season last year at 13-3. This team can consistently rack up the yards and the points, especially through the air with Phillip Rivers, Vincent Jackson, and Antonio Gates doing all the work. The ground game last year was not as good as it was supposed to be with half injured LaDainian Tomlinson at the helm rushing only for 730yds (884 total yds, 12 TDs) and little Darren Sproles and Michael Bennett unable to pick up the slack. Sproles on the other hand is more valuable on kick/punt returns where he can really turn on his speed and elusiveness. Defensively the Chargers were efficient enough to get the job done. They were smack dab in the middle of the pack in average yards per game with 327.0. Basically they were pretty average on defense. This year may not be any better. They did not upgrade in the offseason. First they lose Tomlinson and Antonio Cromartie to the Jets (the team that beat them in the playoffs last year). They did draft running back Ryan Matthews in the first round of the draft and one can only suspect that he’s going to be thrust right into the middle of the offense with Tomlinson out and Sproles not a huge threat at RB. Cromartie is a huge loss as a shut down corner as well. He going to be hard to replace putting more pressure on the front 7 and also giving the Jets the best cornerback tandem I’ve ever seen. All this being said, the Chargers will still score points; especially with Rivers constantly throwing for 4,000+ yds and 25+ TDs a season. Will they be as good as last year? No, but they aren’t a team to take lightly, not even a little bit.

Prediction= 11-5 division winner. Will lose in the playoffs

Fantasy= Always pick Rivers and Gates if they are available for your #1 QB and TE respectively, Jackson had a great stat year last year and is definitely worth a #1 WR pick (keep in mind Jackson is suspended for 3 games). Risky picks would be Matthews at RB and their DEF.









Denver Broncos (last year 8-8, missed playoffs)



The Broncos in 2009 were the crazy story of the year starting out with problems between Josh McDaniels and Brandon Marshall, then they resolved it, then they open the season 6-0 only to go 2-8 the rest of the way. Their success was the main result of the 7th ranked defense lead by previously unknown Elvis Dumervil and his 17.0 sacks and the Pro Bowlers Brain Dawkins and Champ Bailey. Their offense was very surprising with Kyle Orton breaking out of Chicago and figuring that 2009 will be the year that he’ll be a legit quarterback and the pleasant surprise in rookie Knowshon Moreno, who was sorely needed after a horrendous 2008 for Denver RBs, rushing for nearly 1,000 yds and 7 TDs. Brandon Marshall was, once again, a large part of their offense. This year one would suspect a similar result from the Broncos. They lost their playmaker in Brandon Marshall but they sured up their rushing attack acquiring LenDale White. They drafted Demaryius Thomas for a WR replacement for Marshall. The person to look for in 2010, however, is of course Tim Tebow. I’m almost positive that he will be used in the offense this year and the Broncos would be stupid not to. With the breakout of the Wildcat offense in recent years do not be surprised to see the Broncos use it and Tebow be a big part of it, especially at the goal line. Could Tebow eventually be a starter? It’s tough to say. Orton will definitely start the season based on his 2009. Tebow and Brady Quinn look to battle for the backup position. Honestly I feel that Quinn will get the initial nod as backup but a successful Tebow in key situations will easily bump the generally disappointing Quinn. 2009 Broncos were interesting to hear about. 2010 Broncos will not disappoint either.



Prediction= 8-8 miss playoffs

Fantasy= Knowshon Moreno is a legit pick now. Orton could be a solid 2nd or backup QB but only if you’re in a league where QBs are running thin. WRs are 3rd/4th string at best with Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal the main 2 receivers. If Demaryius Thomas makes a name for himself it could be a good mid-season pick-up (especially if Lloyd or Royal gets injured). DEF is a good pickup, better than SD in my opinion.



Oakland Raiders (last year= 5-11 missed playoffs)



As much as the Raiders are ridiculed and beat up on, this team is certainly going in the right direction. In fact I’m putting myself out there and saying I would not be surprised to see this team in the playoffs in 2010. Last year their offense was laughable giving JaMarcus Russell yet another shot to prove he’s not a lazy fatty and an actual NFL starter, Darren McFadden trying to stay healthy, and a slew of rookie receivers. Their defense was ranked 26th but I blame that on the offense ability to not gain yards, score points and hold onto the ball. I think the Raider defense is generally very underrated with Nnamdi Asomugha shutting down corners, hard hitting safety Michael Huff developing into a quality starter, Richard Seymour as a veteran leadership on the D-line, and rookie Rolando McClain who I think will be a Pro Bowl LB if not this year then next year. The more talent they have the more the talent around them will be enhanced. Offensively in 2010 they shed some fat (pun very much intended) and cut Russell and acquired a seasoned QB Jason Campbell. McFadden, Michael Bush, and Michael Bennett are good enough, when healthy, to present a rushing attack worth talking about. Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy will give Campbell targets to throw to and Johnnie Lee Higgins is a threat at 3rd WR and kick/punt returns. Please don’t forget about Zach Miller either who was a top tier TE even when useless Russell was throwing to him. This offense will be able to hold onto the ball longer than the 2009 offense giving the defense much needed rest during games. If these two parts of the team find out how to meet in the middle, which I think they will, the 2010 Raiders will put up a +.500 season.



Prediction= 9-7 miss playoffs (I’d say eliminated in the 16th or 17th week, close but no cigar)

Fantasy= Zach Miller was great last year and will be again this year for your #1 TE spot. He is easily overlooked too. Campbell’s ability is comparable to Kyle Orton’s and Darren McFadden is a risk for underproduction due to injuries. The WRs should be a more legit pick in 2010 than in 2009 due the major upgrade in QB so you may get some nice points in your 3 or 4 WR spot. Their DEF may be a good late pickup based on how their season is going (of course)



Kansas City Chiefs (last year= 4-12 missed playoffs (duh))



Not much good came out of the Kansas City 2009 season. Offense was awful, defense was just as bad. The bright spot was Jamaal Charles who pretty much squashed any hope of Larry Johnson becoming a starter again and ultimately made him expendable. He rushed for 1,000+ yds (broke out a few sick runs too) and scored 7 times. In his first year as a first string QB, Matt Cassel was not impressive but, then again, he’s playing for the Chiefs. Dwayne Bowe had a down year and also was injured. Chris Chambers is no longer a viable WR option. Brandon Flowers had 5 picks but I’ll really have to dig deep to find the next impressive part of the defense (8.5 sacks by LB Tamba Hali??). A decent draft brought in Eric Berry the best safety on the board, Dexter McCluster (RB? WR? Both?), and Javier Arenas at CB. You can put money on at least 2 of these draft picks to be starting before the season is half over. The Chiefs also sured up their running game getting Thomas Jones after he was cut from the Jets. Jones may be on the decline based on what history tells you but stat-wise he finished last year with numbers to make a 25 year-old running back jealous. I don’t see him putting up the same numbers as last year, but him coupled with Charles can be a major focus for opposing teams. McCluster will probably not be used too much at RB so look for him at WR alongside Bowe and perhaps as a returner too. The Chiefs are not going anywhere this year but I guess they improved somewhat. Still got to fix a porous OL and an under-talented defense. Maybe next year.



Prediction= 5-11 no playoffs

Fantasy= Bowe is a pretty good 2 WR. Thomas Jones will probably be the #1 RB so he’s a good pick (keep an eye on him though, KC does not have the NY Jets OL). Cassel is just as good as an Orton or Campbell but he does have a better WR threat in Bowe. Stay away from their DEF.