Breaking down the AFC West

[NUB]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

After looking at my prediction, I'm going to revise it. I think the Chargers probably can poop out 7-9 maybe 8-8. I think the Chiefs finish 3-13. And the Raiders take second place in the division at 8-8. Allen has reduced their penalties and they aren't playing defense from 1960 anymore.

Broncos I will stick to 10-6. I figure we drop at least one game we should win but close out strong.

I'm in the same boat. On paper, the Chiefs are a fairly talented team. They're just so badly lacking in the two most important positions -- head coach and quarterback -- that it is infecting everything else. I've watched a number of their games lately and it's atrocious; like a portal to 1980s-style football. Dan Reeves' reincarnate with a gutless QB is a recipe for disaster. Charles is a very, very talented running-back, but he isn't a god. Teams are stacking that box like the Chiefs run game owes them money.

They might be one of the worst overall teams in NFL history right now.

[Br0nc0Buster]

Originally Posted by Raider9175

The raiders are walking away with the division and would have done so last year if they were healthy last season. With a healthy DMC and C Palmer their isn't a team in the AFc West stopping them. ( what has DMc averaged against the Broncos )

The Raiders without a doubt have the best offense in the division(should be a top five offense) . They have so many explosive weapons on offense. Three Rbs that can score from anywhere whether it a pass or run( DMC, M Goodson and taiwan jones) , the best Wr corp(not single wr but as group) D Moore, Jacoby Ford , DHB and Now Juron Criner blows away what anyone else has in the division. a Fb Marcel reece no one in divison can match. Eeven at Te ( this TE friendly offense) Ausberry 6'4 265 sub 4.5 and D gordon 6'4 265 4.63 are freak athletes. The Raiders at worst have the second best oline and case could be made that it might be the best.

holy ****

[uplink]

Looks like its a two horse race now for the AFC West, Denver and San Diego. If both teams win next week and then if the chargers beat Denver in two weeks, I believe San Diego would lead the division based on tie breakers for the best record against the AFC. Also they would have won 4 division games vs. only two by the broncos. So the chargers are still a threat.

[peacepipe]

Originally Posted by uplink

Looks like its a two horse race now for the AFC West, Denver and San Diego. If both teams win next week and then if the chargers beat Denver in two weeks, I believe San Diego would lead the division based on tie breakers for the best record against the AFC. Also they would have won 4 division games vs. only two by the broncos. So the chargers are still a threat.

that's a big IF ,considering how well the bucs are playing.

[boltaneer]

The race if already over. Losing the Denver game a few weeks ago buried this team. Seeya division title and seeya Norv.

[HILife]

Originally Posted by KCStud

Moeaki doesn't have a QB you stupid ****ing moron.
Jesus you are dumb as ****.

Btw-I see Charles will get past the 700 yard mark. But I thought he was gonna be teh suck because of his knee?

Where is Gaylore's comments about how Justin Houston sucks? Awesome!

1 - 7

[Kaylore]

Originally Posted by boltaneer

The race if already over. Losing the Denver game a few weeks ago buried this team. Seeya division title and seeya Norv.

You're only one game back, but I do prefer our final stretch to yours.

You still have to play at New York, at Pittsburgh and come here. You also get the Ravens, Bengals and Panthers at home. Honestly if you guys only won 2 or 3 of those, I wouldn't be totally shocked.

[Rock Chalk]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

The Kansas City Chiefs
Last season: 7-9

Veteran Additions: QB Brady Quinn, RB Peyton Hillis, TE Kevin Boss, OT Eric Winston, DE/DT Ropati Pitoitua, CB Stanford Routt, HC Romeo Crennel (promoted).

Offseason Losses: QB Kyle Orton, RB Jackie Battle, FB Le'Ron McClain, TE Leonard Pope, OT Barry Richardson, C Casey Wiegmann, DE Wallace Gilberry, NT Kelly Gregg, CB Brandon Carr, S Jon McGraw, HC Todd Haley.

Draft Picks:

Round 1: Dontari Poe DT Memphis
Round 2: Jeff Allen OT Illinois
Round 3: Donald Stephenson OT Oklahoma
Round 4: Devon Wylie WR Fresno St.
Round 5: DeQuan Menzie CB Alabama
Round 6: Cyrus Gray RB Texas A&M
Round 7: Jerom Long DT San Diego St
Round 7: Junior Hemingway WR Michigan

Schedule:
Sept. 9 Atlanta Falcons 1 p.m.
Sept. 16 at Buffalo Bills 1 p.m.
Sept. 23 at New Orleans Saints 1 p.m.
Sept. 30 San Diego Chargers 1 p.m.
Oct. 7 Baltimore Ravens 1 p.m.
Oct. 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 p.m.
Oct. 21 BYE
Oct. 28 Oakland Raiders 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 1 at San Diego Chargers (Thurs.) 8:20 p.m.
Nov. 12 at Pittsburgh Steelers (Mon.) 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 Cincinnati Bengals 1 p.m.
Nov. 25 Denver Broncos 1 p.m.
Dec. 2 Carolina Panthers 1 p.m.
Dec. 9 at Cleveland Browns 1 p.m.
Dec. 16 at Oakland Raiders 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 23 Indianapolis Colts 1 p.m.
Dec. 30 at Denver Broncos 4:15 p.m.

Analysis: The Chiefs started the season with some terrible luck with season ending injuries to their star running back Jamaal Charles, safety Eric Berry and their emerging tight end Tony Moeaki. Despite this, they still managed to 15th in rushing and 11th in total defense. With all three returning this season, it’s reasonable to assume they will continue improve on that this season. They have a solid special teams unit with the 8th best punt return average in the NFL and opponents had the fourth fewest kickoff return yards against them. I was a big fan of the way they threw a bunch of picks at offensive line. As an outsider, I would like to see the Chiefs go back to having arguably the best offensive line in the NFL the way they were in the early 2000. They also drafted Cyrus Gray, a big bruising back am sad to say I was a big fan of, and could be a perfect complement to Charles. Currently Bowe is holding out and it is looking likely he is willing to pull a Vincent Jackson and sit out the first ten games of the season. Steve Breston is a more than Solid number two but not a true number one and will not be able to fill that role. Jonathan Baldwin had a disappointing rookie year and hopes to improve going forward. It was pointed out to me that Baldwin was ranked 95th worst in drops last season. That doesn’t bode well for his transition.
The Chiefs were 24th in passing offense and were third in fewest passing touchdowns thrown last year. This of course is because of their biggest weakness, Matt Cassel. Cassel is woefully average, and while it could be worse, it will not be much better. Romeo Crenel took over and was able to get them a couple of late wins, but his career .350 winning percentage is essentially terrible.

Prediction 9-7: The Chiefs are the sexy pick to win the division. Technically, with the schedule the AFC West has this year, 9-7 could win it. I don’t believe they will, though. If the Chiefs get back to a ground game that is strong, they will be able to protect Cassel and lean on their defense. They have a team that could beat anyone if a few things go well. I correctly picked them to beat the Packers last year. This year I think losing Wiegman and getting two rookie tackles (wherever they play) means some transition on the offensive line. Unfortunately their schedule is absolutely brutal, and will require better QB play than they are capable of mustering. Against teams like the Saints, Ravens and Steelers, Cassel just does not have the ability to fire back if they get in a shoot-out. They also were tied for third fewest sacks in the NFL last year. Hali is basically a one man show, without any help it is less likely they get the stops they need to in critical situations. The deal-breaker for me is Crennel, who I consider another Wade Phillips in that they are both excellent coordinators and horrible head coaches. I expect their defense and running game to keep a lot of games close, but at the end of the season I think they’ll come up a bit short.

@ 9-7

****ing loser

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by KCStud

I think they were hidden far more than Bronco fans realize, simply because they ran the ball far more. I think Orlando Franklin is not a good pass blocking RT. Clady hasn't been the same since his injury and Walton is average at best. I like Kuper though. He's a great player.

And I really don't understand why people think Routt is the worst CB ever. He struggled with penalties and TD's covering #1 receivers. Carr covered #2 WR's. Of course he looked awesome. Big difference covering elite WR's to covering #2 guys. Now that Routt is back to covering #2 CB's (which he had great success in in 2010), I don't think it's going to be a monumental difference, especially with Berry playing right behind him.

I disagree with that Denver will win the division by 3 games. I think it will be closer. 1 or 2 games kinda close.
I think there's a good chance Denver could be 4-4 at the midpoint just because of the adjustments and tough schedule.
The first 8 teams are a combined 85-45 from last year and only one of those teams (Raiders) looks like they will take a big step back from last season.

The fact that a lot of Bronco fans are saying one player is the breaking point is silly. This is a team sport. Don't believe me? Look at how the Colts have fared in the playoffs in their history with Manning. You would think with him alone they'd have 3 or 4 SB's, but their team as a whole wasn't strong enough until 2006.

What say you about Routt now

[broncosteven]

Looking at kFc's schedule they could easily go 1-15 this year.

Romeo giving up the DC role is not going to help anything other than give him more time to "groom" the QB's!

[Rock Chalk]

Denver isnt losing again.

[baja]

Originally Posted by Rock Chalk

Denver isnt losing again.

So I guess you are 'not worried' for the rest of the season

[broncosteven]

Originally Posted by Rock Chalk

Denver isnt losing again.

The Balt game could be close and there is always a trap game to worry about but on on paper if we are healthy they should run the table.

[Sassy]

I thought the Bengals were a trap game for awhile...a little nervous on that one!

[broncocalijohn]

Originally Posted by Rock Chalk

Denver isnt losing again.

Denver will lose 2 more games. If so, they better be in the next two months.

[Crushaholic]

Originally Posted by Rock Chalk

@ 9-7

****ing loser

Mathematically, it's STILL possible. Of course, this is likely the last week that can be accurately stated...