2008 AFC West Predictions & Season Preview
Jimmy Boyd's
2008 AFC West predictions provide a quick rundown of
the division. For a more in depth look at each team, be sure
to click on the links below.
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1st –
San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are the most talented team in the
AFC through and through, but they haven't been
able to break through in the postseason.
Postseason injuries to L.T., Phillip Rivers, and
Antonio Gates may have cost San Diego a Super
Bowl berth last season. The Super Bowl is the
only thing that matters in 2008. The Chargers
have stars all over the field on both sides of
the ball and in special teams. The big fear is
that if the Chargers can't get the job done this
year, they could miss their window of
opportunity with L.T. entering his eighth
season.
2nd –
Denver Broncos
The Broncos had a 10-win team last year, but
they managed only seven wins. It was only the
second losing season in Mike Shanahan's 13 years
as head coach of the team. The offense was
especially poor in 2007 as tailback Travis Henry
went down with a major injury. He'll be back
healthy in 2008 and hopefully Denver's running
game will return with him. Bringing in receivers
Darrell Jackson and Keary Colbert will
strengthen the passing game some, but not enough
to compete with the Bolts. Losing clutch kicker
Jason Elam, their all-time leading scorer, in
free agency could prove costly. Still, Kansas
City and Oakland are so bad that Denver should
take second in the division.
3rd –
Oakland Raiders
After a 4-12 season under first year head coach
Lane Kiffin, the Silver and Black may challenge
the .500 mark. They'll likely come up just short
although improvement seems inevitable. The
Raiders will hand over the starting QB job to
2007 number one overall draft pick JaMarcus
Russell. While he'll take his fair share of
bumps and bruises along the way, the Raiders
have surrounded him with enough playmakers to
ease the process. They acquired wide receiver
Javon Walker in free agency and drafted the
talented Darren McFadden. A strong running game
which will involve, 1,000-yard rusher, Justin
Fargas should take some pressure off of Russell.
The Raiders will continue to be solid in pass
defense, but stopping the run figures to be a
problem again.
4th –
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs officially announced that they were
in the middle of a major rebuilding project by
trading NFL sack champion Jared Allen to load up
in the draft. Head coach Herman Edwards wanted
to grab at least six immediate starters through
the draft and he may have landed four in
defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, offensive tackle
Branden Albert, cornerback Brandon Flowers, and
safety DaJuan Morgan. One thing that the Chiefs
didn't do is address their QB situation which
means they are sticking with the duo of Brody
Croyle and Damon Huard for at least another
season. It didn't surprise me that the defensive
minded Edwards looked to rebuild the defense
first, but the Chiefs will not play winning
football again until they can land a capable
signal caller and improve their offensive line
play.
July 2nd, 2008