Steve's NFL Preview: AFC West

Much like the extended daily division by division predictions we did for baseball back in March, Ryan and I decided to make predictions for the NFL. Since I'm starting my predictions a day early, Ryan also asked me to do an intro, so I imagine the schedule will look like this, assuming we skip Thursdays:
AFC West - Tuesday, 8/26
AFC North - Wednesday 8/27
AFC South - Friday 8/29
AFC East - Saturday 8/30
NFC West - Sunday 8/31
NFC North - Monday 9/1
NFC South - Tuesday 9/2
NFC East - Wednesday 9/3
Playoffs and Awards - Friday 9/5

Without further ado, here's the "easy" AFC West:
1. San Diego Chargers - Besides possibly New England in the East, this is probably the easiest division winner pick this season. Not because LT is done pouting, Gates is completely healthy, and Rivers stopped being an ass (none of these things have happened), but because their competition is pretty atrocious yet again. The question of course here is can they finally make it to the Super Bowl? I think how they do in Week 6 at home against New England can be a telling sign, since they apparently own the Colts already.

2. Denver Broncos - The Broncos are coming into this season again staring mediocrity in the face. They are most likely better than the rebuilding (is it ok to call it that?) Raiders and Chiefs, but they are again having to rely on a sub-par QB, a decent running game, and a mediocre to bad defense. The ray of hope this year for the Broncos is their schedule, who get to play the weak (outside of New England) AFC East and weak NFC South, and a favorable late season stretch run where they play all 4 of the 4-12 teams from last season in a row. Can they steal a wild card? We'll see.

3. Oakland Raiders - The Raiders seem to be heading slightly more in the right direction than the Chiefs, but not by much. Two years ago, the Raiders surprisingly dominant defense flew under the radar, but they were cursed with possibly the worst offense of all time. Last year, they showed signs of life with their running game but their defense was lacking. Their success this season will rely a lot on continuing their above average running game with Justin Fargas and explosive newcomer Darren McFadden (who apparently goes by "Run DMC"...yep he's a Raider), but they will also need to sure up their defense and get some sort of production out of JaMarcus Russell, who will be the starter this year. I think with some pieces falling into place, they can be last year's Vikings, but they could also easily be last year's Dolphins.

4. Kansas City Chiefs - Brodie Croyle, Crodie Broyle, whatever his name is this is going to be a loooong season in Kansas City. After starting the season last year 4-3, they dropped the last 9 in a row in a rebuilding year reality check. If Larry Johnson stays healthy this year he could possibly cover up for Brodie's bungles. Losing Jared Allen and drafting Glenn Dorsey is just another sign of a youth movement in place, and sooner than later, Tony Gonzalez will show himself the door too.