NFL Preview 2006 - AFC West

2005 Standings – AFC WEST
Denver ------------- 13-3
Kansas City -------- 10-6
San Diego ---------- 9-7
Oakland ------------ 4-12


2006 Outlook:

Kansas City (12-4) – This could be one of the toughest divisions to predict, but I think the Kansas City Chiefs made enough upgrades to overtake the Broncos. Even though OT Willie Roaf retired, the Chiefs still have a darn good O-Line and possibly the best RB in the league, Larry Johnson. The rest of the offensive weapons are getting old, but they still have enough left to keep defenses honest. The defense is already good, but adding CB Ty Law to the secondary will make them better. If all goes well, the Chiefs are poised to make a run at the AFC Championship in 2006.

Denver (11-5) – The Broncos finished last season with an impressive 13-3 record and a good run in the playoffs before losing to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. The Broncos still have a good team and will once again make a run at a playoff berth, but this time it will have to be for a wild card and there are a lot of good teams fighting for those 2 spots. The addition of Javon Walker at WR is an upgrade over the team annoyance, Ashley Lelie. There’s still a question as to who will be the main RB in Denver, but then again, does it really matter? Whoever it is will probably rush for over 1000 yards anyway. The Broncos should be able to finish with 10 or 11 wins.

San Diego (8-8) – After winning the division 2 years ago, the Chargers came back with a disappointing 9-7 record in 2005, losing their last 2 games and missing the playoffs. Since then, the Chargers lost their starting QB to free agency and will now rely on the unproven Philip Rivers. Needless to say, San Diego should get used to seeing a lot of dump passes to TE Antonio Gates and RB LaDainian Tomlinson when they aren’t running the ball. Luckily they have Tomlinson who is one of the top 3 RB’s in the league. He will be getting a lot of work, but unfortunately, defenses will be all over him and Chargers fans are in for another disappointing season.

Oakland (4-12) – Ah yes…the team that everyone loves to hate…the Oakland Raiders. WR Randy Moss is 100% again and they dusted off Art Shell to be their coach. They also have a new QB, Aaron Brooks, who they picked up in free agency. Brooks, though, is a career underachiever, and isn’t really an upgrade over Kerry Collins from last year. Moss will have a good year, and RB LaMont Jordan is a great option out of the backfield, but they can’t carry the team. The defense has plenty of holes and will have trouble keeping opponents from outscoring their offense. The Raiders may get back to their glory days some year…but not this one. Owner Al Davis is old. Until he either retires or expires, the Raiders will lose. That’s the only way to break the curse.