2007 NFL Predictions - AFC West

So let’s just hand the AFC West title to San Diego, given them a bye in the playoffs, and move them straight to the Super Bowl. Slow down big guy, the Denver Broncos will have something to say about who wins the division before it is all over. With all the potential head coaches available out there San Diego chose Norv Turner. I might be proven wrong before the seasons out and believe me I am not a Denver fan, in fact I am more of a Chargers fan then a Denver fan, ok back to my point; Norv Turner? Turner has had head coaching jobs and has failed miserable in my opinion. He then goes back to being an offensive coordinator and performs admirably and then finds himself a head coach again. Some coaches are great offensive or defensive coordinators but will never make a great head coach. I believe Norv Turner fits in that category. The Chargers did not lose in the playoffs last year because of Marty and if they win this year it won’t be because of Norv. Can you spell LT?

Standings Predictions:

Denver             11-5
San Diego        11-5
Kansas City      7-9
Oakland           5 -11

Denver Broncos

Fantasy football owners all over the country have been frustrated with Mike Shanahan’s revolving running back position for last 5 years. With the trading of Bell and the acquisition of Travis Henry we might see a little stability in the position. With the decision to go with Cutler at QB early last season the Broncos invested into this year and will see the dividends payoff. The erratic play of Jake Plummer is gone and replaced with a steady hand in Cutler. The Broncos improved immensely on the defensive side of the ball. We see a solid 10 win season for Denver and with any luck, solid play, and a few good bounces they can surpass the 10 wins with ease. Odds to the AFC Championship 10/1, Over/Under 9 ½ regular season wins, Odds to win the AFC West Division 7/5.

San Diego Chargers

I might be repeating myself and my end up eating my words in the end but I have to believe that Norv Turner was the worst possible hire in the NFL this year. Having said that, the Chargers enter the year as the team to beat in the west and the number two favorite to make it to the Super Bowl. Anytime you have the most dominate player in football on your team you will win games. LT was disappointed last year and you can believe he will try to will this team to the Super Bowl. One of the extra motivations in the playoffs can come true if the “experts” are right and San Diego winds up playing New England to move on we will have a big time revenge factor in that game. Rivers returns to lead one of the most talented offenses in the NFL and while I don’t like Norv Turner as a head coach I am sure he won’t hurt their offense. The line-backing and front seven will be solid and we will wait to see how the secondary molds this year. The Chargers open with two tough games as they host Chicago and then travel to New England to play their second game. Their next six games match them up with Green Bay, Kansas City, Denver, Oakland, Houston and Minnesota. They should easily get 4 wins in those 6 games, so if they can perform well and win in their first two games they have a schedule that will make them awfully difficult to catch. Odds to the AFC Championship 7/2, Over/Under 11 regular season wins, Odds to win the AFC West Division 2/3.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs can be a difficult team to handicap at this point of time. I have to say that with Trent Green gone they will be a better team overall, nothing against Green, but it may take some time for that to show. With the second best running back in the league in Larry Johnson and a solid back up in Bennett the Chiefs will not miss a beat in that area. The concerns again this year remain the passing offense and wide receiver core. For years we have listen to people complain that Donavan McNabb had nobody to throw to, KC’s best receiver has been their Tight End for years now. The defense should be slightly better then last season but the jury will remain out on that one until halfway through the season. Even with a difficult schedule and a lot of unknowns the Kansas City Chiefs can always win at home and usually do. Because of that we defiantly list them above the bottom of the league and they might even pull out an 8 – 8 season. Odds to the AFC Championship 30/1, Over/Under 7 ½ regular season wins, Odds to win the AFC West Division 10/1.

Oakland Raiders

The two things we can say about the Raiders this year are 1 – it can’t get worse then last year and 2 – they play defense. The Raiders might not have gotten a lot of positive press but their defense was solid and it will once again be a good defense this year. That leads us to the issue of the offense and what could have been the worst performing offensive line last season. The Raiders absolutely have to sign their #1 draft pick Russell and build a team around him. Until then I don’t see the Raiders going very far in this division. When Vegas puts your win total over/under at 5, things don’t look promising. Once again, the only bright side here is that it won’t be worse then last year. Odds to the AFC Championship 35/1, Over/Under 5 regular season wins, Odds to win the AFC West Division 10/1.