The AFC West could end up being a tight 3 game race in the end. The Broncos are still the best team in the division, but they are coming back to the pack some as their team is aging a bit. The Chiefs have made some nice strides during the offseason, especially with the addition of Jeremy Maclin at WR. They will be a player in the division all year long. The Chargers have mediocre talent, but you can always count on a win or two more from this team just because of the coaching of McCoy. The Raiders are still a mess and are clearly the worst team in the division.
Some info taken from Pro Football Weekly and Athlon Sports
The Denver Broncos has a solid 12-4 season last year, but how many more years like that do they have left, as this is an aging team. Vegas is expecting a slight decline this year as the Broncos win total has been set at 10.5 (U -120). Betting odds have the Broncos listed at -250 to win the AFC West, +500 to win the AFC Title and +1300 to win the Super Bowl.
Last year the Bronco offense was 2nd in the league in scoring, at 30.1 ppg, while also ranking 4th in total yards (402.9 ypg), 4th in passing (291.3 ypg) and 15th in rushing (111.6 ypg). On offense the Broncos to a step back from their record setting 2014, but still they finished 2nd in the league in scoring and will again be led by Peyton Manning. One has to feel that this guy has just 1 maybe two years left, but still a 75% Peyton would be better than most starting QBs in the league. The passing game took a bit of a hit when Julius Thomas left via Free Agency and the Broncos tried to replace him by drafting Jeff Heuerman, but he tore his ACL in May and is lost for the season. They also lost Wes Welker and i don't feel that Emanuel Sanders, Demaryius Thomas and Cory Latimer really will make this offense go at top level. The running game is in fine hand with CJ Anderson and Montee Ball, but the OL needs to be addressed as they lost two key cogs in Manuel Ramirez and Orlando Franklin in the offseason. Overall I will call for another drop in production from this offense.
Defensively, the Broncos ranked 16th in points allowed (22.1 ppg), 3rd in yards allowed (305.2 ypg), 9th vs the pass (225.4 ypg) and 2nd vs the run (79.8 ypg). The Broncos improved on defense last year, especially vs the run and they should be a solid unit once again. The Broncos used their first pick in the draft to take DE Shane Ray, who should really help their pass rushing game. Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson, both return, plus 2013 first round draft pick, Sylvester Williams, should get starting time this year. It is an average DL, but they do play well together. The LB is also solid with the return of Von Miler, Demarcus Ware and Brando Marshall, who are all slid pass rushers, plus very good against the run as well. The secondary is led by Chris Harris, who may be the best cover corner in the league. Aqib Talib returns, but he struggled last year in pass coverage, while TJ Ward was good in helping to stop the run, but was also bad in pass defense and may have been the weak link on this team. This will again be a solid defense, but im not sure they will crack the top 10 this year.
The Denver Broncos are starting to decline some, but they are still a good ball club that is capable of winning the AFC West, but that is just because the whole division is down. It could take just 9 wins to win this division this year. Still this team must stay healthy, especially at the QB spot as they will be dead in the water should Peyton go down. The passing game overall should be down some as the Broncos have lost some key contributors at wideout and TE and they will be tough shoes to fill. Plus as we noticed last year the Broncos went to more of a ball control offense in an attempt to shorten games and protect Peyton so if they do that again it will have a bearing on their overall numbers. The defense was solid last year and that's about all they can hope from this time around. I do not feel that this s a team that con make a run at the Super Bowl as they are aging and don't have a ton of depth, but 10 wins and an AFC West Title is something that I do expect.
The Kansas City Chiefs had a solid first year under Head Coach Andy Ried as they went 11-5 on the year but last year they missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record. This the Chiefs have their win total set at 8.5 (O -130). Vegas odds have the Chiefs listed at +450, and +1800 to win the AFC Title and +4000 to win Superbowl 50.
Last year the Chiefs offense was ranked 16th in scoring, at 22.1 ppg, while also ranking 25th in total yards (318.8 ypg), 29th in passing (198.9 ypg) and 10th in rushing (119.9 ypg). The Chiefs offense was rather average last year, but they should be an improved group this year. Alex Smith was not great last year as the Chiefs finished 29th in passing, but he also didn't have a ton of talent to work with at the skill positions and Jamaal Charles did miss some time and also played hurt the rest of the time. Still he did finish with 1300 yards, while playing much on the year on one leg. He should get back to putting up monster numbers this year, especially since he will be healthier and running behind a very solid OL. The WR Corps has some good young talent, and now added to the mix is Jeremy Maclin, who was their biggest offeseason acquisition. He immediately upgrades the passing game, to go along with Albert Wilson and Jason Avant, plus 3rd round pick Chris Conely, who is very a very speedy and talented WR. This is some of the better weapons that Alex Smith has had in his career and I see a much improved Kanss City offense this year.
Defensively the Chiefs ranked 2nd in points allowed (17.6 ppg), 7th in yards allowed (330.5 ypg), 2nd vs the pass (203.2 ypg) and 28th vs the run (127.2 ypg). The Defense was very good for the Chiefs last year, but injuries did take their toll and they seemed to wear down down the stretch. Derrick Johnson was a huge loss for the team, especially vs the run, but he should be back at full strength this year to anchor a LB corp that also returns Tamba Hali and Justin Houston, plus has added Ramik Wilson and D.J. Alexander, who both may work their way into the starting lineup. The Front wall for this team will get a boost from the return Mike Devito, who was lost last year in week 1. Dontari Poe is the iron man of this defense and has led all interior linemen in snaps played the last 2 year. You can always expect 4 quarters of solid play from him. The Secondary was very good last year as they ranked 2nd vs the pass and they should be just as good this year, but they do have a couple of concerns early. 1 is the Health of Eric Berry, who may not be able to go at the start of the season and the other is how long will CB Sean Smith be out as he is expected to receive a multi-game suspension for a drunk driving charge in the offseason. The Chiefs did take a couple of CBs with their first two selections in the draft, which will help early on in the year and then will add depth as the season goes on. This is a good defense once again.
The Chiefs are a solid team this year, but the do have a concern at center, plus how well will their returning injured players play on defense. Overall the offense will be better as Alex Smith has a year under his belt in this system and he also has some very good weapons to work with in the passing game. Having a healthy Jamaal Charles is a huge plus as well. The Defense looks to be strong again and, especially the LB corps and the secondary, but the secondary could take some time to come around, especially if Smith and Berry are out for a prolonged amount of time. The DL is solid but not spectacular. The schedule is not great and they do draw the NFC North as well, which looks to be very tough this year. Still the Chiefs will be right there contending for a playoff berth this year and if the Broncos sputter at all I wouldn't be surprised to see this team overtake them. I say this team tops their posted win total of 8.5.
The San Diego Chargers went 9-7 for the 2nd year in a row last year, but they did miss the playoffs. Unlike 2013 when they made it to the 2nd round. Mike McCoy has a rather average team this year, but his coaching alone gives them a shot a the playoffs. Vegas has the Chargers win total set at 8.5 (U -125). Vegas odds have the chargers listed at +500 to win the AFC West, +2000 to win the AFC and +4500 to win Superbowl 50.
Last year the Chargers offense was ranked 17th in scoring, at 21.8 ppg, while also ranking 18th in total yards (341.6 ypg), 10th in passing (256.1 ypg) and 30th in rushing (85.4 ypg). The Chargers offense took a step back last year after having a very good 2013 and the biggest reason was the running game that was pathetic. Well they hope they have solved that problem when they drafted Melvin Gordon in the first round. Gordon had an amazing career at Wiscons and will look to carry that over the the NFL. Another reason for the poor running game was a poor OL line, so they brought in Orlando Franklin, who was the Broncos best lineman last year and they also added Joe Barkstale, who is a solid run blocker. This should be an improved OL and it should help Gordon, Woodhead and Oliver all have a good year running the ball. The Passing game is in the hands of Philip Rivers, who was among trade talk in the offense as the Chargers were possibly looking to trade up with Tennessee to get Mariota. That didn't happen and Philip is staying. He is a fiery QB that does give them their best chance to win now. The passing game did lose Eddie royal, but Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd, Antonio Gates and Newly acquired Steve Johnson give him very solid weapons to work with. This should again be an offense that is capable of being in the top 8 in the league, especially with an improved running game
Defensively the Chargers ranked 14th in points allowed (21.8 ppg), 9th in yards allowed (338.3 ypg), 4th vs the pass (215.2 ypg) and 26th vs the run (124.1 ypg). The defense for San Diego was very average last year, but still they were vastly improved over 2013. I look for another average year from this unit this year. The DL was a weak spot of this defense last year as they failed to get much pressure on the QB and they couldn't stop the run. They hope that DE Corey Liguet can continue to grow as a run defender as he did as the year went on last year. The Rest of the line is a bit below average, but could get better should NT Ryan Carrethers work his way into the starting lineup as he has the tools to be a solid run defender. The LB corps looks to be solid with Butler, Ingram and the fact that they used 3 of their 5 draft picks on this unit. It should be an improved group, but still by league standards they are slightly above average. The cornerstone of this defense is their secondary, which is led by possibly the best DB in the league in Eric Weddle. Brandon Flowers is very good in run support, while getting back Jason Verrett (2104 1st round pick) will be a plus. Overall this will be an average defense, but they could be much better should the front line improve.
The Chargers really do have 8-8 talent, but they also have Mike McCoy, who is usually worth an extra win or two for this team. Mike is an excellent coach and will get the most out of this average talent team. The Bolts should be improved on offense as they have a running game to compliment their passing game. Rivers has cut down on mistakes the last two year and it has made him a better QB. He has some nice weapons to work with and the OL line is improved, so I do look for better numbers from this unit this year. The defense is very strong in the secondary, but they do have issues up front and if they do get more pressure on the QB and figure out how to stop the run then this unit can be much improved. Those are big ifs though. This is an 8-8 team on paper, but just because of the presence of McCoy I will call for them to hit at least 9 wins, while challenging for a playoff spot in the process.
The Oakland Raiders have won just 11 games the last three years, including just 3 last year and the prospects of them turning it around this year are not all that great this year, even though their win total has been set at 5.5 (O -115). Vegas odds have the Raiders at +2000 to win the AFC West, +5500 to win the AFC Title and +10000 to win Superbowl 50.
Last year the Raiders offense was ranked 31st in scoring, at 15.8 ppg, while also ranking 32nd in total yards (282.2 ypg), 26th in passing (204.7 ypg) and 32nd in rushing (77.5 ypg). This has been one bad offense for a few years now, but they do have a shot at being much improved, especially with the addition of Bill Musgrave as the OC. Derek Carr is the starting QB and he does have the talent succeed at this level, but he needs some weapons to do that and the Raiders addressed this need by getting Amari Cooper with their 1st pick in the Draft. Amari is a true #1 receiver and will team with Michael Crabtree to give Carr the weapons he needs to make this offense go. The Raiders still need a running game to complement their passing game and it looks to be in the hands of Latavius Murray, who started the last 3 games last year. Behind him is Trent Richardson, who has not been good at all the last 2 years, but maybe a move to Oakland will help him. The OL did not have a good season last year and im not sure they are improved this year. They did pass block well, but were very poor in run blocking as the Raider were last in the league in rushing. This should be a vastly improved offense.
Defensively the Raiders ranked 32nd in points allowed (28.2 ppg), 21st in yards allowed (357.6 ypg), 16th vs the pass (238.1 ypg) and 22nd vs the run (119.4 ypg). The defense also had many issues last year, but they do have a new head coach in Jack Del Rio, who is a defensive minded coach, plus a new defensive coordinator in Ken Norton Jr. These guys will get this defense in shape, but first they need some quality players and this is lacking many on this side of the ball. The linebacking corps is led by Khalil Mack, who had a very good rookie year last year. Sio Moore, struggled last year, but was injured and should be at full strength this year. The Raiders also used their 4th, 5th and 6th picks in the draft to bolster their LB Corps. This is a deep unit and is the strength of this defense. The DL was no that good last year, but was upgrade some with 2nd round pick Mario Edwards and the addition of Dan Williams through free agency. They should at least be stingier vs the run this year. The secondary is aging and wasn't very good last year. Charles Woodson is the leader of this group, but his is 39 years old and may not have a whole lot left. Nate Allen was brought in at safety, but he is a below average player. The Raiders didn't really bring in any other help for this unit. Overall I do see improvement from this defense.
The Raiders have a long way to go before they get back to respectability, but they may have hired the right guy in Del Rio to get the job down. Still it will not be an overnight fix as they are at least 2 or 3 years away from contending for a play off spot. The offense should be improve as Carr has a year under his belt and the Raiders have given him some weapons to play with. The running game should be much better, but still they need help from a below average OL. The defense was really bad last year but they have added some very nice pieces the last couple of years and that should really start to pay off once Del Rio and Norton Jr put their stamp on this unit. The Raiders are improved on both sides of the ball, but they do have a rather tough schedule and are going through yet another coaching change for me to think they can put 6 wins on the board. I see them at 5 or less which keeps them below their posted win total.