Sean Higgs AFC West Preview
League: NFL
By: Sean Higgs Published on: 08/22/2012
Mr. Manning has a new address. Can Phillip Rivers get SD over the hump. Does Carson Palmer have anything left? Are the Chiefs that bad or good? ~~ Higgs <p>
1a. DENVER BRONCOS - I know we haven't seen Peyton in actual NFL real-time in over a year. Who knows how his neck is going to hold up after a brutal blind-side shot? That being said. Denver did win a playoff game with a RB playing QB. The defense is tough and should be able to keep Denver in most games. <p>
1b. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS - Listen. This team starts slow and comes on late. Phillip Rivers needs to finally elevate this bunch for an entire season. Losing WR Vincent Jackson hurts, but they replaced him with the Saints' Robert Meachem and Roscoe Parrish who I like from the Bills. LeRon McClain had some shining moments before and can be a nice bruiser in front of RB Ryan Matthews. Not much of a fan of Norv Turner, but the team does respond for him when backed into a corner. <p>
2a. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Romeo Crennel will look to build on a some positives. Dwayne Bowe had a break-out season at WR. He has a healthy QB in Matt Cassell who is in dire need of huge season. The running game should be solid again with the addition of Peyton Hillis. Jamaal Charles should be back from his injury also. I think with some breaks the offense can be really special. <p>
2b. OAKLAND RAIDERS - Oh the Raiders. Another clean-slate as new HC Dennis Allen comes in with a slew of new coaches. The offense is talented with Palmer and McFadden, but the defense was terrible. We have see stranger things and to tell you the truth, it wouldn't surprise me to see any of these teams win this division.