- Or, as I like to refer to them the San Diego Super Chokers. This team has had some of the most talented teams in the league the last few years but seem to choke in the playoffs. The last two seasons it was Phillip Rivers' team and now it's official as LT has finally been let go of. The Chargers have actually played better without LT, and Ryan Mathews should give them a big power back they have needed in San Diego to go along with Sproles. Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill are holding out right now, but Jackson is out for the first four games due to suspension anyway. The defense is solid--even with the departure of Cromartie, Jammer and Cason are good on the corners and the pass rush should be as formidable as always with Merriman and Phillips. This team isn't quite as good as years past, but good enough in a bad AFC west.
2. Oakland Raiders
- What? No way. Yes way. The Raiders are the second best team in the west--which doesn't say a lot. Believe it or not, when JaMarcus Russell was not under center the Raiders weren't so terrible. Jason Campbell is quite the upgrade over the Russell/Gradkowski platoon so the offense should be better. Finally, we should be able to see what Darren McFadden can do with the ball in his hands, I expect a breakout year for him. Defensively you just say wow. From the line where there's Richard Seymour and John Henderson, the linebackers that feature Kamerion Wimbley and possible defensive rookie of the year Rolando McClain, and the always dynamic Nnamdi Asomugha at corner makes this a potential top 5-10 defense. The Raiders won't make the playoffs but the foundation has been laid for a team that should continue to improve.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
- Todd Haley's Chiefs did well considering the lack of talent in year one. This season should be another step forward, Thomas Jones joins the explosive Jamaal Charles in the backfield and Matt Cassel will get a taste of Brady's old offensive coordinator Charlie Weis (Weis left before Cassel arrived). Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers should be solid options and keep an eye on Jerehamy Urban who knows Haley's system from Arizona and rookie Dexter McCluster. The defense is pretty bad in KC. The drafting of Eric Berry (whos been compared to Ed Reed) should be an upgrade in the secondary, but the rest of the defense aside from Tamba Hali reads like a has-beens list: Mike Vrable, Demorrio Williams, Jon McGraw, Travis Daniels. Yeah, not scaring anybody, but at least they won't finish in the cellar.
4. Denver Broncos
- I am predicting the Broncos will finish in last place for the first time in 11 seasons. McDaniels has crippled the once young and talented roster that Mike Shanahan had assembled to "character guys". When was the last time being a nice guy won someone a football game? The only offensive weapon this team had (Brandon Marshall) is now gone and their best defensive weapon (Dumervil) will miss most of the season due to injury. Knowshon Moreno is a good back, but not one that is going to lead you to the playoffs, even behind what is one of the better O-lines in football. The defense withered down the stretch last season, no surprise with aging stars such as Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins. This could be the year they are just too old too tired, and the additions of oft-injured Jamal Williams at nose tackle and Justin Bannan won't improve one of the worst run defenses consistently over the last four years in the league. This is the year it all unravels for McDaniels and he may need to find a new job for himself this offseason.
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