by Bruce Bostwick

Created on: June 11, 2010

When assessing the AFC West for the upcoming NFL season, it is best to say that it feels like it is a division that is wide open. It has to be considered one of the weakest divisions in all of the NFL. The only ones that could challenge that feeling would be the NFC North and maybe the NFC South but that’s just a matter of perspective. Anyone can win the division but for the 2010-11 season; it would be shocking if they didn’t end up the way it is going to be projected with some teams. Then again, it is wide open as all ready stated so anything is possible.

Oakland Raiders
What more can be said about the Oakland Raiders other than they are just not that good. It is surprising that Cable is still with the Raiders since Al Davis likes to fire coaches after one season. The Raiders right now do not appear to be having answers in order to improve the team. It’s going to be a fight between them and the Chiefs to see who will finish last but Oakland may end up taking it. The division could be close but they are not good enough for a playoff spot let alone a divisional title, at least not yet.

Kansas City Chiefs
They might be improved a little bit. They have now Charlie Weis as the offensive coordinator and Romeo Crennel as the defensive coordinator. It will be interesting if going back to their old posts respectively can turn the team around. The Quarterback position is going to be a question still regarding whether it was a fluke or indeed for real that he could be good if given the opportunity. They might finish third but between them and the Raiders, it’s going to be a race to see who avoids last place.

Denver Broncos
After getting off to a hot start last year, they went on and did a 180 with the momentum going on the downward side. This is the team that had acquired Brady Quinn from the Cleveland Browns. It may not be likely he gets to be the starter but anything can happen. Quinn could be the starter but this is a team that will challenge for the divisional title but may not be overly successful in doing so. Expect a second place finish considering that the only teams’ worse are the Chiefs and Raiders.

San Diego Chargers
Until they are dethroned from the AFC West, it is hard to pick against a franchise that has been successful in winning the division in that respect. They have the talent to be able to get into the post-season but whether they have enough to go all the way is another story. This team is a late starter and tends to catch heat when it gets to its coldest. They took the division last year and it would be no shock if they did it again.

With it being a wide open division, anyone can take it by force. It’s just a matter of seeing who wants it the most and attempt to get to the Super Bowl.

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