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5280
07-25-2004, 02:49 PM
I tried to wait for Anthony's division breakdown. I couldn't hold out any longer. So here is my AFC west predictions.

Broncos (of course) 11 - 5

Raiders 9 - 7

Chiefs 8 - 8

Chargers 5 - 11





This is going to be a weak division this year. I think the Broncos vastly improved defense will take full advantage.

The Chiefs run is over, Holmes will do his thing but everybody knows you can run all over that defense. Chiefs didn't do anything to fill those holes. Lionel Dalton and their second round pick Junior Siavii help but won't fix their busted defense.

The Raiders made a lot of improvements. This team is a big question mark. I hope with a new coach some adjustment time is needed and they're not as tough as they look on paper. They were is the Superbowl two years ago. This team looks better than the one they played the Bucs with.

The Broncos will have the best defense in the AFC. Better than the Ravens and Pats. As long as we're healthy. I know that's big talk but I think this defense is that good. Sure we lost Ian gold and John Mobley is out this year. Donnie Spragan and Jashon Sykes filled in nicely last season. With the addition of D.J. Williams our LB corps is as good as ever. Champ Bailey is the big name in the secondary but look for Lenny Walls to be outstanding. I'm sure opposition will test him with Bailey on the other side. His size matched with speed make him a freak. We also finally have a FS. I've been screaming that for years now. I know Lynch is known as a run support safety but His abilities in pass coverage are still better than what we've had recently.

I think Tatum Bell behind our offensive line will win the starting spot at runningback. His speed will put him over the top and he'll be a thousand yard back. Lelie needs to have a breakout year and showed promise the end of last season. Broncos are deep at TE, a very important position in Shannahan's offense. If Darius Watts can step up in the #3 WR role I think our offense will be ok. Jake Plummer and Rod Smith HAVE to stay healthy if we're going to be successful this year.

Broncos win the AFC West easily.

Don't really have anything positive to say about the Chargers except LT is great. I think this team is in a transitional period and probably won't be good for another couple years. They might make out in next year's draft though if they're as bad as I think they are going to be this year. Thanx to Eli.

TheOmen
07-25-2004, 03:25 PM
I can't see how you can forget Dante Hall. He provides points for the Chiefs that most teams never see. Kickoff Return TD's. Now, it would be stellar if he could even come close to what he did last year, but he's still a threat. He doesn't even have to score...every time he touches ball, the Chiefs get field position that most teams would kill for. So, with that said...

Chiefs 12-4
Raiders 10-6 (I expect some Sapp offensive TD's in short yardage)
Broncos 9-7
Chargers 5-11

doublee
07-25-2004, 03:27 PM
The Raiders intrigue me as well. Gannon claims last year was an aberration and that he is now 100% healthy. I love the additions of Sapp and Washington to the D-Line. They should give the defense the toughness and character it has missed for years. Injuries really killed this team more than anything else last year. The offense never seemed to get on track last year with Gannon getting hurt and Porter missing six games and never really getting it together at all during the season.

I don't think the Chargers will ever be taken seriously again until Schottenheimer is gone. What a fiasco this team is. Nobody seems to want to play for the guy any decent veteran on that team seems to want out of there. The team seems to be regressing rather than progressing.

Breed
07-25-2004, 08:49 PM
I'd go...

Chiefs
Broncos
Raiders
Chargers

Ego_Maniac
07-26-2004, 10:32 AM
Guys, I'd guess that 5280 is correct in his assumption that the Chiefs are done. There isn't a history of stability in KC (in the win/loss 'department').

The teams you should be focused on are Denver and Oakland.

Marc
07-26-2004, 07:02 PM
I'm waiting for: 1) August; 2) Anthony's threads. My lips are sealed. :P

MountaineerDave
08-02-2004, 02:53 PM
In a rare moment of accordance with Maniac, I'll half agree with him. Pay 'tention to Denver, ignore the folks in Oakland. In fact, Denver will have this division wrapped up by mid-November...

Dave