The AFC West is probably the second worst division in the NFL, after the NFC West. However, these are still NFL teams, with real people playing football for a living. They aren’t just going to roll over and die when they play the “elite” teams. There are two types of teams in the AFC West this year; the ones that are on the upswing, and the ones that are on the decline. The Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders belong in the first group, while the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos belong in the latter group.
1. San Diego Chargers
Projected Record: 9-7
Fantasy Sleeper: Legedu Naanee – WR
Cliff Notes: The Chargers may have the easiest schedule in the league, which is the main reason I still see this team over .500 in 2010. Other reasons include Ryan Mathews, Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, Legedu Naanee, and Malcom Floyd. Even without Vincent Jackson, this offense is still at least a Top 15 Offense. Don’t expect the same Chargers that rallied off 13 wins last season, but they are still the team to beat in the AFC West.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Projected Record: 8-8
Fantasy Sleeper: Matt Cassel – QB
Cliff Notes: The Kansas City Chiefs are going to surprise a lot of people when they double their 2009 win total, by winning 8 games in 2010. As long as the offensive line can improve from last season, Matt Cassel should have plenty of options to make this offense click. If Matt Cassel can learn to get rid of the ball, instead of taking so many sacks, he could become an elite Quarterback. The acquisition of Thomas Jones should make for quite the running back duo when paired with Jamaal Charles. Their favorable schedule makes it hard to imagine this team winning anything less than 7 games.
3. Oakland Raiders
Projected Record: 7-9
Fantasy Sleeper: Darrius Heyward-Bey – WR
Cliff Notes: It’s hard to remember the last winning season the Oakland Raiders had. You have to go all the way back to 2002. However, 2010 should be the start of something good for the Raiders. If they can get 7 wins this year, then look out for them in 2011. The Raiders didn’t draft Darrius Heyward-Bey 7th overall just to have him catch 9 passes a year. I expect the Raiders to make him their goto guy this year.
4. Denver Broncos
Projected Record: 6-10
Fantasy Sleeper: Eric Decker -WR
Cliff Notes: After a ridiculous 6-0 start to last season, the Broncos faded into what they really were, a bad team. They will need more of those lucky breaks if they want to surpass .500 in 2010. A more likely scenario is 6-10 or 7-9. Without Brandon Marshall as their #1 target, Kyle Orton loses some fantasy value, if he had any to begin with. Someone will have to step their game up. Will it be Eddie Royal or the First Round Draft pick out of Georgia Tech, Demaryius Thomas?
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Who the hell came up with the summary and records for the Chargers? You are a complete idiot! They have 6 wins in conference alone! one of the best offenses in the league and one of the best quarterbacks. This is a 12 win team minimum! You should crawl back into your moms basement and do what you do best, which is definately not a prognosticator of NFL Football, idiot….
You are entitled to your opinion, although it appears to be biased. That being said, I see this team as 10 win team max without McNeil and Jackson. I guess we’ll find out who’s right by the end of the season
Mike, have your come out of your Chargers igloo yet and seen their 2-3 start? There “6 wins in conference alone” is now 4 wins in conference, maximum.