2013 Division Preview: AFC West

Division Winner: Denver Broncos

The addition of Wes Welker makes the Broncos a Super Bowl favorite

Most Dominant Player: Peyton Manning

1.  Denver Broncos          12-4
2.  Kansas City Chiefs      7-9
3.  San Diego Chargers     5-11
4.  Oakland Raiders          2-14

     There is a lot to say about the Denver Broncos this year. And even after a disappointing one and done in the playoffs last year, fans are expecting the Broncos to finish better then than they did in 2012. With Peyton Manning serving as the the division's "sheriff," you can guarantee that Denver will pick up right where they left off. A stinging home loss to the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens still haunts Broncos fans everywhere, while the players are working their hardest to erase those memories by future play on the field. Willis McGahee is coming off an MCL injury but the Broncos "tailback-by-committee" approach has always proved to be effective...in step Montee Ball from Wisconsin. The former record setting RB has good vision but I don't think he has the top end speed to stay on the field. With that said, expect Knowshon Moreno and Ronnie Hillaman to get more carries this year at the RB position. At the WR position, Denver picked up the play-making Wes Welker via free agency to pair with Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. Joel Dreessenn and Jacob Tamme are good enough TE to an offense that is expected to finish in the top 5 this Fall. On Defense, the Broncos lose Elvis Dumervil but still have Von Miller rushing the opposing team's quarterback. Scary...and although Champ Bailey is getting a little older he is still a quality starting CB in the NFL. The addition of Antonio Rodgers-Cromartie will only help the growing games of Quentin Carter and Rahim Moore. Look for Denver to score a TON of points in 2013.

Jamaal Charles is primed for another big year under Andy Reid

     Before I start talking about the Kansas City Chiefs, I want to go ahead and say that I won't waste any time time talking about the Oakland Raiders in this post. After seeing this team go from a Super Bowl favorite in 2000 to now...I feel bad for the fans. I think they deserve MUCH better from their owner and upper management. As one of the storied franchises in the NFL, there is no excuse for the Packers to be winning consistently but not the Raiders...give this town a REAL football team. They deserve it. Now, about the Kansas City Chiefs who seriously think Alex Smith is going to win them a division title. The purpose of drafting a QB or acquiring a starter in free agency is to win the division. Not only is Alex Smith's game dwarfed by Colin Kaepernick's, it is miniscule compared to Peyton Manning. With Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery on the outside, I just don't see things coming together for anyone on offense but Jamaal Charles and Tony Moeaki. There is no real threat other than Bowe at receiver so that limits what plays the Chiefs can call on 3rd downs...Simply put, everyone is going to be looking for the screen pass if you have ever seen an Andy Reid coached Eagles team. On the good side, Kansas City boasts some very good players on defense. They return Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, Eric Berry, Brandon Flowers, Tamba Hali, and signed Keenan Lewis in free agency. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, you have to score points to win in the NFL and I don't see the offense's level of performance keeping up with that of the defense's.

     San Diego has no running game. Period. The team never should have let Mike Tolbert go to Carolina last year because Ryan Matthews has been the banged up RB that everyone thought he would be coming out of college. I like the new head coach Mike McCoy but I don't see a reason to place San Diego above the Chiefs. The Chargers lack superstar power at wideout, running back, and tight end(yes I know Antonio Gates is still playing football). The defense is average at best, and the team is simply in rebuilding mode even though they won't admit it. Manti Te'o should have a solid rookie campaign but he will get his ankles broken plenty of times before he is considered a solid pro in this league. Any other thoughts on the Chargers after losing Melvin Ingram to an ACL and signing Dwight Freeney? Nope. Uninteresting...