2015 AFC West Preview

The AFC West has three teams that should contend for the playoffs at least this season, and possibly to make playoff runs. Plus, the Raiders, long the cellar dwellers in this division, are better than their record indicates, and should see an improvement in their record. This is a quality division, and I suspect that Denver, the team that has won the division title for four years running, will struggle to hold off San Diego this season. Plus, Kansas City is a tough team that could prove to be a factor, if all runs well for them. Not an easy division to make some noise in. 

Given that, let me make my predictions about what will happen this season in the AFC West:



1. Denver Broncos (projected division winner) - The Broncos did not dominate the season in their division nor in the AFC last season like they did two seasons ago. Still, this still should be the best team in this division right now, and will be so most likely for as long as Peyton Manning in the quarterback. But this is likely Manning's last hurrah, which means that for the Broncos, everything hinges on not just a playoff berth or even a division title, but an outright Super Bowl berth. Those are lofty expectations, but the Broncos still have enough talent, despite some of the notable departures, to make a serious run. Manning has to be healthy and in form, and he looked shaky late last season - particularly in that playoff game. If he and the rest of the team remain healthy, they should still be tough to beat, and the best in the West.





2. San Diego Chargers (projected second place) - The Chargers appeared to be shopping Philip Rivers around during the off-season, but ultimately decided to keep him. They have a solid team, but they also show some remarkable inconsistency. That, plus a rough schedule - particularly on the road, will prevent them from seriously contending for the division title with Denver. Still, they can overtake Kansas City and Oakland for second place, and a playoff berth, and my suspicion is that this is exactly what they will do. They have retooled the offensive line, and should see improvements in the running game with rookie running back Melvin Gordon. Plus, they have Rivers was performing very well, and obviously brings veteran leadership at the helm. That means that San Diego, barring injuries, should have a very dangerous offense this year. With a halfway decent defensive effort, San Diego should be a serious contender this season, and possibly could contend, and maybe even overtake, the Broncos for supremacy in the AFC West.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (projected third place) - The Kansas City Chiefs are the West's answer to the New York Jets: a team with Super Bowl glory well back in its past, but only very limited success ever since. Every now and then, like the Jets, they will have a roster that puts them into playoff contention. Over the years, the Chiefs have seen defensive juggernauts, like in the nineties. They have had numerous starting quarterbacks, including Joe Montana. They have tried high powered offenses, and more conservative, run-oriented offenses. Yet, they rarely go beyond a certain point. They are a contender, but never seem to get that extra lift that could put them somewhere special. The Chiefs are a good team, and possibly a playoff caliber team this season. But something tells me that they will hover at or near .500 this season, and despite some strengths, they will fail to make the postseason when 2015 is over. 

4. Oakland Raiders (projected last place) - Speaking of teams that once enjoyed Super Bowl status, but have fallen under hard times for, oh, about the last three decades or so since, we have the Oakland Raiders. Remember when wearing silver and black was all the rage, and liking this team was considered really, really cool? Yeah, well, those days are done. When a team produces the consistent level of mediocrity that the Raiders have now for over a dozen years straight, huge popularity starts to become a thing of the past. Oakland last qualified for the playoffs in 2002, when they managed to reach Super Bowl XXXVII, and were favored to beat Tampa Bay. Instead, they got crushed, and it seems that this franchise has never fully gotten over it since. They have tried various different things, tried building up the talent base over time. and also tried quick fixes and brought in big name players. Nothing has worked thus far for more lasting success. Still, the Raiders keep trying, and they may just be on the right course, finally, to a more lasting and serious success. With the eventual decline of the Broncos inevitable, and Rivers possibly heading for greener pastures and departing San Diego, the Raiders might benefit strongly and rise back to contention. It just will not happen this season.