4. Oakland Raiders
2013 Record = 4-12, Last in AFC West, Missed Playoffs
2014 Schedule = @ Jets, Texans, @ Patriots, Dolphins,
BYE, Chargers, Cardinals, @ Browns, @ Seahawks, Broncos, @ Chargers, Chiefs, @
Rams, 49ers, @ Chiefs, Bills, @ Broncos
Blue Chippers = None
High Quality Players = FB Marcel Reece
Solid Contributors = WR James Jones, LT Donald Penn,
C Stefen Wisniewski, DE LaMarr Woodley, DE Justin Tuck, DT Antonio Smith, CB
Tarell Brown, SS Tyvon Branch
Impact Rookies = OLB Khalil Mack (1-5, Buffalo)
Good News = They’ve shed almost all of their dead
contracts, giving them salary cap flexibility for the first time since the Jon
Gruden era.
Bad News = In an anonymous player poll, Oakland was
voted as the least desirable team to play for in the league.
Outlook = If the Raiders didn’t face such a
hellacious schedule in 2014, we’d be a little more enthusiastic about their
chances to reach .500 this year. As it stands, it’s an improved roster with
plenty of long-term flexibility going forward. Matt Schaub was brought in to
start the season at quarterback, but don’t be shocked if Derek Carr is the one
who finishes it. Carr showed a much higher ceiling during the pre-season before
suffering a concussion last Friday against Detroit. Against all odds, Darren
McFadden resigned on a one-year prove it deal, and he’ll share carries with
Jaguars castoff Maurice Jones-Drew. Perhaps if they start the year splitting
carries, maybe one of them will still be healthy at the end of the year. The
receiving core is interesting, but we aren’t confident that the current
quarterback situation will be able to take advantage of it. James Jones was
signed from Green Bay, and he provides a solid deep threat. Rod Streeter hauled
in 60 passes last year (a lot of them from Matt McGloin!), and Denarius Moore
has shown flashes of big play ability. The Raiders most intriguing offensive
player is tight end Mychal Rivera, who after being drafted in the sixth round last
year, will get the opportunity for full-time work this year. Oakland’s
offensive line will feature four new starters, and the ability of that group to
develop chemistry will be the biggest factor in the Raiders being a competent
offensive club.
Defensively
is where the Raiders should plan to hang their hat this year, as the majority
of their off-season moves were made to improve a unit that gave up the second
most points in franchise history. Justin Tuck, LaMarr Woodley, and Antonio
Smith were all solid free agent pickups that immediately improve their defense.
Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers were brought over from across the Bay to bolster
a defense that was the fifth worst in the NFL. Tyvon Branch only played two
games last year, so his return to health will also provide a lift. The
linebacking core is the weakest link of the group, with Khalil Mack needing to
provide an immediate lift.
Prediction = The record will still stink, but at
least the Raiders are moving in the right direction. 4-12
3. Kansas City Chiefs
2013 Record = 11-5, Second in AFC West, Lost AFC
Wildcard Game
2014 Schedule = Titans, @ Broncos, @ Dolphins,
Patriots, @ 49ers, BYE, @ Chargers, Rams, Jets, @ Bills, Seahawks, @ Raiders,
Broncos, @ Cardinals, Raiders, @ Steelers, Chargers
Blue Chippers = HB Jamaal Charles, DT Dontari Poe
High Quality Players = MLB Derrick Johnson, OLB
Justin Houston, OLB Tamba Hali, SS Eric Berry
Solid Contributors = WR Dwayne Bowe, DE Mike DeVito
Impact Rookies = DE Dee Ford (1-23, Auburn)
Good News = Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are healthy
to start the season.
Bad News = Can you say regression?
Outlook = Last year, Kansas City parlayed the good
fortune of facing one of the weakest schedules in recent memory into a playoff
appearance. This year, they aren’t so fortunate. With the exception of their
road trip to Oakland, none of their away games are easy on paper. That would
make running the table at home almost a requirement if they are to make a
playoff push, but with Denver, New England, and Seattle coming to Arrowhead,
that is also unlikely. How competitive they are will likely depend on how much
star pass rushers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are on the field. When they are
causing havoc, this is one of the elite defensive units in THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL
LEAGUE.
The offense
should’ve been called “Jamaal Charles and the Kansas City Chiefs” last year,
because he literally put the team on his back. Charles led the team in rushing
and receiving while piling up a league high 19 total touchdowns. His ability to
be effective in the passing game keeps his fantasy value high in spite of the
retooled offensive line he’ll be working with this year. Kansas City lost three
starters from their line last year, and desperately need Eric Fisher to emerge
as a star in his first full season at left tackle. Carolina is the only team in
the league that features a more pathetic core of wide receivers, as Dwayne Bowe
looked washed up at times in 2013.
Prediction = Kansas City will struggle against the
NFC West, which will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for their
playoff hopes. 7-9
2. San Diego Chargers
2013 Record = 9-7, Third in AFC West, Lost AFC
Divisional Game
2014 Schedule = @ Cardinals, Seahawks, @ Bills,
Jaguars, Jets, @ Raiders, Chiefs, @ Broncos, @ Dolphins, BYE, Raiders, Rams, @
Ravens, Patriots, Broncos, @ 49ers, @ Chiefs
Blue Chippers = FS Eric Weddle
High Quality Players = QB Phillip Rivers, WR Keenan
Allen
Solid Contributors = HB Ryan Matthews, HB Danny
Woodhead, WR Malcolm Floyd, TE Antonio Gates, LT King Dunlap, C Nick Hardwick,
RT D.J. Fluker, OLB Dwight Freeney, CB Brandon Flowers
Impact Rookies = CB Jason Verrett (1-25, TCU), OLB
Jerry Attaochu (2-50, Georgia Tech)
Good News = Phillip Rivers has reestablished himself
as a true franchise quarterback.
Bad News = San Diego still needs to prove it can be
consistent week to week.
Outlook = The Chargers are one of the trendier dark
horse picks in the AFC, and for good reason. Only division rival Denver
generated more passing yards last year, and San Diego won five of their last
six to sneak into the playoffs. The offense should still be very good, with
depth across the board at all of the skill positions. If they can incorporate
second-string tight end Ladarius Green into the rotation, the offense will become
even more potent. Ryan Matthews wasn’t necessarily spectacular, but his
surprising run of health provided stability in the running game. Keenan Allen
was a sensation upon his insertion into the starting lineup, and should put up
monster numbers with the chance to be featured for a full 16 games. Their
offensive line was competent for the first time in years, and should take more
steps forward with some progression by King Dunlap and D.J. Fluker.
A porous
pass defense is the main reason San Diego had to scratch and claw it’s way into
a wildcard spot (they made Chiefs backup Chase McDaniel look like the second
coming of Joe Montana in Week 17), but fortunately the Chargers were aggressive
in addressing this weakness. Brandon Flowers was signed after he was released
by Kansas City, and he will be paired with first round pick Jason Verrett in a
rebuilt secondary. Jerry Attaochu will likely need to make a decent impact,
because it’s hard to for see Dwight Freeney staying healthy the entire season.
Prediction = San Diego will sneak up to 10 wins, but
they still aren’t quite at Denver’s level yet. 10-6
1. Denver Broncos
2013 Record = 13-3, AFC West Champions, Lost Super
Bowl
2014 Schedule = Colts, Chiefs, @ Seahawks, BYE,
Cardinals, @ Jets, 49ers, Chargers, @ Patriots, @ Raiders, @ Rams, Dolphins, @
Chiefs, Bills, @ Chargers, @ Bengals, Raiders
Blue Chippers = QB Peyton Manning, OLB Von Miller
High Quality Players = WR Demaryius Thomas, TE Julius
Thomas, LT Ryan Clady, RG Louis Vasquez, DT Terrance Knighton, DE DeMarcus
Ware, CB Aqib Talib, CB Chris Harris, SS T.J. Ward
Solid Contributors = WR Wes Welker, LG Orlando
Franklin, C Manny Ramirez, OLB Danny Trevathan
Impact Rookies = CB Bradley Roby (1-31, Ohio State),
WR Cody Latimer (2-56, Indiana)
Good News = On paper, no team did more to improve
it’s defense during the off-season than Denver.
Bad News = They get a Super Bowl rematch in Week 3.
Outlook = After getting obliterated by Seattle in the
Super Bowl last February, it’s easy to point out flaws in the Broncos, and even
make a case that San Diego could overtake them in their own division. However,
when you take a step back and look at the overall landscape in the AFC, it’s
easy to see that they are by far the deepest team in the Conference. Ryan Clady’s
return will stabilize the entire offensive line, and the addition of DeMarcus
Ware provides another elite pass rusher to take some pressure off of Von
Miller. What could be the difference if Denver is to win a Super Bowl could be
the health of Wes Welker and Chris Harris. Welker has suffered three
concussions in the last 10 months, and Harris developed into a shutdown corner
before going down with a knee injury in the playoffs.
Prediction = With or without Welker this season, the
offense is solid enough to win another AFC West title. 12-4
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