ESPN Insider Projections: AFC West

[brothers11]

Projected order of finish




1. San Diego Chargers (13-3)
Last year's team had one of the NFL's best passing attacks, even with a gimpy LT, who's healthy. So are defensive stalwarts Shawne Merriman and Antonio Cromartie. Come January, though, the team will still be hamstrung by the hapless Norv Turner.


2. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)
Shotgun-happy Matt Cassel matches up well with shotgun-happy head coach Todd Haley, and we know Scott Pioli can run a franchise. But expect tough going as Glenn Dorsey, Derrick Johnson and the rest of the front seven swap positions to implement the 3-4.



To continue reading ESPN The Magazine's AFC West preview, you must be an ESPN Insider.


3. Oakland Raiders (6-10)
Will JaMarcus Russell succeed after his 5-11 career start? It could happen (see: Peyton Manning, who went 3-13 ). Or not (see: Joey Harrington, who went 4-12). Regardless, the Raiders fixed their 31st-ranked run D this off-season -- by adding pass-rushers. Not smart.


4. Denver Broncos (5-11)
New boss Josh McDaniels broke up the offense. Even worse, Denver has its oldest starting secondary of the decade. Oh, yeah, it's got a new 3-4 front that depends on veteran backups and defensive linemen playing out of position as outside linebackers. Yikes.



Jaws vs. Gruden




Jaws: The West begins and ends with who's at quarterback. Philip Rivers will carry the Chargers to an easy division win, while Matt Cassel will significantly improve the young Chiefs.


Gruden: It's not about the letters Q and B. Try numbers: 3-4. Rivers will certainly help the Chargers take the West, but it's the return of Shawne Merriman and the addition of Larry English that will bring back the lights-out pass-rush. The Chiefs will have some serious growing pains in their new 3-4 scheme. And Josh McDaniels just installed a ­defense with three down linemen in Denver, but it's going to be awkward until he gets the right personnel.


Jaws: McDaniels has a bigger area of concern: Kyle Orton. He's serviceable when he has a great D and a solid running game, but he's going to be asked to carry the Broncos. At least they have Coach's favorite former Bucs QB, Chris Simms, as a backup.


Gruden: Hilarious, Jaws. Talking about my past, the Raiders -- my former employers -- are on the upswing. Jeff Garcia and JaMarcus Russell are an odd couple, but they'll help each other.


Jaws: Yeah, but Russell still needs to grow up.

[trainwreck]

Were they drunk when they came up with the Chiefs record?

They talk about how the Chiefs will struggle then have them finishing second in division.

[robdog]

I like that record for the Chargers, but I really don't think they are going to get 13 wins.

[mesahotguy5]

Originally Posted by trainwreck

Were they drunk when they came up with the Chiefs record? They talk about how the Chiefs will struggle then have them finishing second in division.

They do have the Broncos and Raiders in that division. I think the Chiefs could go 4-12 and get 2nd in that division.

[KMoney]

I can't imagine the chargers getting 13 wins after barely getting into the playoffs last year. Yeah they'll have 6 relatively easy wins, but 13 seems a bit too much. I'd say 9 or 10 wins. They really didn't improve.

[mesahotguy5]

Originally Posted by KMoney

I can't imagine the chargers getting 13 wins after barely getting into the playoffs last year. Yeah they'll have 6 relatively easy wins, but 13 seems a bit too much. I'd say 9 or 10 wins. They really didn't improve.

Merriman healthy...