Chiefs.
I think the Chiefs had a terrible string of injuries last year to start the season. With Cassel and Charles out, plus several other key players hurt before the season even started, no one expected them to do as well as they actually did last season, which wasnt great, and certainly didnt match the 10-6(?) record they scored in 2010, but was better than I and others expected. Do I think they are AFC contenders? Nah. AFC west contenders? Sure. With weapons like Charles and Hillis, Bowe and Baldwin to support Cassel (not a great qb, but much better than anything they had last season) they have a shot at the division.
Chargers.
GReat Talent on both sides of the ball still, though not on par with previous recent years. With Gates and Mathews healthy, and a bit of a resurgence from Rivers, who knows? (admittedly a bunch of iffy ifs) However, They are still handicapped by having Norv still at the helm.
Raiders
A much improved defense in Oakland, and some badly needed secondary help to me elevates them to actually being the favorite, in my humble and not widely shared opinion. Great D line, decent O line, improved secondary. They also have some solid and emerging weapons on offense with guys like Streeter and Taiwan Jones whom I consider impact unknowns (and fantasy sleepers) mixed with McFadden, Jacoby Ford and a fleet WR corp to stretch things out. If Palmer limits his INTs the Raiders look to be eliminated on Wildcard weekend instead of the final reg season game like last year.
Broncos
Man, there is alot of hype on these guys for this year and it all revolves around Peyton. Let us assume he stays healthy, I just dont think his recievers are as good as many on here do. If Thomas hadnt caught that ball that ended the Steelers' playoffs, most of us outside of Denver still wouldnt know who he is, and his route precision is subpar atm, which plays away from Manning's strengths. I like Decker, but he is a possession receiver mediocre as opposed to extraordinaire (some will vehemently deny this, time will tell). Tamme is a decnt TE, and McGahee is sorta kinda meh, alot rides on Peyton to carry this team. Se my previous post concerning their lower tier defense. If the QB is healthy and on par with his career averages, they have a shot. I see this as a 3rd or last place team. Fire away
Broncos added a lot of people to their defense, and you forgot they added Joel Dressen in addition to Tamme
Raiders may have improved their secondary, but they lost Kameron Wimbley from their linebacking.
Chiefs, Cassel played a bit last year, not a whole lot, but a bit. No mention by you of Eric Berry's injury as being a reason for their failure.
So... watching the pre-season exhibition sv the 49ers.... still not feeling great about them? that they're over hyped?
I agree with your previous posts about the anti-Tebowness, and so blah bloah for their defense. But, Tebow put them in a position where even though the broncos ran the ball a lot, and that burns time, they went 3 and out QUITE a bit, the defense was on the field for more time of the game than most team's defenses. 2ndly, the field position, so yeah that def helps put them in that lower 1/3 defense area of the NFL.
But, your method of assessing the defense isn't the best either. for example you said they were 20th in yards per game. Detroit whom people would say had a better defense, 23rd. Superbowl winners New York, people would say was a better defense as well, 27th. Oakland, whom you're praising for their defense, 29th.
Denver added Mike Adams whom had a great year in Cleveland and helped them be a top 10 defense last season. as well as a few veteran linebacks, brooking jumps to mind. Also, don't know how much of Derek Wolfe you've seen, but he seems legit. (their safeties are garbage though)
I wish there was more foucs on the NFC West. I don't think SF wins that division on a silver platter like everyone says.
Seattle made m