AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are truly a sad sack of a franchise right now. The franchise has gone downhill ever since their 2007 playoff appearance where they got killed by the Colts. The Chiefs have hope in Matt Cassel, their second year starting quarterback. But, Cassel needs to be protected by an amazing offensive line, but the Chiefs offensive line is horrific as far as pass protection. When it comes to run blocking, the Chiefs have some talent there though. They have two running backs which are really good in Jamaal Charles and free agent back Thomas Jones. Too bad the defense is horrible, or else this team could be a team to contend with.
Prediction: 4-12
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders actually did some smart things this offseason, like retaining Tom Cable as head coach, and getting rid of JaMarcus Russell, one of the worst number one overall picks in history, along with Tim Couch. The Raiders also traded for Jason Campbell, who needed a change of scenery from Washington, and he will be under less scrutiny in a smaller market, even though the fans are just as rabid. The Raiders also have a shutdown corner in Nnamdi Asomugha and overall a pretty solid defense all around which will rank in the top 10 of the league. Just too bad the Raiders don't have much of an offense outside of Campbell, which is why they will stink.
Prediction: 5-11
Denver Broncos
The Broncos are a good team, but I can't see them getting past the hump of .500. Tim Tebow will come in as a quarterback in wildcat situations and do incredibly well, and will start a game or two before the end of the season. The Denver defense took a huge hit with the loss of Elvis Dumervil and the rest of the defense will suffer for it. Although Brian Dawkins will make everyone else around him play better, he will not be as good as he was last year in his first year in Denver. The offense will also suffer with the loss of star receiver Brandon Marshall, which is another reason why this team will just be mediocre.
Prediction: 7-9
San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are easily the class of this division. The Chargers have a great offense with Patrick Crayton, and the Chargers drafted the possible offensive Rookie of the Year in Ryan Matthews. The Chargers also have a really good defense. The only problem is that the team doesn't seem to come through in the playoffs, which they won't do again this year.
Prediction: 10-6, number 4 seed.
NFC West
St. Louis Rams
There is a reason the Rams drafted Sam Bradford number one overall, that's because they stink. They will continue to stink, but not because of Bradford, or because of Chris Long, who has been fairly successful over his first two years in the NFL. It's because the team is very young an inexperienced overall. Bradford will make the team better, and the offensive line needs to protect him, because otherwise he may separate his shoulder again, and that would spell disaster for the Rams.
Prediction: 3-13
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle brought in Pete Carroll as head coach for two reasons, because Jim Mora, Jr. is a wonderful coordinator, not so much head coach. Secondly, they wanted Carroll to breathe new life into the franchise which has a bunch of veteran players and try and make them play the way Carroll had his players play at USC. Problem being that Carroll hasn't coached in the NFL since 1999 and a lot has changed since then. Plus, he wasn't all that successful in the NFL, he had a lot more successful tenure at USC, where he took his teams to countless BCS bowls. But, Matt Hasselbeck has proven himself to be injury prone and right now there is no proven backup there and Carroll just isn't good enough to take this team to the playoffs.
Prediction: 6-10
Arizona Cardinals
Kurt Warner, who led this franchise to back to back playoff apearances for the first time since 1947, has retired. With his departure, the Cardinals though they could finally see what Matt Leinart could really do in his fourth professional year. Well, they found out he couldn't do a whole lot, so hence why Derek Anderson is now the starter. Anderson, in my belief is a one year wonder in 2007 for the Browns, as ever since then, he has stunk. the Cardinals are a team like the Eagles, which are in transition, as they lost Warner, Anquan Boldin, and Karlos Dansby. So, with the team being in transition, thats whay I don't think the team will be all that great.
Prediction: 7-9
San Francisco 49ers
Since Mike Singletary took over the 49ers in the middle of the 2008 season, the 49ers have gotten better and better, this is the year where I think they break through and get to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Alex Smith has two receivers to throw to which are good in Ted Ginn and Michael Crabtree, who should also have a breakout year in his second season. Crabtree will definitely get over 1,200 yards in his first full season as a starter. Then, Vernon Davis will continue to make strides as one of the premier tight ends in the league. Finally, the defense, Singletary's specialty, will be in the top 12 of the league, with Patrick Willis leading the way.
Prediction: 10-6, 4th seed in the NFC.
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