NFL '13 Preview: AFC West

By Joe Pantorno

I had to get this division out of the way as the Broncos are in action tonight against the Ravens. And this might be the easiest of the divisions to pick, but the AFC West really hasn't provided football much over the past decade other than a lot of promise and a fall from grace come the playoffs.

1. Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning to Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Julius Thomas? Yes please. The Broncos are going to absolutely roll over this division on offensive firepower alone even without a set running game. Ronnie Hillman is listed as the starter with Montee Ball and Knowshon Moreno waiting in the wings.

Von Miller's suspension won't do much to this defense. They'll be fine. Last year, the Broncos had the second ranked defense behind Baltimore. While the Ravens won't be there, Denver will even with the loss of Elvis Dumervil. Plus, this team can outscore anyone they please.

Denver goes 13-3 this season and has this division wrapped up by week 11.

X-Factor: Wesley Woodyard

Last year, Woodyard lead the second best defense in the league in tackles, interceptions and had the fourth-most sacks. Coming from a weakside linebacker, that's pretty impressive.

He'll have to carry the defensive load with Miller gone and he is more than capable of doing so, but he's an Pro Bowler. Do we still use that term? I hate the Pro Bowl.




2. San Diego Chargers

This team had countless chances to not only dominate this division for years, but to win a Super Bowl. They never could. Now, they're simply mediocre.

Ryan Mathews comes off a down season and Antonio Gates has been injury prone. Leading the offense, Phillip Rivers is overrated, just like the rest of his squad.

Manti Te'o could very well the defensive rookie of the year this year and the acquisition of Dwight Freeney adds some pass-rushing ability, but this defense is nothing special. The Chargers go 8-8.

X-Factor: Danny Woodhead

With a receiving corps that is middle of the road, Woodhead can become a vital option out of the backfield for Phillip Rivers.

He's versatile enough to take snaps away from Mathews and could even line up as a receiver. He's the poor man's version of Darren Sproles, someone the Chargers have missed these past few seasons.






3. Kansas City Chiefs

There's something here for Kansas City. Jamaal Charles is going to have a big season and Dwayne Bowe could be a number one receiver on almost any team.

The biggest piece they acquired this off-season was a QB and Alex Smith is just that. A lot of people are on the fence about this guy, but I think he's a winner. He's a smart quarterback, limits his turnovers and his style can fit the Chiefs offense perfectly. He's not an air-it-out kind of quarterback. Smith is methodical and he has the options to make himself comfortable for the most part. I'm also interested to see how no. 1 pick Eric Fisher will fare on a real okay offensive line.

The defense was ranked 20th last year and will be problematic this year. The Chiefs go 7-9 this year and with a good draft next year, can be the second best team outright in this division.

X-Factor: Alex Smith

I put a lot of faith for success in this team with Alex Smith and a lot is indeed on his shoulders. Being shunned from San Francisco, you know he's playing with a chip on his shoulder, but he can't try and do too much.

That's the great thing about Alex Smith. He doesn't try and do too much. Keep your head, throw for anything between 2,800-3,100 yards with 17 TD's and less than nine picks, the Chiefs will be fine.



4. Oakland Raiders

I always think of what could have been if the Tuck Game never happened. Maybe Oakland wouldn't be mired in what will be a decade and a half of awful football.

Matt Flynn has the capability of being a decent starter in the league, but when your number one target is Denarius Moore, it's not going to be easy.

Darren McFadden will be the main source of offense, but with an offensive line like the Raiders, it won't be too much of a problem to stop him. The Raiders go 5-11 with no serious direction. I say after this season, they just start dumping everyone.




X-Factor: Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson has the dubious task of leading a no-name defense after coming from one of the best teams in the league.

I feel bad for him. We all do, but his experience can bring positives to this team. Though they're no-name, they were ranked 18th in the league last year. His acquisition might be able to bump them up a bit.