NFL Divisional Previews – 2012 AFC West Betting Breakdown
All eyes will be on Peyton Manning and how he plays for the Broncos this season, but oddsmakers have the AFC West as one of the most wide-open divisions. There is not only pressure on Manning, but also the other QB’s in the division in Phillip Rivers, Carson Palmers and Matt Cassel.
AFC West Team Pages
Denver
Kansas City
Oakland
San Diego
Speaking of pressure if the Chargers do not advance to the playoffs don’t look for Norv Turner to be back in sunny San Diego after next season.
San Diego Chargers
Odds To Win AFC West +180
Odds To Win Super Bowl 25-1
Rivers had a bad season last year and set a career high in INT’s. WR Vincent Jackson is now in Tampa Bay and even with him gone Rivers has to bounce back and have a good season. RB Ryan Mathews has been one of the biggest underachievers in the league for the last few years and will that change this season? The run defense struggled last season and to address that issue they drafted DE Melvin Ingram in the first round and DT Kendall Reyes in the second round. The D is decent, but this season comes down to Rivers to vaunt the Chargers back to one of the best offensive teams in the league.
Chargers AFC West Prediction – Rivers will bounce back and unlike the last few years the Bolts will be legit and they will win the division.
Denver Broncos
Odds To Win AFC West +170
Odds To Win Super Bowl 16-1
Manning has looked good in the off-season and he has to improve upon the Broncos and their 31st ranked pass offense from last season. While Manning is in the field and the Broncos had the top ranked rushing offense last season they do not have a great WR corps. RB Willis McGahee had nearly 1,200 rushing yards last season and he has to play well again to take pressure off Manning. LB Von Miller is a stud on D, but the defense still has issues.
Broncos AFC West Prediction – I think Manning will have a good season, but the defense will struggle again. I do not think the Broncos will win the AFC West, but a Wild Card spot is a definite possibility. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Kansas City Chiefs
Odds To Win AFC West +350
Odds To Win Super Bowl 45-1
The Chiefs finished last season 7-9 and just missed out on the playoffs and for them to get back Matt Cassel has to play well and RB Jamaal Charles has to recover from his major knee injury. RB Peyton Hillis was brought in to help the running game and he was terrible last season after lighting up the league the previous season. Signing free agent OT Eric Winston was a good move and they made a solid first round pick in DT Dontari Poe. S Eric Berry leads a great pass defense, but the run defense may be a major issue this season.
Chiefs AFC West Prediction – The Chiefs will be better than last year and the playoffs are not out of the question, but I think they will finish around 9-7.
Oakland Raiders
Odds To Win AFC West +500
Odds To Win Super Bowl 75-1
The Raiders did not draft a player until round 3 because they traded many of their picks last season to bring in Carson Palmer. Palmer has a decent WR corps, but for the Raiders to win they will need RB Darren McFadden to stay healthy. McFadden and Michael Bush form a great backfield combo and they will be counted on to shoulder the offensive load this season. The D is still the issue in Oakland and last season they ranked 27th both against the pass and the run.
Raiders AFC West Prediction – The Raiders will not be bad this season, but I do not see them making the playoffs. Just like last season I see them going 8-8.
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