We will be covering the entire off season for each team and giving you a preview of the upcoming 2009 season with updates from now through kickoff of Week 1 of the NFL 2009\/10 Season.<\/p>\n
Aside from the Chargers’ fate, the NFL odds in the AFC West look tougher to predict than the apocalypse this season. It seems the Chiefs are headed in the right direction, but are they ready to make the next leap without Tony Gonzalez? The Broncos went from team on the rise to laughing stock this offseason and the Raiders are a perennial laughing stock.<\/p>\n
No matter what happens in the West, we can at least say this motley crew of teams should entertain us when they play each other.<\/p>\n
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS<\/strong><\/p>\n Odds to win the AFC West: -750<\/strong><\/p>\n Whoa. That money line looks like Roger Federer’s <\/span>Wimbledon odds<\/span>. I can’t remember the last time a team was so heavily favored to win its division, but the odds are a testament to (a) The Chargers’ talent and (b) the serious lack of talent among their competition. We know what the offense can do; Phillip Rivers may be the most underrated quarterback in the NFL, as he led the league in passer rating and touchdown passes but got the Pro Bowl snub last season. His arsenal is dangerous as ever, especially with towering Vincent Jackson emerging as a legit No. 1 receiver. The Chargers – and many fantasy football fans – were down on LaDainian Tomlinson in 2008 as he hobbled through the season and lost carries to Darren Sproles, but don’t be surprised if LT2 bounces back for at least one more powerhouse season.<\/span><\/p>\n The question mark for the Chargers is defense; they allowed roughly four more points per game in ’08 than ’07, largely because Shawne Merriman’s injury set off a chain reaction that reduced quarterback pressure and led to fewer forced turnovers. With Lights Out Merriman supposedly healthy, the Chargers should bounce back and cruise to the AFC West title.<\/span><\/p>\n DENVER BRONCOS<\/strong><\/p>\n Odds to win the AFC West: +700<\/strong><\/p>\n If someone asked you to dream up the worst possible offseason for an NFL team, could your made-up version possibly top the dismantling of the Denver Broncos? Denver said goodbye to legendary head coach Mike Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls with them and posted a .610 win percentage. In turn, they’ve likely said to goodbye to an effective running game too.<\/span><\/p>\n The biggest disaster for Denver, of course, was losing Jay Cutler after the falling out with new head coach Josh McDaniels. They shipped the budding star quarterback to Chicago and it was the type of deal that favored the other team no matter what Denver got in return. Kyle Orton isn’t the answer, especially with top target Brandon Marshall demanding a trade.<\/span><\/p>\n