The new NFL season gets under way on Thursday night, when the Seattle Seahawks host Green Bay at CenturyLink Field. We’ll have live, game-by-game coverage of that one but on Wednesday, our division-by-divison previews concern the AFC – here, the AFC West. On Thursday we’ll run down the teams in the NFC.
Teams listed in order of projected finish. Projected division winners, wild cards and Championship game contestants follow team-by-team rundown.
1) Denver Broncos
Last season: 13-3
It will be hard for Peyton Manning to match last season’s record-breaking efforts, but equally it is hard to imagine his team being anything other than a serious contender once again in the AFC.
The Broncos have lost Eric Decker on offense and must have some concerns over Wes Welker’s long-term health after yet another concussion in preseason – not to mention his four-game doping ban. But they still have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time under center, and have made significant upgrades on defense, with Aqib Talib replacing Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at corner and Demarcus Ware coming in to play opposite Von Miller – now fully recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament – at defensive end.
2) San Diego Chargers
Last season: 9-7
The Chargers finished 2013 strongly, winning five of their last six regular-season games to snatch a playoff berth, before toppling Cincinnati in the wild card round. They hope to maintain the momentum from that late charge even as they shift towards greater use of a no-huddle offense under new coordinator Frank Reich.
Early indications are encouraging, as is the arrival on defense of Brandon Flowers from division rival Kansas City. The cornerback declared himself this summer to be the best in the league at his position. In a division featuring Peyton Manning, he can certainly expect plenty of opportunities to back his words up with actions
3) Kansas City Chiefs
Last season: 11-5
In contrast to San Diego, the Chiefs started brilliantly last season before collapsing down the stretch. Their loss of form coincided with a sharp decrease in production from a previously prolific pass rush, so it was no surprise to see Kansas City spend a first-round pick on the Auburn defensive end Dee Ford.
But the departures of Branden Albert and Brandon Flowers – both Pro Bowlers last year – hurt, as does that of starting right guard Geoff Schwartz. This team will remain competitive, but the Chiefs overachieved last year, and a return to the postseason is far from guaranteed.
4) Oakland Raiders
Last season: 4-12
Since 2003, the Raiders have never finished higher than third in the AFC West. Their prospects of breaking that cycle this year rest squarely on the shoulders of rookie quarterback Derek Carr, a second-round pick who surprised many people by winning the starters’ job ahead of Matt Schaub.
Carr has been impressive in preseason, throwing three touchdowns against the Seahawks, two of those while Seattle’s vaunted starting defense was still on the field. Can he repeat such feats once the real games get underway? It is asking a lot of a rookie signal caller on a team which has undergone heavy roster turnover.
Playoff permutations
Division winners: New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
AFC wild cards: Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers
AFC Championship Game: Indianapolis Colts over New England Patriots
Check back tomorrow for our Super Bowl pick.
