Updating Around the AFC West
It’s been an interesting couple of weeks in the AFC West. I may be overly optimistic, but the Chiefs have a real chance to make a run for the division title. After their 0-3 start, who would have believed that?
But first, how about the Raiders going out and trading for Carson Palmer? A very interesting move.
My take? Palmer is a decent quarterback who probably has a couple years left in him. Quarterbacks, even veteran quarterbacks, seldom excel in their first season with a new team. And that’s when they have an entire off-season and preseason to prepare. In 1993, Joe Montana took the Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game, but did so mostly on the back of an outstanding defense. And in 2009, Brett Favre took the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game and posted a quarterback rating of 107.2. A very impressive season late in his career. But do you want to know what’s more common? Last year the Washington Redskins traded for Donovan McNabb who played poorly and finished with a quarterback rating of 77.1. The only season he had with a worse rating? His rookie year in 1999 where he posted a rating of 60.1. Carson Palmer isn’t Brett Favre. Heck, he isn’t even Donovan McNabb. He’s a mediocre quarterback who enjoyed his best seasons in 2005 and 2006. The Raiders made a bold move, but probably not a smart move. If they end up winning the division and making a run in the playoffs, then it was a fine move. If not, they’ve given up two very high draft picks and have hurt the long-term development of their team.
Now let’s look around the standings in the AFC West.
San Diego Chargers (4-2): The Chargers have beaten Minnesota (1-6), Kansas City (3-3), Miami (0-6) and Denver (2-4). They’ve lost to New England (5-1) and the New York Jets (4-3).
Reasons for optimism: The Chargers have managed to start fast, but that’s been more the result of the teams they’ve played, than how they’ve played. They still have a lot of talent. Ryan Matthews appears to be a legitimate starting running back.
Reasons for pessimism: Antonio Gates has played little this season. Their schedule is going to get much tougher. And Norv Turner is still their coach.
Prediction: Their schedule is going to get much tougher. And they’re going to need to play much better. I have a difficult time finding more than 5 wins on their remaining schedule. I think they end up 9-7, which is right around the record most of Norv Turner’s teams end up. A huge disappointment again for the Chargers.
Oakland Raiders (4-3): The Raiders have beaten Denver (2-4), New York Jets (4-3), Houston (4-3) and Cleveland (3-3). They’ve lost to Kansas City (3-3), Buffalo (4-2) and New England (5-1).
Reasons for optimism: Darren McFadden is a stud, and the Raiders are second in the league in rushing. They’ve been the most impressive team in the division so far until this last weekend, and are a legitimate playoff contender. Or should I say, they were a playoff contender.
Reasons for pessimism: The Raiders are ranked #28 in the league in total defense, and are particularly vulnerable against the pass where they’re ranked #30 in the league. Quarterback Jason Campbell was having a decent season before breaking his collarbone last week. It will be a big question as to how Carson Palmer will respond to his new surroundings. I don’t see any reason to think that the team will be better with Palmer than they were with Campbell. And it’s likely that they’ll be worse. (Ranking still from last week.)
Prediction: The Raiders have shot to win this division, but it’s difficult to see five wins on their remaining schedule. Carson Palmer will have to play better than he played last year for the Bengals. I’m guessing they end up 8-8, though it would not shock me to see this team implode and finish 6-10.
Kansas City Chiefs (3-3): The Chiefs have beaten Oakland (4-3), Minnesota (1-6) and Indianapolis (0-7). And they’ve lost to Buffalo (4-2), Detroit (5-1) and San Diego (4-1).
Reasons for optimism: After two historically bad losses, the Chiefs appear to have righted the ship. With the win in Oakland, they’re sitting at 3-3, which is exactly where I had them (though I had them beating Buffalo and losing to Oakland to reach 3-3). If Jackie Battle can provide the Chiefs with a consistent ground attack, they’re going to be OK.
Reasons for pessimism: They’re still missing Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki for the season. And they’ve got a tough schedule ahead.
Prediction: Believe it or not, a win this weekend would put the Chiefs in a good position to win the AFC West. They would have their two toughest divisional games behind them with a 1-1 record. That leaves them two games against Denver, and home games against San Diego and Oakland. I think they’ve got 5 or 6 more wins in them this season, which puts them at 7-9 or 8-8. My original prediction of 9-7 looks difficult.
Denver Broncos (2-4): Denver has beaten Miami (0-6) and Cincinnati (4-2). They’ve lost to Oakland (4-3), Tennessee (3-3), Green Bay (7-0) and San Diego (4-2).
Reasons for optimism: John Fox is in his first year with the team, and he’s a good coach. He just didn’t have a lot to work with. Their schedule does get a bit easier.
Reasons for pessimism: Lots of them, including that they just traded away their best wide receiver. I’m not a Tim Tebow hater, and I have no clue if he’s going to be a good quarterback or not. History has shown us that quarterbacks with bad mechanics seldom have sustained success in the league. But Tebow is a high-character guy and an incredible athlete. He will make it interesting to say the least.
Prediction: Hard to see more than a couple wins left on their schedule. I’m guessing 4-12.
Author Bio: Lee Eldridge is a writer, musician and marketing consultant with more than 20 years experience in customized promotional items. Lee writes for several blogs, and has launched a new site focusing on drink coasters, personalized matches and personalized cocktail napkins.
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