Gearing Up

With the 2012-2013 football season only a week away football is in full force. The AFC West was an extremely tight division last year with the Broncos, Chargers, and Raiders finishing 8-8 and the Chiefs one game back at 7-9. The same is to be expected this football season, so let’s break down each team in the division.

 Let’s start with the Denver Broncos. The biggest headline in the off season for the Broncos along with the rest of the NFL was the acquiring of Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. With Willis McGahee in the backfield as running back this should be a very balanced offense that can throw many weapons at you.  Many are expecting the Broncos to be a big surprise in the NFL this year with a highly active and veteran defense consisting of veteran’s cornerback Champ Bailey and defensive end Justin Bannan this defense could very possibly finish as one of the league's best. The Broncos end their pre-season finale at Arizona before there highly anticipated season opener Sunday September 9th against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Mile High Stadium.

 The rowdy Raiders of Oakland are back and ready to contend for an AFC West title. Quarterback Carson Palmer has been searching and searching for a place to call home. It appears as though he has found it, Palmer will be the Raiders starting quarterback when they face off against the San Diego Chargers in a very key Monday night football division game. The main factor for the Raiders will be waiting to see which defense shows up this year, that may very well determine their season.

 It's always a certain that quarterback Phillip Rivers will have the boys ready for the season. The San Diego Chargers are looking for a complete season. They seem to start off hot every year only to falter down the stretch. This year with the tough division of the AFC West the Chargers cannot falter and still expect to make the playoffs. Head coach Norv Turner will have his hands full this year if he plans to get San Diego back to the playoffs as he did in 2009.

 After an injury plagued 2011 football season the Kansas City Chiefs are back and healthy. This will be the first full year under new head coach Romeo Crennel and hopes are very high in Kansas City. With the dynamic duo of Peyton Hillis and Jamal Charles in the backfield and stand out wide receivers Dwayne Bowe and Jon Baldwin anything is possible for this high powered offense. Having the top defense in the division last year the Chiefs are expecting the same thing in 2012 with a solid defensive line and a very quick and agile secondary. The Chiefs have very high expectations and plan to contend for AFC West bragging rights.