The AFC west should be closely contested as no team has really distanced
itself from the pack. A 9-7 record may take the division and earn a home
playoff game.
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The San Diego Chargers
have NFL odds of -333 to win the AFC West. The Chargers are lead by Philip Rivers
who has blossomed into an elite NFL Quarterback. One of the things that helped
his development was the presence of former league MVP LaDanian Tomlinson who
was allowed to leave via free agency to the Jets.
Now the Chargers will
have to find rushing yards with second year man Ryan Matthews and all purpose
back Darren Sproles. Sproles is explosive in the return game and screen passes
as well. The Chargers are also dealing with the holdout of their leading
receiver last year, Vincent Jackson. Replacing his production could be easier
than done.
The Chargers were 1-3 in
the preseason and even though that is not a reason to panic, the Chargers and
their fans are hopeful for a much better showing this season. They are still
the favorites but the gap has closed between the Chargers and the rest of the
division. San Diego's
defense also took a hit, losing all-pro Antonio Cromartie in a trade with the
Jets.
The Denver Broncos started the season 5-0 last
year only to collapse and miss the playoffs on the last game of the season. Denver went 1-3 in the
preseason as well.
The Broncos traded
mercurial star Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins, which leaves some fans
wondering where the offense is going to come from. The Starting QB is Kyle
Orton who was not spectaculr but steady for the Broncos last year.
The Broncos will have
Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal as the starting wide receivers. Knowshown Moreno
is the starting running back and was impressive last year, notching 947 yards
as a rookie. Denver's
defense is also solid and will probably win games for the Broncos this season.
The Kansas City Chiefs, with a new coach and
quarterback last year, struggled through the season finishing 2-14. however
lost in that record is the fact that the Chiefs played a lot of teams tough
last season. The Chiefs are still long
shots to win the AFC west, with an NFL Betting line of +700. The Chiefs were also 1-3 in
the preseason, but did not allow an opponent to go over 20 points in any of the
games.
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Matt Cassel is the
Chiefs starting quarterback, and the focal point of Todd Haley's pass-oriented
attack. Jamaal Charles was probably the most unheralded 1000-yard risher the
NFL has seen in a while. The Chiefs were actually 11th in the league. Expect
the Chiefs to play teams tough again and Cassel
to become more comfortable in the offense.
The Oakland Raiders were better last year, with
an emerging defense that was 7th in the league against the pass. The Raiders
were 3-1 in the preseason, defeating the Cowboys, Bears, and Seahwawks.
Oakland has long odds on winning the AFC west, -600, but if any
team will push the Chargers this year, it will most likely be the Raiders.
Jason Campbell came over from the Redskins to be the starter in Oakland. Campbell
was not flashy in Washington
but was a good game manager who did not make many mistakes.
The Raiders have a good
run game led by Michael Bush, and fast wideouts in Darius Heyward-Bey and Louis
Murphy. The defense is anchored by the All-Pro cornerback Nmandi Asomugha.
Who is your pick to win the AFC West? Do you think Chargers will win
again or will another team take the title this year? Represent on the SBR NFL Forum.