AFC West Primer

Almost there. We head out west for the AFC West today. Tomorrow will be the final division to cover, the NFC West.

Tebow will get playing time in 2010.

Denver Broncos
2009 record: 8-8, 2nd in division
Head coach: Josh McDaniel
Key Additions: DE Akin Ayodele, DE Justin Bannan, DE Jarvis Green, NT Jamal Williams
Key Losses: C Casey Wiegmann, TE Tony Sheffler, LB Andra Davis

1. Tebow?
First of all, if any NFL fan is wondering who's going to get the spotlight from the media if Brett Favre doesn't come back, all you have to do is point to the first round pick from Florida. He had a good game against the Cincinnati Bengals in last night's exhibition. If he's #3 on the depth chart, it's a close #3 and you know there will be packages at Josh McDaniel's disposal to unleash the former Gator.

2. Can the Broncos keep a running back healthy?
Didn't they have this issue last season? It almost makes you wonder why a running back would want to go there. Practice was cancelled over a week ago due to the number of Broncos that were banged up. In McDaniels' offense, the running back is as crucial as a tackle so they must be healthy.

3. Will we see the second-half swoon we've recently witnessed?
Shhhh. They may not want to revisit those, but it does need to be addressed. In '08, one win down the stretch and they were in. The Broncos jumped out to a 6-0 record and the bye week hit...and so did the downfall. Keeping all of that in mind, I don't think that's a part of the new Broncos mindset.

The Broncos still have a ways to go, but they're moving in the right direction. The first six games from last season were a bit of an anomaly.

Signing Jones was an excellent choice by
the Chiefs brass.

Kansas City Chiefs
2209 record: 4-12, 4th in division
Head coach: Todd Haley
Key Additions: RB Thomas Jones, G Ryan Lilja, WR Jerheme Urban, C Casey Wiegmann
Key Losses: WR Bobby Engram, RB Kolby Smith, WR Bobby Wade

1. Are we witnessing the continual building of "New England West"?
In it's full glory. The only things really missing are Brady and Belichick. Well, you have Brady's understudy in QB Matt Cassel. Toss in new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and defensive coordinator Romeo Crenell and the bridge is slowly coming together. I;m not sure I;m a fan of this move, but it does provide for a compelling story.

2. Who will Cassel throw to?
The receiver depth isn't bad. In fact, it's pretty good. The question will be at tight end. Brad Cottam is on the PUP list so the focus could shift to draft pick Tony Moeaki from Iowa. Even then, the experience on the roster at the position is thin with Leonard Pope having the most experience with 5 years.

3. Where must the biggest change need to be made?
The defensive unit. They ranked 30th overall last year. And there's this. No defensive unit spent more time on the field last season than the Chiefs. Of course, the offense could help by sustaining more drives, but I think you get my point here. You also have to have a few stops during a game from the defense.

For the Chiefs to move forward, the running game will be the main thrust this season. Getting RB Thomas Jones was huge in my book.

Campbell isn't Plunkett, but he provides
a professional influence at QB.

Oakland Raiders
2009 record: 5-11, 3rd in division
Head coach: Tom Cable
Key Additions: QB Jason Campbell, DE John Henderson
Key Losses: LB Kirk Morrison

1. Will QB Jason Campbell really be the next Jim Plunkett as Al Davis said?
No, but Campbell provides a major upgrade at the position. I can't emphasize major enough as we all saw former #1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell fall completely off the Raider landscape. Campbell will need a bit of time as once again he's faced with learning another system. I like the move. I take that back. I love the move.

2. Will Darren McFadden finally show that he's the real deal?
He has to. I think his stint in Oaktown may be getting a little short, too. Not all his fault (injuries, poor o-line play), but we've not seen from McFadden in the pros as we did when he was in college. McFadden's success will only enhance the success of the Raider offense. If McFadden can blow holes in the defense, that will open up the passing game for Campbell. Thing is, McFadden does have a little bit of competition from Michael Bush.

3. Who will Campbell have as receivers?
This might be the best question facing Oakland this season. The good news is the Raiders have a nice group of tight ends. Zach Miller showed those outside of the west coast that he really is a receiving threat. Tony Stewart is the veteran presence and they signed John Owens in free agency. The same cannot be said for the receivers. Johnnie Lee Higgins has the most experience with 4 years. It seemed like Raiders QBs counted on Louis Murphy more last season than his stats show. Last year's first round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey proved to be the butt of more jokes than he had receptions. And the Raiders brought in another speedy receiver in drafting Jacoby Ford. No one will catch these guys...if they can ever catch the ball.

The Raiders will play defense. The offense needs to be the focal point.

Mathews should eclipse the 1,000 mark
in 2010...with ease.

San Diego Chargers
2009 record: 13-3, 1st in division
Key Additions: WR Josh Reed, T Tra Thomas, CB Nathan Vasher
Key Losses: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, QB Charlie Whitehurst, NT Jamal Williams, CB Antonio Cromartie

1. Has the window closed on the Chargers?
If it hasn't closed already, it's barely cracked. Barely. Most feel the Bolts will repeat as divisional champs, but to see them make another deep playoff run may be asking too much especially if T Marcus McNeill and WR Vincent Jackson continue to stay away.

2. Will first round pick Ryan Mathews revitalize the running game?
There's a two-part answer here. The second part depends on the first which is getting McNeill back in the fold. Without McNeill, Mathews can still have success, but it won't be as great. There was a reason the Chargers traded up to get this kid. He can flat out run. 1,000 yards should be a given.

3. Can the defense rebound from what looked like a down season?
The issue wasn't as much in the pass defense as it was in stopping the run. The loss of Jamal Williams may hinder that even more. The Chargers may be banking on rookie Cam Thomas to fill the void. That may be risky. Having Shawne Merriman in camp could help if he's committed not only to the organization, but committed to being involved in the run defense. The pass defense may fall off, too, but I think the trading of Cromartie wasn't that bad a deal. He clearly wasn't the Cromartie of a couple of seasons ago.

I enjoy watching these guys play. I hope we're not seeing the beginning of the end.

1. San Diego. It could be a much tighter division than in '09 for the Bolts.
2. Denver. The offense must stay on the field more.
3. Oakland. I wouldn't be shocked with a 2nd place finish this season.
4. Kansas City. The offense looks better. Not so sure about the D.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!! Two More Divisional Playoff Games!!

What would a Sunday be without football, and the NFL will present two more battles on the road to the Lombardi Trophy.

If you missed the peeks at Saturday's games, you can view them here.

NFC: Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings; FOX 1 ET PM (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver, Chris Myers)

Most will watch: Cowboys QB Tony Romo and Vikings QB Brett Favre.
Yet another river to cross for Romo. He's never gotten past the first round before, so this is unchartered waters for Romo. His confidence has never been higher during his short career.

Favre will be looking to exercise his Cowboys playoff demons, as in 0-3 against Dallas in playoff game. But the MVP candidate does have a flair for the dramatic. That might be something for him to put in his hip pocket.

You should watch: the trenches.
Wonder why the Vikings struggled toward the end of the season? They were not winning the battle at the line of scimmage. The O-line really struggled against Carolina and some teams picked up on that. Don't think for a minute that slipped by Wade Phillips either.

Can the O-line protect Favre? You have an All-Pro at guard (Steve Hutchison). Can the D-line get to Romo? You have an All-Pro end (Jared Allen) and tackle (Kevin Williams). Minnesota did lead the NFL in sacks, but seem to possibly tire down the stretch. That excludes the Giants game. The answers to my aforemantioned questions must be "yes" and "yes" for the Vikes to get the win.

But don't forget: Vikings RB Adrian Peterson.
On some level, Peterson seems almost like an afterthought for this game. I know he's a threat on every play. Make no mistake, AD will need to get the workload we're used to seeing out of him. If the Vikes become too dependent on the pass, it will be a long day. One last thing on Peterson, secure the ball. Some habits die hard.

One last thing: Vikings CB Antoine Winfield's health.
He's been nursing a bum foot for most of the season. Minnesota doesn't have anyone else that can stay with the speed of Miles Austin. If Winfield isn't 100%, or even 90%, the passing game for Dallas becomes even more lethal.

Bottom line: All the home teams are favored, but the Vikings are only a slight fave ( 2.5 to -3). It used to be that home field gave you 3 points on a spread. So, if I use my primary math skills, I arrive at the fact that Minnesota is really being considered a very slight dog to even at best. I feel Dallas has so much momentum going into this game. The main thing Dallas needs to be aware of is being overconfident.

Cowboys 24, Vikings 21...Dallas is doing everything right at this point.

AFC: New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers; CBS 4:40 PM ET (Jim Nantz and Phil Simms)

Most will watch: Jets CB Darrelle Revis v. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan says Revis is the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. Outside of those that voted for the award and Packers fans, it's hard to disagree. It's not Revis' domination of other #1 WR that has me intrigued. I'm wondering how Revis will cope with Jackson's size and strength.

You should watch: Chargers TE Antonio Gates.
Exactly who can cover him? Will Ryan have to tweak his defense to account for Gates? S Jim Leonhard (5'8", 186) cannot be singled up on Gates (6'4", 260). Will we see Kerry Rhodes (6'3', 214) on him? Do you use a linebacker? Any way you cut it, Gates presents so many mismatches for the Jets.

Don't forget: Jets RB Shonn Greene.
With the health of Thomas Jones a concern, Greene will have to have even more of an impact than he had last week in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. I'm not sayong he has to have more yards. He has to have more impact, and that includes helping protect that rookie QB Mark Sanchez.

Bottom line: The Chargers are heavily favored, but did they lose some steam having a week off? They had won 11 in a row after starting 2-3. Talk about being on a roll. Hard to imagine Chargers QB Philip Rivers had the season he did without C Nick Hardwick who missed 13 games. The Jets defense, as we all know, is the #1 overall unit, but it's also the best pass defense. The Chargers don't run too well (31st for the regular season). If the Bolts are to win, LT and Darren Sproles must assert themselves and command a presence. Cincinnati's Cedric Benson did bust 100+ yards on them last week.

Bolts 27, Jets 14...unless Mark Sanchez somehow channels his inner Joe Namath.

Monday NFL Week 6 Final and Notes

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Do you believe in the Denver Broncos now? Once again, Denver used a stiffling defense in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit and take a pivotal divisional game against the San Diego Chargers. The loss leaves San Diego 3 1/2 games behind the Broncos in the AFC West. Last year, the Chargers erased a four game deficit to win the division. But this is not the same Denver Broncos of a year ago. Once again, the Broncos were in the national spotlight and managed to deliver a win. Some quick notes.

1. The Broncos defensive unit features eight new starters from the 2008 version, including the NFL's leading sack man, Elvis Dumervil (left). Chargers QB Philip Rivers faced constant pressure in passing situations as Denver accumulated 5 sacks and plenty of hurried pass attempts. The Chargers could only muster one sack and Broncos QB Kyle Orton appeared to have plenty of time while in the pocket. The defense is quickly becoming Denver's calling card, especially in the second half of games. For the season, the Broncos defense has allowed only 10 second points (3 last night and 7 against Cincinnati in week 1).

2. There was possibly one positive for San Diego. RB LaDainian Tomlinson showed glimpses of his former self. LT managed 70 yards on 18 carries and 30 yards on 3 receptions. Rivers had a decent game going 20 of 33 for 274 yards and a TD. For the Broncos, the running game did amass 101 yards, but TE Tony Sheffler provided matchup headaches for the Bolts as he produced 6 catches for 101 yards with a TD. Don't look at Denver as just a defensive team. They can play a little offense, too.

3. But this night belonged to the special teams. Broncos WR Eddie Royal returned a kickoff 93 yards for a TD and a punt 71 yards for a TD. Since the merger, Royal is now 1 of 6 players to return a kickoff and a punt for TD in the same game. One of the other 6 is Chargers Darren Sproles. He also returned a punt for 77 yards and a TD in this game.

4. While I was watching the postgame, a couple of quotes from the analysts rang true. First, coach Jon Gruden. I've ribbed him for his constant referrals to Brett Favre. This week, he provided this: "...the Denver Broncos finish games." And ESPN's Steve Young, also in support of Josh McDaniels and his Patriots pedigree: "...better coached, better prepared...". McDaniels has brought the New England philosophy with him to Denver and it's working wonders for the franchise. But McDaniels summed it up best. In his postgame interview, he delivers what every coach says, but few deliver. "...we haven't done anything yet. We're gonna play every game to win it. That's how we prepare." That quotes sounds like he took it from his old boss.

5. The 50 th anniversary AFL uniforms.

Denver received a lot of "thumbs down" of their home 1960 throwback uniforms. While there was still the look of striped socks last night (left), the away unis are a bit better than the home (right). The yellow stripes on the pants? Ugh. But Broncos Eddie Royal was asked if he liked those socks. "We're 2-0 in 'em." Can't argue with that. The Chargers powder blues are as awesome as always. Until last night, the Chargers had won 9 straight contests in those powder blues.

6. Here's something you may not know. Kyle Orton is a winner. Considering all the controversy that surrounded Orton and Rex Grossman in Chicago and many wouldn't believe it. Orton is merely 27-12 as a starter. Do the math and he was 21-12 at the beginning of the season. To Chicago, Denver thanks you.

The Broncos will be on a bye next week while the Chargers travel to Arrowhead Stadium to battle the Kansas City Chiefs.