Are you ready for some football...

I am here to finally give Widukind a break from running this blog, now that I can post on something relevant, important, and endearing. Yes, I am talking about football season, and I will preview each of the 8 division over the next few weeks, with predictions, money lines, betting reccomendations, and finally a playoff preview. I wanted to start with the (Gay)FC, or the conference with better teams (lets be honest), but less support here on the blog, and what better place to start than the best coast, so without further ado, I bring you the 2007 Hungryfortacos AFC West Preview.

AFC West
Let's be honest, this is a very strong conference, save for one team, but I expect it to pan out how it has in recent years.

1. San Diego Super Chargers
Despite new uniforms that look kinda ghey (honestly does every team really need to change their jereseys) I expect the Chargers to play at a high level this year, but to not come close to the success they achieved in past years.
What to Like: Philip Rivers has gotten a year under his belt, and after a year of solid yet unspectacular play, he has proven to be an efficient manager of games and a quality NFL QB. LT can only be derailed by injury, but expect his production to come down from last year, given the fact that he had one of the most spectacular years in football history. The team ranked 4th in total offense this past year, and lost very little. Antonio Gates should have another 1000 yard and 8 TD season. They lost very little personnel on the field, this offseason, and should be very prepared for the season ahead of them. Their defense is strong as well, with their rushing and passing defense both ranking in the top 15.
What Not To Like I was never a fan of Marty Schottenheimer, but I am much less of a fan of Norv Turner as a head coach. Basically you are replacing one coach with a reputation for being unable to win the big game despite being a great seasonal coach, with one known for bring a mediocre head coach, and unable to win the big game. I feel that will cost them at least two games this year, possibly three. Also, looking at their schedule, they have around 9 games I would classify as tough games to win, so their schedule will not favor them as well. The defense lost one of its leaders: Donnie Edwards, and the offense lost one as well: Keenan McCardell. Their receiving corps remains weak, and with Eric Parker injured already, it does not bode well for the long run.
Betting Lines: 6/1 to win the Super Bowl, 7/2 to win the AFC, 2/3 to win the division.
Final Outlook: Barring any injuries or any other unforseen occurances, this without a doubt is a playoff team with loads of talent. They should be able to beat the teams they should beat, and should be able to compete with anyone. Their schedule really is tough with games against the Colts, Patriots, Bears, @ Jaguars, @ KC and Denver, and Baltimore. If there at or anywhere above 4-2 going into their bye, they could compete for the AFC top playoff spots. I think realistically they'll finish anywhere between 10-6 and 13-3, definatly enough for the top spot in the West.

2. Denver Broncos
Another good football team, they just missed out on the playoffs last year courtesy of the Niners, but should come back strong, despite losing some key players.
What's To Like: The biggest thing to like is Mike Shanahan, one of the premier coaches of this league, and a guy who will have a quality football team pretty much no matter what. Jay Cutler enters his second season looking like a potential baller, and if they get quality play from him, this team could give the Chargers a slight challenge for the AFC West throne. The rushing attack will be potent no matter who plays there, considering the success of past years, and the offense should be much better than their bottom half finish of last year. The addition of Brandon Stokely should greatly aid Cutler, and with Javon Walker getting another year on his surgically repared knee, the passing attack should be stronger. However, whats most to like about the Broncos is the attention paid to the defense this offseason. The additions of Dre Bly, Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, and Dan Wilkinson should help out a defense that finished in the middle of the league last year. Champ Bailey continues to play at a level that is unmatched by any other defensive back in the league, and that should continue this year. Its gonna be hard to throw on these guys with Bly, Bailey, and guys like Ian Gold and DJ Williams at LB, both of whom are strong pass defenders.
What's Not To Like:Another year, another controversy at the RB postion for the Broncos. While it seems certain that they will find 1000 yards from someone, none of the running backs on the roster (Travis Henry, Mike Bell) instill that much confidence. Cutler is still young and prone to mistakes despite his cannon of an arm, and their receiveing corps remains unthreatening despite having been strengthened. Also, age at some positions seems to be creeping around; Rod Smith is probably receiving social security, Bailey is getting older, Lynch is on his last legs, and members of their offensive line are getting into double digits for seasons played. Also, I really feel the loss of Al Wilson is gonna hurt the attitude of this defense, no matter what they say. Also, its kind of hard not to feel that the Broncos are not a very unlucky team. The Darrent Williams incident was a tragedy as well as the loss of Sapp, the running back who also died this offseason, and these two incidents, I don't know how to put it, make the team seem sort of cursed, for lack of a better word.
Betting Lines: 20/1 to win the Super Bowl, 12/1 to win the AFC, and 7/5 to win the West.
Final Outlook: The Broncos are a team who could easily contest for a wild card berth this season. Despite strengthening their team this offseason, a good number of question marks remain, and like all the other teams in the West this season, they face a very difficult schedule. The loss of two members of the team could give the team something to play for and to rally around, but I can't see this team giving the Chargers too much of a push in the west. They will likely finish anywhere between 8-8 and 10-6 and competing for a playoff spot.

3. Kansas City Chiefs
This team lives and dies with Larry Johnson, who will need to essentially carry them into the playoffs if this team is going anywhere this year. Their biggest advantage might be their homefield advantage, which will win them around 2 games a year.
What's To Like: Larry Johnson is one of the elite running backs in football, and seems like a good bet for at least 1200 yards and 12 touchdowns. They still have Tony Gonzales, a top playmaker still, and Dwyane Bowe should help a passing attack that consistently can be labled as pretty anemic. Herm Edwards is known as being a great defensive coach, so expect him to get the most from his defensive players. The addition of Brodie Croyle will create some competition at the QB position, hopefully inspiring Damon Huard to up his level of play, as obviously he will need to play well if the Chiefs are hoping to do anything this year. The team is well coached, so they should be able to beat the teams they should beat.
What's Not To Like: Actually for me, there's a lot here. First off, neither Croyle nor Huard are proven NFL starting QB's and the team is a few bad games away from an out-and-out QB controversy and the need almost to rebuild around Larry Johnson. Larry Johnson carried the ball 400+ times last year, and it seems that with that amount of carries, and injury is inevitable. That would be catastrophic to this ballclub. Their OL which has been a model of success in past years is old, and has lost its two best members, Willie Roaf and Will Shields, and the rushing attack will definately decline with the loss of these two players. Also, age remains an issue and it surely will rear its ugly head, as Gonzales, LG Brian Waters, WR Eddie Kennison, and CB's Ty Law and Patrick Surtain all enter the twilight of their NFL careers. Also, suspension to Jared Allen for the first two games of the season will hurt.
Betting Lines: 55/1 to win the Super Bowl, 30/1 to win the AFC, and 10/1 to win their division.
Final Outlook: The Chiefs are a team that seems on a precipice this season. Age, potential injuries, and a lack of depth will surely reveal themselves over the course of the season. This is a team I can see having a very tough time winning a lot of games this year, and possibly entering a rebuilding stage for the franchise. The tough schedule won't help either. I seem them finishing 5-11 to 7-9, with a top 10 draft pick likely, and change this offseason.

4. Oakland Raiders
Yuck
What's to Like: Very, very little. JaMarcus Russel has pro skills and could be a very good QB in this league. They have a strong platoon at running back with both LaMont Jordan and Dominic Rhodes. The defense ranked #1 against the pass, and Nandi Asomugah is gonna be a star, and I like the adddition of Donovan Darius, who I still feel has some juice in his legs. Also, Lane Kiffen cannot possibly be any worse than Art Shell was, so the team shouldn't be quite so anemic. Maybe.
What's Not To Like: Almost everything. Russel hasn't showed up yet so he will not be ready to start for a little while, meaning Daunte Culpepper, Andrew Walter, and Josh McCown are competing for a starting spot. Jordan rushed for less than 4.0 yards per carry last year, and Rhodes is missing the first 4 games through suspension. The WR corps has been weakened by the loss of Moss, and its not like they were doing anything special in the first place. Their offensive line is a joke, Robert Gallery is the best player on this line and that is shocking. Defensively, they were #1 against the pass because they were so awful against the run, and that really hasn't been dealt with this offseason. They are getting old, they have bad players, bad discipline, and last year were poorly coached, so there really is little hope for the radiers this year.
Betting Lines (for a laugh): 75/1 to win the Super Bowl, 35/1 to win the AFC, and 10/1 to win the West. Should be 1,000, 500, 250.
Outlook: Honest and brief: this team will be a top 5 draft pick team next year, with many holes to fill. I can't see them finishing better than 4-12. Yikes

Check back next for the AFC North or South, I haven't decided which yet, but they will probably take a while.