If you were like me and you watched your NCAA bracket disintegrate to nothing this weekend then you will welcome a little NFL talk. And today, it is time for you and I to explore the AFC West.

My prediction for this division seems pretty cut and dry - as far as the winner goes anyway - but after that I think it is sort of a crap shoot. Let’s get right to it. Here’s the way I have it.

2008 AFC West Final Standings:

1) San Diego Chargers

2) Denver Broncos

3) Oakland Raiders

4) Kansas City Chiefs

Thoughts:
Last year the Chargers started slow and were pretty inconsistent all year but did enough to get into the playoffs. Once in the playoffs, Phillip Rivers and company found themselves. They were able to take two out of three, making it all the away to the AFC championship game.

This year, with a full year of having Norv Turner calling the shots and Phillip Rivers coming into his own, I don’t think it will be a problem for them to take the division.

The Denver Broncos would seem to be the obvious choice for second - and I will put them there for now - but the Raiders are slowly putting something together. Their defense should be stronger with the additions of DeAngelo Hall and Gibril Wilson to the secondary and they have a solid running game.

The only thing that keeps them out of second is the wildcard at QB, Jamaruc Russell.

The Broncos offense seemed to get better as the season went along and they should be solid again but their defense -especially against the run - won’t be enough to win the division.

The Chiefs are in disarray and will have to show me - and everyone else - a little something the rest of this offseason to start thinking about them as anything else but a team in rebuilding mode.

Fantasy Notes:

A big question at this point is whether or not LaDainian Tomlinson will remain at the top of everyone draft board. As good as he was last year he was pretty inconsistent for my liking. Plus he had his first magor surgery and is getting older.

the Rivers/Chambers connection is very intriguing. After a solid offseason they’re value should be up there.

Look for Cutler to Marshal to be huge combo this year. Great second half last year, Javon Walker who? UPDATE: Brandon Marshal severe’s arteries in arm. The article says he slipped on a McDonalds wrapper but mentions that he has anger managmeent issues….hmmm. Fantasy wise there shouldn’t be a whole lot to worry about considering the article states he should be ready by training camp but it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on the situation if you are keeping an eye on him.

After signing the big contract Justin Fargas looks like he could be the man this year. But don’t forget about Micheal Bush. He should be healthy and ready to compete come training camp. Also, word is that the Raiders are looking to draft a running back. Who ever gets the rock will be sporting some value so keep an eye on the situation. Should be interesting.

Outside of Gonzalas it hard to see much value on the Chiefs. With the bad line and iffy QB, Larry Johnson value isn’t quite what it used to be. In my eyes he is getting dangerously close to a RB2. In fact, if there weren’t so many damn runnig back by committee’s out there, he’d already be there.

Dwayne Bowe was a nice surprise last year but not to consistant.

That does it for the AFC. With that conference behind us, I will take it over to the NFC for my next post.

I will start in the East where it is extremely close to call. Will it be the champs, the boys or will McNabb get it together once again and make a push for the title? See ya in a few days.

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