Leach's Lists: 2013 NFL Team Preview Capsules-AFC West
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As football fans can literally taste opening weekend of the NFL, I am going to run through all 32 teams and eight divisions to get you even more ramped up. I will take a look at who I think is going to win each division, who the surprises will be, and the best futures values for 2013. Let's continue with the AFC West.
DENVER BRONCOS (2012 13-3 WON AFC WEST- LOST IN AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF)
The Broncos may have just lost all-pro center Dan Koppen, but are still the faves to win it all in 2013. The Broncos got a major boost to their offense when they signed WR Wes Welker away from the Pats. Now, with Peyton Manning in his second year with the offense, and with as well as he played in his first, this could be a scary offensive season for Denver.
The defense, led by LB Von Miller and CB Champ Bailey, is one of the best in the NFL and head coach John Fox been excellent since taking over the team in 2011. The one thing missing has been a trip to the Super Bowl and the team is poised this year to knock that off the list.
(Futures value scale 1-10)
-ODDS TO WIN AFC WEST -500 4
-ODDS TO WIN AFC +200 6.8
-ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL +450 7
-OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL 11.5
DTM BOTTOM LINE- The Broncos are stacked in all directions and have the advantage of playing in one of the NFL's worst divisions. Look for Denver to win the AFC West going away and are one of my five teams that have the best chance to hoist the Lombardi trophy. PREDICTION 11-5 AFC WEST CHAMPS
SAN DIGEO CHARGERS (2012 7-9 SECOND PLACE AFC WEST-MISSED PLAYOFFS)
The Saint Diego Chargers come into 2013 with a lot to prove and after a truly disappointing 2012, a new coach in Mike McCoy, and a good draft, the anticipation is building for a franchise that has missed the playoffs for the last three years. The Chargers did a good job in the draft addressing some of their most important needs and have a player in Manti Te'o who could end up having a huge impact.
This is likely the last chance for QB Phillip "Little Rivers" Band to prove he is the guy to lead the Chargers. Rivers hasn't been terrible by any stretch, but his inability to get the Chargers to the playoffs since 2009 and his inconsistent play under center has left a lot to be desired.
(Futures value scale 1-10)
-ODDS TO WIN AFC WEST +250 5.5
-ODDS TO WIN AFC +1300 6
-ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL +3000 5
-OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL 8.5
DTM BOTTOM LINE- The Chargers will create some excitement early and there is a small possibility this is even a playoff team. In the end though they just won't have enough to compete at the highest level. PREDICTION 8-8
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2012 2-14 FOURTH PLACE AFC SOUTH- MISSED PLAYOFFS- WORST RECORD IN NFL)
Well, it could not get much worse than the Chiefs 2012, so there is nowhere to go but up. I like the Chiefs pick of OT Eric Fisher overall number one and he is going to be a stalwart on that line for years to come. The issue though? The Chiefs don't have much offense even with the signing of free agent QB Alex Smith. I see a lot of growing pains for this team, but it would be hard pressed for them to at least not improve on their win total from 2012.
The defense is where the Chefs could see a tremendous amount of improvement. They have one of the most underrated secondary's in the league, and the front seven will create a ton of pressure. New head coach Andy Reid is simply one of the best in the game, but I think it's even going to take him a little time before he has this team contending for a postseason berth.
(Futures value scale 1-10)
-ODDS TO WIN AFC WEST +900 5
-ODDS TO WIN AFC +2500 4
-ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL +6000 2.5
-OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL 7
DTM BOTTOM LINE- Andy Reid on the sidelines will fire up the fan base and will even help the Chiefs win some games they would not have last year, but this team still has a long way to go and QB Alex Smith is going to struggle with the new offense at first which will keep K.C out of contention. PREDICTION 7-9
OAKLAND RAIDERS (2012 4-12 THIRD PLACE AFC WEST- MISSED PLAYOFFS)
Is this finally the year for the Raiiiiiderssss? No, but they will definitely be improved on their four win total from a season ago. The Raiders are one of the biggest enigma's in recent NFL history and seem to always make the worst decisions in-game at the worst times. Now with new QB Matt Flynn at the helm, the Raiders feel the offense can stop being a liability and actually score points this season. The issue is Flynn could not be any more untested and there is a lot of pressure on him to succeed with literally no track record.
The Raiders D has some talent, but many more question marks than answers, and as great as Chuck Woodson is, he is aging and there is no way to know just how much he can give this team in his twilight. The D Line has a chance to be good, but will be asking a lot out of some players that have not played together before. One thing I can say is the Raiders had the most sensical draft I can remember and top two picks D.J Hayden and Menelik Watson could make an impact right away.
(Futures value scale 1-10)
-ODDS TO WIN AFC WEST +1500 2.5
-ODDS TO WIN AFC +9000 1.5
-ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL +20000 .5
-OVER/UNDER WIN TOTAL 5.5
DTM BOTTOM LINE- The Raiders will improve on their four win 2012, but not much else. There is a lot of youth in Oakland that shows the future is bright, but it will be at least a couple years before the Raiders can even think about the postseason. PREDICTION 6-11
