NFL: AFC West 2006 Predictions

The AFC West has always been a tough division, and very competitive. This year will prove to be no different.

Last year's division champ, the Denver Broncos, look to be a strong contender again this year. Jake Plummer came off one of his best playing years to date, and if he continues, the Broncos will be hard to beat.  Also new on the roster in the quarterback postion is Jay Cutler. Assumed to be Plummer's successor, Cutler is much hyped, with the talent to back it up. Currently fighting for the number 2 position behind Plummer, he is likely to take that spot over Bradley Van Pelt. You do have to wonder if the efforts that the Broncos made to acquire Cutler might give Plummer a pause.

There is a good bit of stability in the Broncos roster, as a lot of long time team mates are still there (for that all important "chemistry"). The Broncos are the only AFC West team that has not replaced either the quarterback or head coach.

And with depth in the running back position, the Broncos have a lot of weapons. Special teams are the focus of the preseason this year, with punt and kickoff returns getting a lot of attention. This was Denver's poorest area in 2005. If all goes well for the 

Broncos, I predict a division win, and an overall record of 11-5.

The Kansas City Chiefs are fading a bit. In 2004, they looked unstoppable, and then disintegrated. In 2005, they played well at first, then faded and failed to make the playoffs. Offense is always the Chiefs' strong point, but with the loss of Al Saunders, you hope that his assistants that remained can keep the offense jumping. New head coach Herm Edwards may be the boost that the Chiefs need this year to keep going full steam through the whole season without fading. This will be the most interesting development to watch with the team under Edwards' hand.  The move to have Larry Johnson become the full time running back, and Trent Green as starting QB certainly will help as well.

Success for the Chiefs is really dependent on their defense. If Edwards can craft a better defense, then we can look forward to the Chiefs making a brief run for the division. 

I predict the Chiefs to have a 9-7 season.