It is time for the last division preview on "MrNFL's NFL Preview Extravaganza!" Today, we look at the teams of the AFC West, a division considered by many the toughest in football. We will look at the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, and Oakland Raiders.

Tommorow on Maddenoliday, I will put all of the stats I have created together with the actual schedules and with that, we will have the predictions for each division, and the playoffs.

NFC NORTH
NFC SOUTH
NFC EAST
NFC WEST
AFC NORTH
AFC SOUTH
AFC EAST

LET'S START IT UP!










Oakland Raiders

LAST YEAR: Was a lot like the two years before last year, bad. They had a 4-12 record in 2003, and a 5-11 record in 2004. So they followed it up with a 4-12 record in 2005.

Quarterbacks: Aaron Brooks, Marques Tuiasosopo, Andrew Walter.
Aaron Brooks is a decent QB, who has had a few years where the touchdowns were higher than the interceptions. However, he has never completed 60% of his passes. Andrew Walter is stil unproven as a backup, and Tuiasosopo has been terrible when he has played.

QB Score 2/5

Running Backs: Lamont Jordan, Justin Fargas, Zack Crockett, Rod Smart, Zach Tuiasosopo, ReShard Lee, John Paul Foschi.
Jordan's rushing numbers last year were alright, but an under-rated part of his game is the recieving game, as he had more catches than Randy Moss. Zach Crockett is a solid fullback, and Fargas is a decent backup.

RB Score 8/10

Recieving Targets: Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, Carlos Francis, Doug Gabirel, Alvis Whitted, Johnnie Morant, Courtney Anderson, Marcellus Rivers, O.J. Santiago, Randal Williams,
Randy Moss had injury problems last year, however when healthy, he is among the top recievers in football. Porter is upset, and wants a trade. It is very likely that he will not be a Raider and the end of the year. Doug Gabriel had decent numbers last year, however he is still young. Curry showed promise in 2004, however he missed almost all of 2005 with injury. Anderson is a solid recieving tight end.

WR Score 7/10

Offensive Line: Robert Gallery, Langston Walker, Kelvin Garmon, Barry Sims, Brad Badger, Paul McQuistan, Roderick Green, Chris Morris, Adam Treu, Jake Grove, Chad Slaughter, Kevin Boothe.
Gallery and Walker are both solid tackles. Garmon and Sims are solid guards. No one spectactular on this line, but a decent group.

OL Score 7/10

Defensive Line: Derrick Burgess, Warren Sapp, Bobby Hamilton, Tyler Brayton, Lance Johnstone, Michael Quarshie, Terdell Sands, Rashad Moore, Anttaj Hawthorne, Kevin Huntley, Bryant McNeal
Burgess is a great defensive end. Sapp is aging, and not the force he once was, but he is still solid. Hamilton and Johnstone bring veteran leadership to the group.

DL Score 7/10

Linebackers: Robert Thomas, Thomas Howard, Darnell Bing, Danny Clark, Grant Irons, Isaiah Ekejibua, Kirk Morrison, Ryan Riddle, Sam Williams.
Kirk Morrison and Danny Clark put up decent numbers last year. However, this entire group is very young, and very inexperienced. They added Thomas from the Rams, who have under-achieved big time. The rest of these guys have yet to prove a thing.

LB Score 6/10

Defensive backs: Tyrone Poole, Duane Starks, Michael Huff, Stuart Schweigart, Derrick Gibson, Chris Carr, Fabian Washington, Stanford Routt, Nnamdi Asomugha, Jarrod Cooper, Keyon Nash.
They signed two veterans, Poole and Starks, who are both no longer nearly what they used to be in their age. They hope that these vets can help the youngsters Carr and Washington develop. They drafted Huff to play safety, and have two decent yet inconsistant other safeties in Schweigart and Gibson.

DB Score 6/10

Special Teams: Sebastian Janikowski, Shane Lechler, Chris Carr
Janikowski had a terrible year last year, missing 1/3 of his kicks, prompting the Raiders to have two other kickers on the roster. Carr is a decent kick returner.

ST Score 6/10

Coach: Art Shell
When Shell coached the Raiders from 1989 to 1994, he only had one losing season. Altough they never had much success in the postseason. He had success, but this is a new league, so it is almost a new start.

Coach 7/10

FINAL THOUGHTS: This team looks better than last year, but that's not hard to do. If they can develop the young stars, they may be good down the road.

Next...








San Diego Chargers

LAST YEAR: They had a respectable 9-7 season, just falling short of the playoffs.

Quarterbacks: Phillip Rivers, A.J. Feeley, Charlie Whitehurst
Rivers was drafted high, but has yet to prove his NFL skill, as he had been behind Drew Brees for two years. In the 30 passes he has thrown, he has been average. Feeley is not the greatest backup to have, as he is inconsistant, and Whitehurst is a rookie.

QB Score 2/5

Running Backs: LaDainian Tomlinson, Lorenzo Neal, Michael Turner, Darren Sproles, Andrew Pinnock, Ray Perkins, Larry Croom
LDT is easily the most talented running back in football. In his 5 seasons, he has had spectactular numbers each year rushing and recieving. It also doesn't hurt having a great blocking fullback in Neal. Turner did solid while spelling LDT last year, showing his ability.

RB Score 10/10

Recieving Targets: Antonio Gates, Keenan McCardell, Eric Parker, Vincent Jackson, Kassim Osgood, Greg Carmillo, Malcom Floyd, Brandon Manumaleuna, Aaron Shea, Ryan Krause
Gates is an amazing recieving tight end, and they helped him out by adding another solid catching tight end in Manumaleuna, and a good blocking tight end in Shea. At reciever, they have the veteran McCardell, who still can put up solid numbers, however after him is a question. Parker has shown signs of greatness, but is a bit inconsistant. The rest of the guys are unproven.

WR Score 8/10

Offensive Line: Roman Oben, Shane Olieva, Mike Goff, Leander Jordan, Marcus McNeill, Cory Withrow, Jeromey Clark, Cory Lekkerkerker, Kris Dielman, Wes Sims, Jimmy Martin, David Binn
They have three solid veterans with Oben, Goff and Withrow. Olieva is a solid player as well. They drafted McNeill in the 2nd round also to fill roles.

OL Score 8/10

Defensive Line: Jamal Williams, Igor Olshansky, Luis Castillo, Chase Page, Derreck Robinson, Jacques Cesaire.
Jamal Williams is a great defensive tackle. Olshansky and Castillo are both young and have shown promise, however are a bit inconsistant.

DL Score 7/10

Linebackers: Donnie Edwards, Shawne Merriman, Randall Godfrey, Steve Foley, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Carlos Polk, Matt Wilhelm, Shaun Phillips, Marques Harris, Tim Dobbins, Stephen Cooper, Phil Archer.
Godfrey and Edwards are both solid veteran middle linebackers. Merriman had a great rookie season, and looks to have a great future ahead. Steve Foley is a decent veteran linebacker as well. But the rest of the group is very young.

LB Score 8/10

Defensive Backs: Drayton Florence, Quentin Jammer, Antonio Cromarte, Markus Curry, Hanik Milligan, Bhawoh Jue, Terrence Kiel, Andre Lott, Marlon McCree, Jerrell Pippens, Clinton Hart.
They took Cromarte with their first round pick to help out the secondary, along with Jammer and Florence, who are full of potenial, yet a bit inconsistant. At safety they have McCree, who is decent, along with a bunch of guys competing for the other spot. Kiel was alright last year.

DB Score 7/10

Special Teams: Nate Kaeding, Mike Scifres,
Kaeding had a solid year kicking last year, missing only 3 of 24. However, they do not have a proven kick returner, as the usual guy Sproles is on the IR.

ST Score 7/10

Coach: Marty Schottenheimer.
In 20 years as a head coach, Schottenheimer has only had 2 losing seasons. Marty took a bad franchise with the Chargers, and has had success with them in 3 of his 4 years. However, in the postseason, he has failed to have a lot of success.

Coach 9/10

FINAL THOUGHTS: The team has the same good offensive weapons, and an improved defense, and they have a chance for the playoffs.

NEXT...






Kansas City Chiefs

LAST YEAR: They had a good season, finishing 10-6, but however it was not enough to earn a playoff berth.

Quarterbacks: Trent Green, Damon Huard, Jeff Smoker, Brodie Croyle
Trent Green each year seems to put up 4000 yards and solid numbers. He is a smart veteran who won't make many stupid mistakes. They signed veteran Huard as the backup, and he is decent. They also have younsters Smoker and Croyle.

QB Score 3/5

Running backs: Larry Johnson, Priest Holmes (?) Michael Bennett, Quentin Griffin, Ronnie Cruz, Dee Brown, J.R. Niklos, McKenzi Smith.
Johnson had a great season last year, proving that he is a talented running back. However, losing fullback Richardson will hurt this group a lot. Holmes may be forced to retire, but that is in question right now. The backups are two inconsistant guys in Bennett and Griffin.

RB Score 8/10

Receiving Targets: Dante Hall, Eddie Kennison, Tony Gonzalez, Samie Parker, Craphonso Thorpe, Jeff Webb, Jeris McIntyre, Darrell Hill, Jason Dunn, Kris Wilson
Tony Gonzalez is a great recieving tight end, and he has a solid backup in Dunn. Kennison is a solid veteran who typically puts up good numbers each year. However, Hall and Parker have both shown flashes of greatness, but are inconsistant and have yet to constantly put up good numbers.

WR Score 8/10

Offensive Line: Casey Wiegmann, Brian Waters, Will Shields, Jordan Black, Chris Bober, Kyle Turley, Kevin Sampson, Tre Stallings, Will Stivek, Jeremy Parquet, Johnathan Ingram,
Altough they lost Roaf and another starter, they still have a solid line. Wiegmann is a good center, and Waters and Shields are both great guards. However the open tackle spots are a concern between the inconsistant Jordan Black, and the often injured Kyle Turley. The rest of the backups are unproven guys.

OL Score 8/10

Defensive Line: Jared Allen, Tamba Hali, Ryan Sims, Lionel Dalton, Carlos Hall, Eric Hicks, Junior Siavii, John Browning, Shane Burton, James Reed, Ron Edwards, Zach Vile, Clint Mitchell.
Jared Allen had a great breakout year last year. They also added the rookie Hali to have a 1-2 punch at defensive end. They have some solid veterans at defensive tackle as well.

DL Score 8/10

Linebackers: Kendrell Bell, Kris Griffin, Kawika Mitchell, Keyaron Fox, Derrick Johnson, Boomer Grigsby, Rich Scanlon.
Kendrell Bell has under-achieved, and has failed to do in KC what he did in Pittsburgh. Johnson had a good rookie year, but he is still very young and inexperienced, as well as the rest of this group.

LB Score 6/10

Defensive Backs: Ty Law, Patrick Surtain, Lenny Walls, Chris Johnson, Alphonso Hodge, Marcus Maxey, Benny Sapp, William Bartee, Sammy Knight, Greg Wesley, Bernard Pollard, Jarrad Page.
They added Ty Law, who had a great season last year with the Jets. Along with a solid Surtain, and a young Walls, they have a good group of corners. At safety they have 3 solid guys in Sammy Knight, Greg Wesley, and William Bartee. This is a very good secondary.

DB Score 9/10

Special Teams: Lawrence Tynes, Dustin Colquitt, Dante Hall.
Tynes had a solid season last year and looks to be a good kicker. Dante Hall is a great kick returner, and is always a threat to return one long.

ST Score 9/10

Coach: Herm Edwards
Edwards' 5 years with the Jets were very up and down. They had 3 winning seasons and 3 playoff years, and they also had 2 horrible years.

Coach 7/10

FINAL THOUGHTS: This team looks to be improved on defense, however weakness at linebacker may hold them down. And will the loss of Roaf and Richardson destroy a great running game?

Finally...









Denver Broncos

LAST YEAR: They had a great regular season, finishing 13-3 and with the division title. They got to the AFC Championship game only to fall just short of the Super Bowl as they were defeated by the Steelers.

Quarterbacks: Jake Plummer, Bradlee Van Pelt, Jay Cutler, Preston Parsons
Plummer since coming to the Broncos has had a lot of success, cutting down the interception problem in 2 of 3 years, by only having 7 in both of those years. He has turned into a great QB. However, his backups are two unproven youngsters in Van Pelt and Cutler

QB Score 3/5

Running backs: Tatum Bell, Mike Bell, Ron Dayne, Kyle Johnson, Damien Nash, Cecil Sapp, Brandon Miree, Cedric Cobbs.
Tatum Bell had great success in limited time last year, averaging over 5 yards a carry. The forgotten power back Dayne also had some success. Altough the starter is listed as the undrafted rookie Mike Bell. Kyle Johnson is a solid fullback. Whoever has the job will probably do well, they always do with the Broncos.

RB Score 8/10

Recieving Targets: Rod Smith, Javon Walker, Ashley Leile, David Terrell, Brandon Marshall, Darius Watts, Charlie Adams, David Kircus, Stephen Alexander, Tony Scheffler, Domenik Hixon.
Rod Smith is a forgotten player, but he always puts up good numbers each year. Javon Walker had success for one year in Green Bay, but is coming off of a major injury. Lelie wants to be traded. They also now have a bit of a question at tight end, as the average Alexander looks to start, but compete with the rookie Scheffler.

WR Score 8/10

Offensive Line: Tom Nalen, Matt Lepsis, Cooper Carlisle, Ben Hamilton, Dwayne Carswell, George Foster, Adam Meadows, Cornell Green, Greg Eslinger, Martin Bibla, Chris Kuper.
Nalen is a great center, and Carlisle and Hamilton are solid guards. Lepsis is a good tackle, and the same goes for Foster. They now have Meadows, who was once good, but injury caused him to sit the last few years.

OL Score 9/10

Defensive Line: Gerrard Warren,Kenard Lang, Courtney Brown, Ebenzer Ekuban, Elvis Dumervil, John Engelberger,Amon Gordon,Corey Jackson, Chukie Nwokorie, Michael Myers, Demtrian Veal
Losing Pryce will hurt his line, comprised of many inconsistant guys. Warren is a solid tackle, and they drafted Dumervil. Lang is alright, and Brown is always injured. Engleberger, Gordon, and Myers are all inconsistant guys.

DL Score 7/10

Linebackers: Al Wilson, D.J. Williams, Nate Webster, Ian Gold, Keith Burns, Patrick Chukwurah, Ray Williams, Louis Green, T.J. Holowell.
Al Wilson is one of the best linebackers in football in the middle, and they also have two good speedy outside backers in Williams and Gold. Webster and Burns are both solid veteran backups.

LB Score 9/10

Defensive backs: Champ Bailey, Willie Middlebrooks, Dominique Foxworth, Roc Alexander, John Lynch, Nick Ferguson, Sam Brandon, Darrent Williams, Karl Paymah, Jeff Shoate, Curome Cox.
Champ Bailey is possibly the best cornerback in all of football. They also have a great group of safeties with the veterans Lynch and Ferguson, along with Brandon. However, the rest of the cornerbacks are younger, unproven guys.

DB Score 9/10

Special Teams: Jason Elam, Micah Knorr, Mike Bell
Elam struggled a bit last year, missing 1/4th of his kick. They also have a suspended punter, which is hilarious. They also don't have a proven returner.

ST Score 6/10

Coach: Mike Shanahan
In all of Shanahans time in Denver, they have only one losing season. He has two Super Bowl rings also to his credit.

Coach 10/10

FINAL THOUGHTS: The Broncos look to be one of the better teams in the AFC, and could be a contender. However, will the defensive line and special team weaknesses ultimately cost them?

I would like to thank everyone who has read, commented, and enjoyed these previews. Tommorow on Maddenoliday, I will put all of these stats together with my system and the schedules, and we will determine who will finish where.

THATS ALL I GOT.

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