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AFC West Predicted Finish 1. Denver Broncos- After the 1999 6-10 fall from grace, these Broncos are ready to go back to the Super Bowl. Brian Griese proved last season that he can be a big-time starter in the NFL and barring injuries, will thrive in Mike Shanahan's offense again. The most intriguing question is, of course, who will win the starting position at running back? Terrell Davis will get the first shot to resume his 2,008 yard performance in '98, but Mike Anderson has something to say about that after a 1,487 yard, 15 touchdown performance last season, and don't forget about Olandis Gary and his 1,159 yards from 1999. Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith return after 100 catch seasons and welcome speedster Eddie Kennison into the mix. Last year's defense was in a word, terrible. They gave up 20 or more points 12 times, but have brought in defensive guru Ray Rhodes to return the Broncos to the solid defense that helped them win back-to-back titles just a few years ago. The additions of Leon Lett, Darryll Lewis, Chester McGlockton, Denard Walker, Keith Washington, and Lee Woodall figures to shore up a defense that was embarrassed many times last season. 2. Oakland Raiders- The Raiders finally were able to reverse the trend of stupid penalties and late season fades to not only make the playoffs, but nearly make the Super Bowl. Oakland's biggest worry this year is the age of their star players on offense and if the major key, Rich Gannon, can stay healthy. If Gannon is healthy, the Raiders will thrive again on offense, but an injury would force Bobby Hoying or Marques Tuiasosopo into a position that they are not ready to assume. Tyrone Wheatley returns to help in short yardage and goal line situations, but the big coo in the backfield was the acquisition of Charlie Garner from San Francisco. Garner wasn't the only player to move from bay to bay though, Jerry Rice also joins the Raider crew. Rice joins vets James Jett, Tim Brown, and Andre Rison to make up a set of receivers that any nursing home would be proud of. Defensively the Raiders should be impressive again with the addition of rush end Trace Armstrong to an already strong defense. The key to improvement for Oakland would be the safeties. Cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Eric Allen were effective last season, but poor safety play led to too many big plays. 3. Seattle Seahawks- Mike Holmgren may now realize how good he had it in Green Bay. After an 8-2 start in 1999, he's gone just 7-16 since then and made wholesale changes on the defense after a horrid 2000 season. Defensive linemen Chad Eaton, John Randle, and Jeremy Staat figure to give more of a pass rush to the worst AFC team in 2000 in sacks with just 27 total. Levon Kirkland should give more help against the run from his linebacker position and Marcus Robertson will work with Shawn Springs to give the secondary more credibility. On offense, the running back situation is the strength. Ricky Waters and Shaun Alexander are about as good of a duo as anybody in the league. However, quarterback and receiver are still considerably weak, though Matt Hasselbeck will be better than Jon Kitna in time. Hasselbeck has spent time behind Brett Favre in Green Bay through his career and if he goes down the Hawks will be left with Brock Huard or Josh Booty to fill the void. At receiver there is next to nothing. Koren Robinson could be a big time receiver, but is just a rookie and a bunch of no-names will be around him. 4. San Diego Chargers- Not finishing in the gutter and getting 6 or 7 wins would be a huge improvement from the Baylor of pro football. Getting Norv Turner to run the offense and giving him talent to work with is a huge improvement from what they've had. Doug Flutie is a great fit at quarterback and a great guy for Drew Brees to learn from. LaDainian Tomlinson will be a superstar and Tim Dwight is a great return man to put the offense in a better position to start drives. Defensively the Chargers were awesome against the run a year ago only letting up an average of 3 yards per carry, but were lit up at times with the pass. The additions of two solid cornerbacks in Ryan McNeil and Alex Molden will help, but the help of a budding young star defensive end, Marcellus Wiley will give them more of a pass rush and aid the pass D. 5. Kansas City Chiefs- Dick Vermeil cried two years ago when he "retired" from football for the second time from his World Champion St. Louis Rams then after just a year off returns to Kansas City and is being hailed as the one to turn around the flailing Chiefs. Some forget that before that Super Bowl season Vermeil was on the hot seat and was thought to be on his way out. Now he brings Trent Green with him again and tries to bring the magic he brought to the Rams to arguably the most boring team in all levels of football. The Chiefs hope Priest Holmes can fill the void at running back and Marvin Minnis can provide a big-play threat at wide receiver. An average at best defense did little to improve and will be run over again in a very competitive division.
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