2015 NFL Season Preview and Predictions--AFC West Division

The Broncos are coming off a very weird off season. John Fox and John Elway decide to part ways after an embarrassing playoff loss to the Colts. Their were rumors that the Broncos tried to trade Peyton Manning. Gary Kubiak comes back home to coach the team. The Broncos have the talent to win the Super Bowl. The major question is Manning's health. Manning also continues to come up small in the big games. I like the hire of Kubiak. I think he can help keep Manning fresh for the post season. Kubiak's offense is very run heavy and that's what Manning needs at this stage of his career. Kubiak is bringing Wade Phillips as his defensive coordinator. This team was already solid on both sides of the ball. I think they did a solid job of filling in the coaching staff. I expect them to be one of the top teams in the AFC again and I expect them to fall short in the post season.

San Diego is dealing with annoying rumors on whether they will move to LA. It may seem small to most but it could hurt this team at home. If the fans in San Diego feel like the team is deserting them, it could hurt attendance. This in return will take away any home field advantage that they may have. Phillip Rivers is playing at a high level but he needs help. The attempted to address that with the drafting of Melvin Gordon. Gordon could add balance to the offense. If Gordon can come in and rush for 1300 to 1500 yards, the sky is the limit for the Chargers.

The Chargers had a top 10 defense in 2014. If the can keep up that level of play this team could be dangerous in the post season. I think they will make the playoffs as a wild card team only to fall short in the post season. I say that because I don't know how the offensive line and Melvin Gordon will produce. It's just too many ifs for me to think they will do damage in playoffs.

The Chiefs are confusing. They destroyed the Patriots and made Tom Brady look pedestrian. Then they just lay an egg against the Raiders. They play up and down to their competition. It just keeps you wondering which Chiefs team will show up. That inconsistency will cost them another playoff spot in 2015. They are extremely well coached. Andy Reid does the best with what he has, unfortunately he can't win the big one. Their offense is too limited. Alex Smith is good enough to win games. Jeremy Maclin should give him the threat he sorely needs at receiver. Jamal Charles is a reliable dual threat back. The offense needs to improve. They finished near the bottom of the league. The defense was ranked 7th last year. They were led by pass rusher Justin Houston and his 22 sacks. Their defense gives them a chance to beat a lot of teams. Their offense is efficient but very limited and I feel like it will cost them a post season spot again.

The Raiders finally have a light at the end of the tunnel. They finally fired their awful coach Dennis Allen. He was a bad hire. That easy for people to say in hindsight but I firmly believed he was a bad hire from the start. His defense with the Broncos was terrible and it followed him to the Raiders. The Raiders decided to move on and hire another Broncos defensive coordinator. This time I think they got it right. Jack Del Rio has head coaching experience and has been a successful defensive coordinator. I think Del Rio can make the Raiders respectable again with time. He has a piece of the puzzle with Derek Carr. Carr was impressive as a rookie. He has given the fan base hope. They went out and got him some weapons to help improve the off season. Their 1st round pick Armari Cooper could be a star. Carr and Cooper could give the Raiders a dynamic duo for years to come. They added veteran possession WR Michael Crabtree. The team could use an upgrade at the running back position but Rome wasn't built in a day. I don't expect a big jump from this team. I think they will be competitive in Year 1 under Del Rio. They won't win much in Year 1 but if they are patient, by Year 3 they could be a wild card team.