AFC West

Tim Tebow, Gatherer of a Modest Following

By Adam Barone

While Tim Tebow is busy shepherding his flock to the Promised Land from the Broncos bench, Philip Rivers will be busy kicking ass.
Yes, Jamaal Charles is a sexy pick to water-bug the Chiefs into the playoffs, but it’s San Diego’s division to lose as long as Rivers is dominating.

San Diego Chargers (11-5): The Chargers finished 2010 at 9-7, but failed to make the playoffs, though their terrible special teams cost them as many as four games. They finished first overall in both total yards and total yards against, so 9-7 was certainly a disappointment.

Rivers led the NFL in passing yards with 4,710—a career high. He’ll have receiver Vincent Jackson back for a full season and could challenge Dan Marino’s single season record of 5,084 yards. Shifty running back Darren Sproles, a dangerous weapon in the passing game, left for New Orleans as a free agent. Bulky fullback Mike Tolbert and rookie Jordan Todman should pick up the slack.
Former Illinois defensive lineman Corey Liuget was selected in the first round and will shift around the line to create mismatches. Veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes and long-time Colts’ safety Bob Sanders provide depth to an already stacked defense.
The Chargers come into the season under the radar, which could be just the advantage they need to finally make a Super Bowl run.

Kansas City Chiefs (8-8): The Chiefs paced the NFL last season in rushing, thanks to Jamaal Charles breakout 1,467 yard campaign. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry and caught 45 passes for over 450 yards.

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is gone, but receivers Steve Breaston and rookie Jonathan Baldwin (first round from Pittsburgh) were added to aid quarterback Matt Cassel. Kansas City ranked 30th in passing a season ago, so the new weapons and young tight end Tony Moeaki will need to step up. Versatile running back/receiver Dexter McCluster could also provide a spark after a disappointingly quiet rookie campaign.
The defense, which finished 11th in scoring, is young and rapidly improving. It features Pro Bowl second-year safety Eric Berry, who’s been compared to Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu.

Denver Broncos (5-11): The focus of Broncos fans, Florida Gators’ enthusiasts, Christians and bored lunatics across the country will be on Tim Tebow, while the Broncos attention will be on one of the league’s most daunting schedules.

Former Panthers’ head coach John Fox replaces Josh McDaniels and brings a run-heavy style. Kyle Orton will quarterback the attack (sorry, lunatics) that should heavily feature Knowshon Moreno with support from a deep group of receivers.
The defense was awful in ‘10, finishing dead last with 29.4 ppg allowed and accumulating just 23 sacks. Rush specialist and former Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller was drafted second overall and will be tasked with adding to the sack total.
The Broncos should show slight improvement as Fox adjusts the culture, but there’s still a long way to go.

Oakland Raiders (5-11): Raiders’ running back Darren McFadden broke out in a big way in ‘10, topping 1,100 yards rushing with seven scores and averaging over five yards per carry with seven scores. He also topped 500 yards receiving and found pay dirt three times on receptions.

Oakland will need him to repeat that impressive feat, as it lost cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, tight end Zach Miller, guard Robert Gallery and receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins to free agency. The Raiders also led the NFL last season with 148 penalties, further adding to the expected inconsistency.
Former Giants’ tight end Kevin Boss was signed to replace Miller, a slight downgrade.
The defense, which ranked second in passing in ‘10, is certain to have trouble replacing Asomugha’s coverage ability. The Raiders ranked 20th in scoring allowed (23.2 points per game) and finished 29th against the run.
The Raiders’ season has the potential turn into an ugly situation if McFadden struggles or gets hurt.