NFL Betting – AFC West Preview

NFL betting is back and now is the time to make your divisional futures picks. Will the Chargers take the AFC West in a walk or will another team step up in 2009? Let’s preview the division.

San Diego Chargers (-700 odds to win)

BOOM: This team can score. Phillip Rivers led the NFL in quarterback rating and touchdown passes last season in part thanks to his great supporting cast, which includes rangy, athletic targets like Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates. Whether LaDainian Tomlinson or Darren Sproles gets the bulk of the carries, the running game is in good hands.

BUST: The Chargers have to allow fewer points to truly contend this season, Shawne Merriman’s return will boost the pass rush, but he’s still just one man. Can he really remedy the team’s pass-defense woes?

Denver Broncos (+450 odds to win)

BOOM: Even without Jay Cutler, the Broncos offense could be fine. NCAA football betting standout Knowshon Moreno is a legit Rookie of the Year hopeful; Kyle Orton can’t be that bad behind center throwing to Eddie Royal, Tony Scheffler and Brandon Marshall, though Marshall could be suspended.

BUST: Boy, is that defense bad, and the Broncos haven’t done a whole lot to address it. They’ll be behind in plenty of games and will have to throw, so Kyle Orton can’t afford to be a bust.

Kansas City Chiefs (+1000 odds to win)

BOOM: If you want an NFL predictions sleeper in the AFC West, the Chiefs are it Matt Cassel gets a shot to prove he’s the real deal in an offense tailored to his strengths. He’ll have decent weapons at his disposal in Mark Bradley and Dwayne Bowe (if he can get out of the dog house).

BUST: The Chiefs’ defense has a long way to go and, though improvement is on the horizon, Kansas City should get scored on often. They’re probably too raw offensively to hang in games if they fall behind.

Oakland Raiders (+1400 odds to win)

BOOM: Viewing the positives through Al Davis’ rose-colored glasses, we can at least say that the Raiders have some talented players. Darren McFadden could make noise in the backfield if he stays healthy. Zach Miller is one of the best young tight ends in the game. JaMarcus Russell has a canon arm and Darrius Heyward-Bey has blinding speed. Even Nnamdi Asomugha may be the best shutdown corner in the league.

BUST: Almost none of the talents listed above have the football I.Q. to succeed if their early play suggests anything. Russell in particular is a bad fit for an offense trending toward the West Coast (why else would they bring in Jeff Garcia?). The Raiders just flat-out suck.

Best betting management pick: Chargers. I actually think Kansas City is the most likely challenger but, in reality, the race shouldn’t even be close. San Diego in a walk.