Tracking the AFC West

(Sorry for the pixelated image. I suck at cropping pictures.)

Denver (2-0)
Oakland (1-1)
San Diego (1-1)
Kansas City (0-2)

Denver - Their defense has taken a complete 180 degree turn from last year. I wouldn't be surprised if they are a top 10 defense by the end of the year. Dumervil is currently leading the league in sacks (4 sacks today alone), Champ looks healthy, Dawkins doesn't show any signs pointing to the fact that he's 35 years old, Goodman is a huge upgrade from Dre Bly, Woodyard is suddenly a playmaker/difference maker and the D line can actually stuff the run. The offense has definitely taken a step back with Orton but the Broncos can still move the chains a bit. Buckhalter is solid, Moreno has the pop to make big plays and Hillis is always a nice insurance policy. Not sure what the deal is still with Marshall. He looks sluggish and he doesn't have much rhythm with Orton. Stokley seems to be the go-to-guy for this offense which is fine because Stokley is a reliable wide out but he isn't a play maker like Marshall. Marshall needs to step up because he is losing a ton of respect and money. This is a well coached team all across the board - special teams, defense and yes, even offense. Orton just isn't Cutler, sorry guys but he made some nice throws today and he doesn't gamble. He's not afraid to throw the ball away in order to avoid the sack and I prefer this style over the Jay "I'm not settling for a field goal so I'll throw it across my body, on the move, and into triple coverage" Cutler anyday - especially when we already have the lead. Look at last week - the Broncos had the lead all game, Orton played smart, didn't make any risky throws, preserved the lead and the Broncos won. Meanwhile, the Bears had the lead going into the 4th quarter, Cutler threw risky passes and he throw a game losing pick on the final drive to lose the game. It's examples like this that make me side with McDaniels on why he didn't think Cutler was mentally capable of running his offense.

FYI, notice how Tony Dungy and Josh McDaniels are the two people who have never fully thought Cutler was a franchise QB and have doubted him. Then notice how Tony Dungy and Josh McDaniels have both coached, thrived, set all time passing records, and won Super Bowls with the two best quarterbacks of our era in Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Just throwing that out there.....

Raiders - Defense is stellar now with the addition of Seymour. Funny how one player completely turns a D line from dog shit to good. McFadden looks 100% healthy and Cable is finally utilizing him like he should. I'm surprised to see DHB getting so much action already but I guess when Louis Murphy and Johnny Lee Higgins are your other wide receivers, than a unpolished DHB isn't a bad option. Once Schilens get back and those young wide outs get better acclimated with Russell than this could be a pretty decent offense. Unfortunately, Russell's accuracy is still shaky (7 for 24 today...) but with an improved O-line and some tall red zone targets (Miller, Schilens, DHB) this offense will put up some points to go along with a good defense. I think they need to pound the ball even more with Bush/Run DMC because it's not like they are playing from behind and need to pass the ball so much.

San Diego - Still the most talented team in the division. Rivers is the clear cut best QB in the division and he has consistently proven he can throw the ball whenever he wants (436 yards today against the Ravens. Wow.). Not to mention San Diego might have the best receiving core in the division right now. Vincent Jackson is becoming an elite wide out, Gates is Gates, Naanee has a lot of talent and it's showing it, Chambers doesn't need to be a playmaker - just a compliment, and Sproles is electric when he gets the ball in the open field (what a luxury it is to have Sproles waiting in the flats when no one else is open). The defense has a ton on injuries and I'm not sure Merriman will ever return to his old self but once the defense gets healthier than you know they have the talent to be very good. They're run defense is a bit spotty but when you have a QB that can score at will than a lot of teams won't be running too much. Oh, and LT still is a very good back. He had some good runs last week and he can keep his legs fresh all year with Sproles taking away some carries.

Kansas City - They D line is really improved. Tank Tyler is legit at nose tackle and he's getting a lot of penetration which is opening lanes for Dorsey, Jackson, and their line backers. Still a pretty raw defense but they play physically which will always force turnovers. Their offense is going to be sub par to bad all year. Cassel is nothing too special right now, Larry Johnson looks really good sometimes but he also looks really bad sometimes, Bowe takes plays off, they have no tight end and their other receivers are just average. They will finish last in this division and have a top 10 draft pick but it's not all bad because their going to be good in a few years and Haley knows what he is going. If I was a Chiefs fan I would be pretty worried about the fact that the Chiefs gave Cassel 63 million without him proving he's worth it yet. Dare I say that Brodie Croyle looked A LOT better last week in Baltimore than Cassel did this week at home?......