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Who
do you think will take the AFC West? Post your picks on our Discussion
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AFC WEST
2000 Preview and Hot Photo Links Below
| How Jim Sees It |
How Cyd Sees It |
1.
Kansas City Chiefs
What's to Like: Tony Gonzalez emerged as the game's best tight end. ... DE Duane Clemons (Vikings) and LB Lew Bush (Chargers) were terrific offseason pickups. ... Five of first seven at home so a quick start is possible. ... Gunther Cunningham is out favorite whacko coach.
... They will have the game's best offensive line.
What's Not to Like:
What's Not to Like: Derrick Thomas' tragic death leaves a huge void on and off the field. ... Which Elvis Grbac will be in the building, the one who was brilliant in the season-ender vs. Oakland or the one who single-handedly lost the game at San Diego? ... The running back-by-committee approach means they have nobody all that good to carry the ball.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End: The Chiefs ride the emotion of Derrick Thomas' memory and an improved Grbac to the division title.
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1.
Oakland Raiders
What's to Like: Here come the Raidahs. Their draft pick of kicker Sebastian Janikowski will be the final piece to the puzzle of John Gruden's coaching job at Oakland. Even owner Al Davis is getting into the act, getting inside other teams' heads with accusations of salary cap violations. With more steady play from QB Rich Gannon, one of the best backfields in the League, a beefed up defense, and the easiest schedule in the Conference, the Raiders are going to the Super Bowl.
What's Not to Like: All of the whiners we're going to hear all season because the most hated team in football is winning every week.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End:
12-4. The Raiders put it all together and are six-point favorites in the Super Bowl. |
2.
Denver Broncos
What's to Like: Ed McCaffrey shirtless ... Terrell Davis shirtless ... Mike Shanahan is a terrific coach. ... Kavika Pittman, a free agent DL from Dallas will be a stud on the line ... Jason Elam is a terrific weapon as a kicker.
What's Not to Like: If Brian Griese is the quarterback of the future, why pick up Gus Ferrotte? ... Cornerback situation looks unsteady.
... Bill Romanowski's diet pill habit.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End: Broncos snag a wild card, but inconsistent quarterbacking leads to an early exit. |
2.
Kansas City Chiefs
What's to Like: I love coach Gunther Cunningham. this guy is entertaining and can really motivate his team. Besides, when he wears those funky yellow glasses, he looks like an old queen. The defense should still be quite
good. QB Elvis Grbac is looking good in preseason -
staying within his game.
What's Not to Like: Their running game is in big
trouble, and should average under 90 yards per game.
They have a tough schedule, which will set them behind the
Raiders in the Division.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End:
11-5. One of the mystery teams of the season, they could win
six or lose six.
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3.
Oakland Raiders
What's to Like: All those top draft picks seem to be gelling. ... Rich Gannon showed he's matured as a QB. ... RB Tyrone Wheatley finally found a home. ... Charles Woodson is our choice for the game's best corner.
What's Not to Like: First-round pick Sebastian Janikowski won't kick as well in the NFL (no tee on field goals) and not be the weapon people think. ... Team needs to show it can consistently win close games.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End: The Raiders make a playoff run but miss the playoffs when a hung-over Janikowski misses a 30-yard field goal on the final play of the regular season. |
3.
Denver Broncos
What's to Like: One of the best-looking teams in the League, they are a guarantee for improvement over last year. With Pro Bowl RB Terrell Davis back in the lineup, their offense will improve on its output - which will take some pressure off of their improved defense.
What's Not to Like: A quarterback controversy rarely helps a team - and this will be no exception. While a great offensive mind, coach Mike Shanahan will create his own biggest problem while rotating Brian Griese and Gus Frerotte throughout the season.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End: 9-7. No six-win season here. The Broncos will be fighting for a
playoff spot in December. |
4.
Seattle Seahawks
What's to Like: Mike Holmgren showed he can coach by getting the Hawks their first playoff berth since 1988. ... Rookie RB Shaun Alexander is the team's future while Ricky Watters can still be dangerous. ... The gorgeous Justin Armour was a free-agent pickup.
What's Not to Like: They lost two standouts on the defensive line (Phillip Daniels to Chicago and Sam Adams to Baltimore) ... They traded Joey Galloway
so who will go deep? ... Move from noisy Kingdome to outdoor Husky Stadium (until new park is ready) cuts down on home-field edge.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End: Too many key player losses make 8-8 the best they can hope for. |
4.
Seattle Seahawks
What's to Like: They serve great coffee in Seattle. Oh, and the Seahawks will play at least half of their games in the rain this season.
What's Not to Like: With Jimmy Johnson gone, Mike Holmgren is now the most
overrated coach in the NFL. In one season, he let one of the most talented teams in the League become one of the least talented teams in the League, after losing six of their last seven games last season. And, with a time-bomb for a running back (Ricky Watters) - the Seahawks are plummeting.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End: 5-11.
With the toughest schedule in the division, the Seahawks will be lucky to get seven wins. |
5.
San Diego Chargers
What's to Like: Junior Seau totally dominates at linebacker. ... Coach Mike Riley got team a surprising eight wins last year.
What's Not to Like: Jim Harbaugh's arm is shot and Ryan Leaf still has the emotional makeup of a 10-year-old, so who will quarterback? ... Not enough offensive weapons to complement tough D.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End: Chargers play hard for Riley but lack of a QB means last place. |
5.
San Diego Chargers
What's to Like: One of last year's big surprises at 8-8, there's a little more expectation from this team. They picked up WR Curtis Conway from the Bears.
What's Not to Like: They have big problems at quarterback and running
back - including a quarterback controversy that has surfaced
in training camp. This team, which has survived on the backs of its defense the last two years, will need to do it again with their anemic
offense.
What They'll Look Like by Season's End: 4-12.
They could finish last...or second to last. Not any better. |
AFC WEST HOT PHOTO LINKS
Denver
Brian
Griese, the heir apparent (AP via Sportserver)
Former
Lion and now Bronco QB Gus Frerotte (AP)
Kansas City
Stud
tackle John Tait (Kansas City Star)
Get
a load of coach Gunther Cunningham's sunglasses
(AP via Sportserver)
Oakland
Party
boy and alleged date rape drug user Sebastian Janikowski in
court (AP)
San Diego
Linebacker
Junior Seau as a blond (AP via Sportserver)
Super
Brat QB Ryan Leaf (AP via Sportserver) They're
both gone, but we like this shot of Sean Salisbury (now with ESPN)
kissing Kevin Ross (AP via Sportserver)
Seattle
Tight
end Christian Fauria looks hot (AP via Sportserver) For
all of you bear-lovers: coach Mike Holmgren (AP via Sportserver) Awesome
cornerback Shawn Springs (AP via Sportserver)
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