San Diego Chargers
Predicted Record: 12-4
Playoff Seed: 2
Key Player: LT, With Philip Rivers taking over for the departed Drew Brees it is essential that Ladainian have one of his best seasons ever to take away some of the pressure that will be put on Philip's shoulders. One thing Philip has going for him though is that LT and Gates are the best players in the league at their respective positions.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Philip Rivers, Because of the afformentioned weapons Philip will be a a very valuable backup quarterback and may end up by midseason being a bonafide fantasy starter. One thing is for certain he is a better pick than almost any other backup fantasy qb due to his upside.
Why the Record: I just don't think there will be a drop off between Rivers and Brees. Last year the Chargers had by far the toughest schedule in the NFL with multiple cross country trips along with playing almost every team following their bye week. The Chargers won't have to deal with that terrible schedule and they will take advantage and win this division.
Projected Wins: @OAK, TEN, @BAL, PIT, @SF, STL, CLE, OAK, DEN, KC, @SEA, ARI
Projected Losses: @KC, @CIN, @DEN, @BUF
Denver Broncos
Predicted Record: 8-8
Key Player: Jake the Snake, Simply put Plummer needs to duplicate his non Snake like 2005 season. If he can do that then the Broncos will be able to work through their very difficult schedule to gain and AFC playoff spot, if not, then he might be looking for a new job in 07.
Fantasy Player to Eye: The Bell Boys, Obviously running back is the most difficult position to fill in for fantasy and having a starting running back for a good team is incredibly valuable. However, having split time guys is a killer, so it will be interesting to see if either Tatum or Mike step up and take the majority of the carries.
Why the Record: The Broncos have the most difficult schedule of all the AFC west teams having won the division last year and as a result have to play Indy and New England, two games I believe they will lose. In addition I think Plummer will regress this year and almost certainly lead to a major QB controversy in 2007.
Projected Wins: @STL, KC, OAK, IND, @OAK, SD, CIN, SF
Projected Losses: @NE, BAL, @CLE, @PIT, @KC, SEA, @SD, @ARI
Kansas City Chiefs
Predicted Record: 8-8
Key Player: Kyle Turley, He's got all the pressure in the world on his shoulders. First he's been out of the league for a bit after his scuffle with Mike Martz so there could be some rust. Secondly, he is replacing a sure bet Hall of Famer and perennial pro-bowler in Willie Roaf who along with Will Shields led Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson to huge amounts of success. If Turley is sub standard than it will be interesting to see the effect it has on the KC offense.
Fantasy Player to Eye: LJ, Larry Johnson has the potential to have the greatest fantasy season of all time, or he could turn into just another running back with the loss of Roaf. He's got a higher risk/reward than both Alexander and LT for the top 3 running backs.
Why the Record: Karma. There is way too much hype on the KC Chiefs as being a good team. I say they will definately not make the playoffs because Herm lied for the whole second half of the season and Karma says that they will have atleast one down season.
Projected Wins: CIN, SF, @ARI, @PIT, SD, OAK, DEN, BAL
Projected Losses: @DEN, SEA, @STL, @MIA, @CLE, @SD, @OAK, JAX
Oakland Raiders
Predicted Record: 5-11
Key Player: Randy Moss, Randy Moss spent all of the 2005 season banged up and underachieving. He will need to be spectacular to bail out the up for grabs ducks that Brooks tends to throw up. The Raiders are going to need to put up big offensive numbers in order to win games.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Jerry Porter, Year to Year Jerry Porter is vastly overrated, this year it will be interesting to see if he has any role at all. WR opposite Randy Moss is always a solid fantasy position if he can establish himself as a consistant starter and get on Art Shell's good side.
Why the Record: Too many questionmarks at too many key positions. The defense is perennially poor, Aaron Brooks is an INT machine, Moss is coming off his worst season ever, is Lamont really a viable #1 running back, etc. In addition the Raiders are in a difficult division.
Projected Wins: @BAL, @SF, HOU, STL, KC
Projected Losses: SD, CLE, @DEN, ARI, PIT, @SEA, DEN, @KC, @SD, @CIN, @NYJ
Predicted Record: 12-4
Playoff Seed: 2
Key Player: LT, With Philip Rivers taking over for the departed Drew Brees it is essential that Ladainian have one of his best seasons ever to take away some of the pressure that will be put on Philip's shoulders. One thing Philip has going for him though is that LT and Gates are the best players in the league at their respective positions.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Philip Rivers, Because of the afformentioned weapons Philip will be a a very valuable backup quarterback and may end up by midseason being a bonafide fantasy starter. One thing is for certain he is a better pick than almost any other backup fantasy qb due to his upside.
Why the Record: I just don't think there will be a drop off between Rivers and Brees. Last year the Chargers had by far the toughest schedule in the NFL with multiple cross country trips along with playing almost every team following their bye week. The Chargers won't have to deal with that terrible schedule and they will take advantage and win this division.
Projected Wins: @OAK, TEN, @BAL, PIT, @SF, STL, CLE, OAK, DEN, KC, @SEA, ARI
Projected Losses: @KC, @CIN, @DEN, @BUF
Denver Broncos
Predicted Record: 8-8
Key Player: Jake the Snake, Simply put Plummer needs to duplicate his non Snake like 2005 season. If he can do that then the Broncos will be able to work through their very difficult schedule to gain and AFC playoff spot, if not, then he might be looking for a new job in 07.
Fantasy Player to Eye: The Bell Boys, Obviously running back is the most difficult position to fill in for fantasy and having a starting running back for a good team is incredibly valuable. However, having split time guys is a killer, so it will be interesting to see if either Tatum or Mike step up and take the majority of the carries.
Why the Record: The Broncos have the most difficult schedule of all the AFC west teams having won the division last year and as a result have to play Indy and New England, two games I believe they will lose. In addition I think Plummer will regress this year and almost certainly lead to a major QB controversy in 2007.
Projected Wins: @STL, KC, OAK, IND, @OAK, SD, CIN, SF
Projected Losses: @NE, BAL, @CLE, @PIT, @KC, SEA, @SD, @ARI
Kansas City Chiefs
Predicted Record: 8-8
Key Player: Kyle Turley, He's got all the pressure in the world on his shoulders. First he's been out of the league for a bit after his scuffle with Mike Martz so there could be some rust. Secondly, he is replacing a sure bet Hall of Famer and perennial pro-bowler in Willie Roaf who along with Will Shields led Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson to huge amounts of success. If Turley is sub standard than it will be interesting to see the effect it has on the KC offense.
Fantasy Player to Eye: LJ, Larry Johnson has the potential to have the greatest fantasy season of all time, or he could turn into just another running back with the loss of Roaf. He's got a higher risk/reward than both Alexander and LT for the top 3 running backs.
Why the Record: Karma. There is way too much hype on the KC Chiefs as being a good team. I say they will definately not make the playoffs because Herm lied for the whole second half of the season and Karma says that they will have atleast one down season.
Projected Wins: CIN, SF, @ARI, @PIT, SD, OAK, DEN, BAL
Projected Losses: @DEN, SEA, @STL, @MIA, @CLE, @SD, @OAK, JAX
Oakland Raiders
Predicted Record: 5-11
Key Player: Randy Moss, Randy Moss spent all of the 2005 season banged up and underachieving. He will need to be spectacular to bail out the up for grabs ducks that Brooks tends to throw up. The Raiders are going to need to put up big offensive numbers in order to win games.
Fantasy Player to Eye: Jerry Porter, Year to Year Jerry Porter is vastly overrated, this year it will be interesting to see if he has any role at all. WR opposite Randy Moss is always a solid fantasy position if he can establish himself as a consistant starter and get on Art Shell's good side.
Why the Record: Too many questionmarks at too many key positions. The defense is perennially poor, Aaron Brooks is an INT machine, Moss is coming off his worst season ever, is Lamont really a viable #1 running back, etc. In addition the Raiders are in a difficult division.
Projected Wins: @BAL, @SF, HOU, STL, KC
Projected Losses: SD, CLE, @DEN, ARI, PIT, @SEA, DEN, @KC, @SD, @CIN, @NYJ
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