The Crystal Ball Preseason Preview - AFC West

I do love the last preseason game of the season. Somewhat sloppy play by desperate men valiantly trying to make an NFL roster and avoid a job in the real world. Just fantastic entertainment, although if bittersweet as most of these gentlemen will find themselves unemployed. That’s right, final cuts are coming Saturday.

But fear not cut players; you never know what team may need your services. I know St. Louis is looking for quarterbacks, and Cleveland will be in the market for a wide receiver after budding star, no pun intended, Josh Gordon was assessed a year’s suspension for drug use.

Cleveland cracks me up. Just a few months ago it was everything roses on the shores of Lake Erie. But now, it seems like it’s already unraveling. The Gordon suspension just exemplifies the Browns’ problems. It looks like already the team could be regretting Johnny Football, although I bet they were after the spring of Johnny Party. First he flips the bird to the Washington crowd and shows the entirety of the NFL how easy it is to get under his skin. So the Browns, to protect their investment, tab Brian Hoyer as their Week 1 starter. I’m guessing not for talent, but because they were fearful that Manziel would melt down in the face of what will be a very hostile Pittsburgh crowd.

But perhaps it is talent, because in the Browns preseason game Johnny Football was sacked twice by fellow rookie Michael Sam, whom we’re being CONSTANTLY, told is a marginal player. So either Sam is a much better player than football people want to admit (which is my guess), or Manziel is not as good as advertised. Will the Browns ever get it right? Boy I sure hope not. Where would my amusement come from?

Oh I’ll just sit here in my glee and…..Wait a minute….

Is that Le’Veon Bell and Legarrette Blount doing their impression of Cheech and Chong while rolling through Pittsburgh?

Is that the much vaunted revamped Pittsburgh defense getting shredded in Philadelphia, by Mark Sanchez??

Is that the retooled Pittsburgh offensive attack going three and out, again???

Can I go back and revise the AFC North predictions? No????

AFC West

Denver Broncos

2013 – Finished 13-3 1^st in Division

My goodness, what a whirlwind season it was for the AFC Champion Broncos who found themselves in the ideal situation to win their third Super Bowl. Peyton had it all. Good weather, a record breaking offense, the biggest city in America lit up for him and the world at his feet. He was 60 minutes from his coronation as the greatest quarterback ever. But the Seattle defense was not going to be a footnote in the Peyton Manning story. And as the first snap from scrimmage sailed past Manning's wide eyed surprised look, so too went Denver’s evening.

After that, the indignity started. There was the discussion of how this loss impacts Manning’s legacy. To add insult to humorous injury, someone took some game shots and cut them together into a horror film. Unless you’re a Bronco fan, that link is great! And there was Peyton getting upset and defensive about being asked if the game performance was embarrassing. Here is his quote:

"It's not embarrassing at all. I would never use that word. The word 'embarrassing' is an insulting word, to tell you the truth."

Umm Peyton, I watched the game. Embarrassing and insulting are appropriate adjectives.

A Super Bowl loss is bad, but it would seem things haven’t really improved much for the Broncos. Yes, they did get some good defensive pieces to reload for another run. I think the acquisition of DeMarcus Ware was brilliant.

But the team was rocked by the news that owner Pat Bowlen is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. He stepped down from his positions and relented control of the team. I feel for Mr. Bowlen, as I think this would be one of the worst afflictions to suffer. To lose your mind, personality and the uniqueness of who you are lowly, arduously sounds to me like slow torture. I hope things do not get too bad for Mr. Bowlen.

But things got worse for the Broncos when they signed former Steeler Emmanuel Sanders. Sanders initially had a deal with the Chiefs, but reneged on that deal to sign with the Broncos. Strike one. Sanders then went out of his way, once camp started, to praise his new quarterback. He went so far out of his way; he threw his old quarterback under the bus. Strike two. And then, after being asked about it, after hearing Roethlisberger’s response, when Sanders had a chance to save face, he stuck to his guns and continued to tout how much belter of a quarterback, football player and team leader Peyton Manning is versus Ben Roethlisberger.

Sanders has talent, but he’s also lazy and a locker room trouble maker. When Sanders claims Peyton is willing to stay after practice with him and a rookie wide receiver, I wonder if that’s because Sanders wants the work, or Manning says Sanders needs the work. Be careful Denver, because you signed a me first fool. I can’t wait to see the exasperated Peyton Manning Face after Sanders drops yet another ball at a critical juncture of a game. It should be an epically derisive sneer.

Projected outcome –There’s no way Manning has as good of a season as he did last year. But there’s also no reason for me to doubt Manning and Company cannot take this division. At least not yet.

Kansas City Chiefs

2013 – Finished 11-5 2^nd in Division

Andy Reid brought huge joy to Chiefs fans and barbeque joints all through the Midwest last season. And if it weren’t for that meddling Peyton Manning, he might have won the division in his first year as head coach. Alas, this was not to be, at least in 2013.

Projected outcome – Not really sure what’s happening in Kansas City this offseason, as most of it seems perplexing. Dwayne Bowe will start the season suspended; their offensive line has been partially rebuilt after a few stalwarts left for greener pastures. I see a sophomore slump for KC and a third place finish.

Oakland Raiders

2013 – Finished 4-12 4^th in Division

Oakland got serious this offseason! They went and imported a slew of veteran talent to bolster their team including Justin Tuck, Matt Schaub and LaMarr Woodley. Woodley even feels his new home and team are playoff contenders. Obviously, Woodley is even more delusional than he was near the end of his tenure in Pittsburgh. Has anyone watched the train wreck that is the Oakland quarterbacking situation this preseason? *shudder*

It would seem team owner Mark Davis saw it, as he’s been busy coming up with a tale so crazy no one is mentioning the disaster that will be seen on the field. Davis, who looks to be even crazier than his old man, is apparently looking into options for the Raiders new home. Their lease with Oakland runs out at the end of the season, and like every rich owner who does not want to spend a dime, he’s trying to extort a new stadium out of Oakland.

So far, those efforts have been all for naught. So Davis has been publicly courted by San Antonio, and even brought up a potential return to Los Angeles. I figured both were just ridiculous ploys, but San Antonio is taking it seriously. The city has enlisted former Vikings owner Red McCombs to assist in the wooing of Davis, and while all involved acknowledge it’s a long shot, that hasn’t stopped San Antonio from working on making this a reality.

While you’re letting all of that sink in, guess what you haven’t done? Thought about how horrible the team is, how poorly it’s run and what a bad product San Antonio is attempting to purchase. Mark Davis, super genius.

Projected outcome – Last. Dead last. So far last that even Cleveland fans will feel good about themselves.

San Diego Chargers

2013 – Finished 9-7 3^rd in Division

San Diego still looks like an up and down team, some weeks looking unstoppable, and some, well you’ve watched them at the beginning of every season.

I guess Charger management must think the team is closer to real success than I do. They spent some free agent money on former Colt Dwight Freeney in the hopes the defensive end can improve their defense. Not sure what an aging, undersized defensive end can do to help, but I suppose we’ll see eventually.

Projected outcome –I see The Super Chargers improving on last year, but at least for the moment this is Denver’s division. So second place it will be.