Predicting the AFC West Standings in 2015: Pre-Training Camp Edition

Predicting the AFC West Standings in 2015: Pre-Training Camp Edition

By Bill Zimmerman

July 24, 2015

Predicting the AFC West Standings in 2015: Pre-Training Camp Edition

Oakland Raiders v Denver Broncos Peyton Manning — The Denver Broncos have been sitting atop the division the last few years with Peyton Manning directing the offense. Manning has come back for one more year, and Gary Kubiak takes over for John Fox. Can John Elway fend off the AFC West and keep his team on top? That will be quite a challenge with a flawed roster, but with that said, who will unseat the Broncos? Here's a prediction for the 2015 AFC West standings.

The Denver Broncos have been sitting atop the division the last few years with Peyton Manning directing the offense. Manning has come back for one more year, and Gary Kubiak takes over for John Fox. Can John Elway fend off the AFC West and keep his team on top? That will be quite a challenge with a flawed roster, but with that said, who will unseat the Broncos? Here's a prediction for the 2015 AFC West standings.

4. Oakland Raiders, 5-11

Oakland Raiders v Denver Broncos Derek Carr

4. Oakland Raiders, 5-11

Oakland Raiders v Denver Broncos Derek Carr — The Raiders are getting better, but they aren't ready to make a major jump. Derek Carr will improve, and Amari Cooper may prove one day to be the best rookie out of this draft class. While the Raiders will be far more competitive this year, the young Carr doesn't have what it takes (yet) to pull off victories in the fourth quarter.

The Raiders are getting better, but they aren't ready to make a major jump. Derek Carr will improve, and Amari Cooper may prove one day to be the best rookie out of this draft class. While the Raiders will be far more competitive this year, the young Carr doesn't have what it takes (yet) to pull off victories in the fourth quarter.

3. Denver Broncos, 7-9

Demaryius Thomas Denver Broncos

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3. Denver Broncos, 7-9

Demaryius Thomas Denver Broncos — Peyton Manning should have retired last year. His struggles started before the leg injury and his arm strength isn't up to snuff. While Manning's ridiculous football IQ will hide a lot of his physical deficiencies, he simply isn't going to be the same QB he's been. If he shows his age this year, this team is going to find that life isn't as peachy as it once was. The Broncos struggling will be this season's biggest NFL shocker.

Peyton Manning should have retired last year. His struggles started before the leg injury and his arm strength isn't up to snuff. While Manning's ridiculous football IQ will hide a lot of his physical deficiencies, he simply isn't going to be the same QB he's been. If he shows his age this year, this team is going to find that life isn't as peachy as it once was. The Broncos struggling will be this season's biggest NFL shocker.

2. San Diego Chargers, 8-8

Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers

2. San Diego Chargers, 8-8

Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers — I feel like the Chargers go 8-8 every year. Philip Rivers is good, but he isn't great, and I don't think Mike McCoy has what it takes to make a major impact from the sidelines. Melvin Gordon will prove that he's the best RB San Diego has had since LT, but this team will find itself sitting at home in January.

I feel like the Chargers go 8-8 every year. Philip Rivers is good, but he isn't great, and I don't think Mike McCoy has what it takes to make a major impact from the sidelines. Melvin Gordon will prove that he's the best RB San Diego has had since LT, but this team will find itself sitting at home in January.

1. Kansas City Chiefs, 10-6

Kansas City Chiefs v Pittsburgh Steelers Jamaal Charles

1. Kansas City Chiefs, 10-6

Kansas City Chiefs v Pittsburgh Steelers Jamaal Charles — The Chiefs will rise to the top of the division in 2015. Alex Smith doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and he has some good weapons to work with on offense. Andy Reid is a smart coach who knows how to get the most out of his players. While Reid doesn't have the most success in the postseason, he knows how to navigate through a regular season as well as any coach in the league.

The Chiefs will rise to the top of the division in 2015. Alex Smith doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and he has some good weapons to work with on offense. Andy Reid is a smart coach who knows how to get the most out of his players. While Reid doesn't have the most success in the postseason, he knows how to navigate through a regular season as well as any coach in the league.

Bill Zimmerman is a featured writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.

Teams in this article »

Kansas City Chiefs

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Los Angeles Rams

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Oakland Raiders

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San Diego Chargers

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