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//  Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Week 3 Biggest Questions (AFC WEST EDITION)

Friday, September 25, 2009
Posted by Ben Wilson

So two weeks into the NFL, one would suspect we would have a decent idea of what teams are going to bring to the table for the 2009-2010 season right? Wrong.  In fact, it seems that each week brings a different twist that negates all previous conclusions about the competitive level of a team.  Instead of looking at a rational set of outcomes and box scores, we're left scratching our heads wondering what happened over the past week.  Lets take a look at the AFC West and the shocks and surprises that have arisen early out of the West Coast.  

San Diego-  The hyped return of LT and Lights Out, Rivers coming off an outstanding season, and supposedly all the pieces to a winning team healthy and in place, the Bolts were expected to make a deep post season run.  With a schedule that opened against Oakland and Baltimore, many suggested the Chargers leap out to an authoritative 2-0.  However, the Chargers proved to do quite the opposite.  San Diego picked up a win in Oakland, but showed some weaknesses that included an inability to stop the run and handle Oakland's defensive pressure while maintaining poise.  It took a last minute drive by Philip Rivers to to cap a comeback win that left Chargers fans feeling dismayed instead of confident.  Then in week 2, San Diego lost to Baltimore again displaying some serious flaws that are not characteristic of a team that is going to make a run deep into the playoffs.  Through the first two weeks only Philip Rivers has lived up to his billing, throwing for over 600 yards in the first two contests.  Questions about Tomlinson's health have yet to go away after the all-star running back sat out week two due to a nagging injury, and the workload only continues to increase for Darren Sproles.  The main question in Chargers camp centers around Tomlinson and the teams ability to win with or without him and if the 1-1 team can hit their stride and rediscover their dominant nature from two years ago and compete at the level they're capable of.  

Denver-  On the flip side of expectations, not much was expected out of Denver when McDaniels revamped the Denver squad and installed an entirely new football system.  While he was expected to win, fans knew it might take time for all the changes to gel and translate to wins.  However, surprisingly enough, the Denver Broncos sit atop the AFC West with a 2-0 record.  Granted, their first win of the season came with them trailing to the Bungles with under a minute to play and saw a tripped pass miraculously land in the outstretched arms of wide open WR Brandon Stokely, and the team showed no signs of strong play, but nevertheless with a little luck they collected their first win of the season.  Okay. So maybe a lot of luck.  But there is a little luck involved in every win, its just this time it was unabashedly obvious.  Regardless, the Broncos started out 1-0.  Then they faced the Browns, where they won fairly decisively, 27-6.  Orton didn't put up stellar numbers, but he did enough to warrent a solid statistical game that kept his offensive on the field and his defense well rested.  And believe it or not the new-look Cutlerless Broncos are in first place.  Now its safe to say they've already cashed in on their incredible luck card for this season, and the question rises if Orton can win games with the cast around him or if the Broncos will stumble after bursting out of the gate when they hit a rougher stretch (Dallas, New England).  Denver should be careful not to overlook this upcoming week as well, facing Oakland followed by the Cowboys and the Patriots can easily turn this weeks matchup in the Blackhole into a trap game. The Raiders showed spine against San Diego, and then collected a win, albeit not a pretty win, verses Kansas City in Arrowhead.  If Denver isn't careful they could see a 2-0 sprint melt into a 2-3 skid.  

Oakland-  Oakland turned some heads following their week 1 loss versus San Diego due to the intensity and passion they played with that had been void for so many years.  The Raiders played like a team that wanted to win the game.  A team that despite the critics and over/under proved they can hang with the big boys when they want to.  A strong rushing attack and an impressive defense saw them to a very late lead in the game, but the Raiders succumbed to a brutally efficient drive by Rivers.  Unsatisfied with a moral victory, Oakland went on the road to Kansas City and collected their first win of the season inspite of Russell having the worst game of his young career.  The Raiders take on the Broncos at home this Sunday, and if Russell can play even a tad below average the Raiders have a shot at a 2-1 record and a tie for the division lead.  All the pieces are there, a strong defense, consistent running game, and explosive young talent.  The success of theses parts all hinge on the play of JaMarcus Russell.  Will the big QB lift a team on the rise or only kill what could've been a comeback?

Kansas City- Following a 2-14 season the Chiefs were proactive in instantly improving their tired and aging squad.  They cut lose slowing veterans and added Matt Cassell in hopes of jump starting an eyesore of an offense.  So far the investment hasn't paid off in wins, but its paying in dividends.  The Chiefs sit at 0-2 and face a possible 0-4 start after facing the Eagles and Giants in weeks 3 and 4, but it could be an encouraging 0-4.  The Chiefs had a shot to take down the Raiders but a couple key turnovers and penalties saw them slip into the loss column for the second time, but Cassell looked sharp and Dwayne Bowe's attitude adjustment seems to be working. He seems to be buying into the system and appears to be excited to play with Cassell and he's displayed this with a couple big catches the past two weeks.  Don't expect the Chiefs to move up in the standings just yet, but they are heading in the right direction.  It all depends on if they can rally around their new quarterback and find a winning identity.  

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