NFL Betting: AFC West Preview

Team On The Rise: Oakland Raiders

NFL betting handicappers are used to betting against the Oakland Raiders and taking it to the bank each year as they lose 10+ games. This year, things are different. They had a decent finish to 2009 (by their standards) and then picked up quarterback Jason Campbell to solidify a position that has been their Achilles heel. Campbell will move the ball and more importantly, he won’t cripple the team like JaMarcus Russell did.

The defense is tough and the offense will be more effective; that’s enough for an 8-8 season. For the Raiders, that would be a huge success.

Team On The Decline: Denver Broncos

Sportsbook were shocked when this team started 6-0 in 2009 but boy does that look like a distant memory now. The Broncos finished the year with just two wins in their last 10 contests and then put in an ugly offseason. They traded away stud wideout Brandon Marshall, then traded for quarterback Brady Quinn, drafted Tim Tebow and signed Kyle Orton to an extension. Their running backs are already injured and after signing their best defensive player, Elvis Dumervil, to a long term contract, he tore his pectoral muscle and will miss about half the season.

Head Coach Josh McDaniels continues to act like he knows more than anyone else but usually this type of arrogance leads to plenty of losses and a pink slip. The Broncos are squarely on that track.

Predicted Winner: San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers are the biggest division favorite out there (by a long shot) and the reason is simple: they are the only team in the division that is not rebuilding. Beyond that, they are a definite Super Bowl contender. They have some question marks with Pro Bowl holdouts Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill, but outside of that, this team has been the epitome of consistency in the division.

There’s no reason to bet against them here. The Chiefs are a wreck, nobody knows what the Broncos are doing and while the Raiders are getting better, quantify that with the fact that they lose double-digit games every year. The Chargers no-brainer pick in the West.

Good luck this season.