1. Denver Broncos
It will be Super Bowl or bust part two.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Amazing how getting a reliable quarterback can change a teams outlook.
3. San Diego Chargers
It could be another rough year if they don’t protect QB Philip Rivers’ blindside.
4. Oakland Raiders
A lot of roster upheaval, but they still have ‘Run DMC’ (McFadden) to be their workhorse.
Broncos
Head Coach: John Fox
Key Position: Running Back – It’s not a glaring weakness, but one that Denver must solve if they are to take pressure off of QB Peyton Manning. But to be honest, the Broncos will need to make sure the defense doesn’t give up big plays like they did against the Ravens in the playoffs last year.
Key Acquisitions: CB Quentin Jammer (San Diego Chargers), CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Philadelphia Eagles), DT Terrance Knighton (Jacksonville Jaguars), G Louis Vasquez (San Diego Chargers), LB Shaun Phillips (San Diego Chargers), WR Wes Welker (New England Patriots)
Key Rookies: DT Sylvester Williams, RB Montee Ball
Chiefs
Head Coach: Andy Reid (Philadelphia Eagles)
Key Position: Quarterback – The one team that desperately needed a good quarterback was the Kansas City Chiefs. Ranked 32nd in passing last year, they relied heavily on their RB Jamaal Charles and the defense to bail them out. With QB Alex Smith aboard they hope to give their defense more rest and more opportunities for Charles and others to score.
Key Acquisitions: CB Dunta Robinson (Atlanta Falcons), CB Sean Smith (Miami Dolphins), DE Mike DeVito (New York Jets), QB Alex Smith (San Francisco 49ers), TE Anthony Fasano (Miami Dolphins), WR Donnie Avery (Indianapolis Colts)
Key Rookies: T Eric Fisher, RB Knile Davis
Chargers
Head Coach: Mike McCoy (Denver Broncos)
Key Position: Offense – The focus should be to keep QB Philip Rivers upright and have more time to make plays in the pocket. Without a reliable running game to alleviate the pressure Rivers sees, it will be another long season for the Chargers.
Key Acquisitions: CB Derek Cox (Jacksonville Jaguars), DE/LB Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis Colts), RB Danny Woodhead (New England Patriots), T King Dunlap (Philadelphia Eagles)
Key Rookies: T D.J. Fluker, LB Manti Te’o, WR Keenan Allen
Raiders
Head Coach: Dennis Allen
Key Position: Running Back – They seemed to have forgotten that RB Darren McFadden is one of the best running backs in football. Now that they traded away QB Carson Palmer, they’ll look to get back to featuring more of McFadden.
Key Acquisitions: CB Tracy Porter (Denver Broncos), CB Mike Jenkins (Dallas Cowboys), LB Nick Roach (Chicago Bears), QB Matt Flynn (Seattle Seahawks), S Charles Woodson (Green Bay Packers)
Key Rookies: CB D.J. Hayden, T Menelik Watson
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