Denver Broncos
Love - Peyton 2.0
Admittedly, I've never been the biggest Peyton Manning fan, but I am totally intrigued by what this year will show us about his leadership and talent with a new team. Watching Manning play in 2012 should demonstrate whether his abilities are easily transferable in Mile high or part of a bygone Byzantine offensive system that will never reach its former Indy glory.
Hate - Manning-Face 2.0
One thing I definitely did NOT miss this past year was that all-too-entitled-consider-this-passer-eternally-roughed signature whine that Peyton Manning has perfected (a la "Manning Face") with his zebra counterparts. You know, this one:
This level of referee interference should be reserved strictly for the NBA
San Diego Chargers
Love - Seeing Philip Rivers Return to His Old Form
To be transparent, I actually don't have a lot to impart on why you should love the Chargers this season. While Philip Rivers is a good quarterback, he will never rise to the crowded level of elite QB status in all likelihood. Nevertheless, let's hope he rides the momentum the Chargers built a little too late last season to make this year interesting.
Hate - The Talent-Bleeding and Inevitable Demise of Norv Turner
It's hard out here for a Chargers front office these days. Though Rivers is no slouch, you unwittingly sold your most valuable asset, Drew Brees, to the Saints in 2006 and then Darren Sproles followed suit in 2011 with outstanding results. You continued the talent-bleeding with Vincent Jackson going to Tampa Bay this year, leaving little to rebuild with. Yet Norv Turner inexplicably gets another year to lead this team to certain playoff death, if that even becomes a possibility. Nevermind-- it's much, much harder out here for a Chargers fan.
Kansas City Chiefs
Love - Having a Healthy Team to Do Battle in a Competitive Division
Who would've predicted that a Chiefs team riding high with a 10-6 record in 2010 would come crashing down to Earth in a matter of [seeming] minutes of the 2011 season. Major injuries plagued the Chiefs' strongest players including Berry, Charles, Moeaki, Carr, Cassel and Orton to name a few. A healthy roster and an appetite to reclaim the top of the AFC West with all of the pieces in place should elevate the Chiefs' standings this year.
Hate - A Tough Schedule May Torpedo Any Arrowhead Comebacks
7 out of 16 games on the Chiefs' schedule will be against teams that made the playoffs last year. I'd argue that at least 2 others (the Panthers and Bucs) will see their stock rise this year, making for a challenging season at the very least for this recovering team. Either KC capitalizes on the resilience it showed against a phenomenal Packers team last year, or it settles for another year of mediocrity.
Oakland Raiders
Love - Any Dark Horse Potential for the AFC West
If Carson Palmer and/or Jason Campbell and/or Terrelle Pryor has a decent year managing games and if this new coaching staff can stabilize a squad that's had 10 different head coaches in the past 16 years and if the Raiders can outperform all of their AFC West brethren with a very tough schedule (see previous comments about the Chiefs), they may just have a dark horse's chance to win their division.
Hate - The Strong Likelihood That There Is No Dark Horse Potential Here
Notice all of the ifs I just mentioned? The Vegas odds aren't looking so good for the Raiders in 2012.
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