Preseason Win-Loss Predictions for Every Team: AFC West Edition

Our series continues with my preseason win-loss predictions for every NFL team this season.  Please note that I will bravely [?] refuse to change any of my projections based on the meaningless said preseason games to come, so if I look crazy later, I'm just lazy.  This time, we take a look at the AFC West:

Kansas City Chiefs
Predicted Record: 10 - 6

In A Sentence: The Chiefs pick up where they left off in 2010 with a solid roster at full strength and less balanced division rivals from which to emerge victorious.

Playoff Chances: Pretty good, although this is easily the toughest division winner to pick in the 2012 season.  I'm going to assume that Romeo Crennel can lead this restored team through a tough schedule for the AFC West crown and that Dwayne Bowe will be all too eager to play lights out before free agency hits.

Best Game: I'm looking forward to KC's divisional matchups with the Broncos, which ought to be the truest litmus test for this division's playoff spot.

Upset Pick: The Chiefs avenge the playoff rout they experienced in 2010 courtesy of the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, sparking pundit banter about their contender potential.

Denver Broncos
Predicted Record: 8 - 8

In A Sentence: While Peyton Manning's presence is a welcome change at QB, the Broncos need another year to rebuild under No. 18's complicated schematics and an easier schedule to rise back into contention.

Playoff Chances: I lean on the side of close but no cigar.  A bend-don't-break defensive approach doesn't bode well with a Manning no-huddle offense.

Best Game: The jersey may have changed, but the rivalry will be just the same when Peyton heads to Tom Brady's house in Week 5.

Upset Pick: This classification may depend on which side of 0.500 Denver finds itself on, so my David pick is beating Houston at home in Week 3.  My Goliath pick is the Saints winning despite their defensive adversities at Mile High in Week 8.

San Diego Chargers
Predicted Record: 8 - 8

In A Sentence: Life won't get any easier for the once-dominant Chargers whose divisional competition just got a lot stiffer just as the talent has started to bleed.

Playoff Chances: It wouldn't be surprising if the Chargers slid in, but it also wouldn't be surprising if they didn't.  I'm banking on the latter since they have too many holes on the roster to fill this year.

Best Game: Division rivalries aside, the Chargers have an intriguing contender in the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 as another team that has looked unstoppable at times over the past several years but just can't seem to break through in the playoffs.  Call it the "Who Wants It Less" Bowl.

Upset Pick: Assuming that the Chargers should have a winning record this season (even if that doesn't actually materialize), I think the Buccaneers will surprise them in the foreground of the pirate ship in Week 10.

Oakland Raiders
Predicted Record: 6 - 10

In A Sentence: The Raiders may not be as bad as their record will suggest, but it's crowded at their performance/talent level in the AFC West, making this the upteenth rebuilding year.

Playoff Chances: Every now and then the Raiders will surprise you, but probably not with Carson Palmer and an untested coaching staff at the helm.

Best Game: Carson Palmer returns to Cincinnati in Week 12 for the first time since being dropped by a Bengals organization that is looking pretty darn smart without him.

Upset Pick: The Raiders prove they are freakin' trying, alright?! in Week 1 against the Chargers, though the excitement soon gets sucked into a black hole of mediocrity.