2012 NFL Predictions (AFC West)

1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6): If not for several injuries to key players in 2011, the Chiefs would have had a chance at making the playoffs for the second year in a row. Stars Eric Berry and Jamaal Charles return from season ending injuries, and will only help the Chiefs record in 2012. On paper, Kansas City has one of the best teams in the NFL, and will dominate the not-so-talented AFC West.

Jamaal Charles

Week 1: Falcons @ Chiefs L

Week 2: Bills @ Chiefs L

Week 3: Chiefs @ Saints L

Week 4: Chargers @ Chiefs W

Week 5: Ravens @ Chiefs W

Week 6: Chiefs @ Buccaneers W

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Raiders @ Chiefs W

Week 9: Chiefs @ Chargers L

Week 10: Chiefs @ Steelers L

Week 11: Bengals @ Chiefs W

Week 12: Chiefs @ Broncos W

Week 13: Panthers @ Chiefs W

Week 14: Chiefs @ Browns W

Week 15: Chiefs @ Raiders W

Week 16: Colts @ Chiefs W

Week 17: Chiefs @ Broncos L

2. San Diego Chargers (10-6): After winning the divisional championship four years in a row ('06-'09), the Chargers missed a spot in the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Philip Rivers had a disappointing 2011 run (by his standards), passing for a career-high 20 interceptions as well as unable to lead his team into the playoffs. Now that his favorite target in Vincent Jackson has left for sunny Tampa, Rivers is left with Malcolm Floyd, Robert Meachem, and Eddie Royal (still a great receiving corp). The Chargers drafted linebacker Melvin Ingram in order to enhance their all round defense. Head coach Norv Turner is on the hot seat, and yet another unsuccessful season would not be good for his job.

Ryan Mathews

Week 1: Chargers @ Raiders L

Week 2: Titans @ Chargers W

Week 3: Falcons @ Chargers L

Week 4: Chargers @ Chiefs L

Week 5: Chargers @ Saints L

Week 6: Broncos @ Chargers W

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Chargers @ Browns W

Week 9: Chiefs @ Chargers W

Week 10: Chargers @ Buccaneers W

Week 11: Chargers @ Broncos L

Week 12: Ravens @ Chargers W

Week 13: Bengals @ Chargers L

Week 14: Chargers @ Steelers W

Week 15: Panthers @ Chargers W

Week 16: Chargers @ Jets W

Week 17: Raiders @ Chargers W

3. Denver Broncos (8-8): Possibly the biggest question entering Week 1 is how Peyton Manning will play with one year removed from the NFL. According to Manning, the neck is not feeling 100%, something the Broncos are not happy to here from their million-dollar-man. In 2010, he may have put up obscene statistics, but the Colts went just 10-6. It would be hard to convince me that a neck injury at age 36 will help improve his play dramatically enough to make the playoffs once again. The defense has its stars, but overall would not be considered a top 10 squad. Denver: Manning will not be able to solve all of your problems.   

Von Miller

Week 1: Steelers @ Broncos W

Week 2: Broncos @ Falcons L

Week 3: Texans @ Broncos W

Week 4: Raiders @ Broncos W

Week 5: Broncos @ Patriots L

Week 6: Broncos @ Chargers L

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Saints @ Broncos W

Week 9: Broncos @ Bengals L

Week 10: Broncos @ Panthers L

Week 11: Chargers @ Broncos W

Week 12: Broncos @ Chiefs L

Week 13: Buccaneers @ Broncos W

Week 14: Broncos @ Raiders L

Week 15: Broncos @ Ravens L

Week 16: Browns @ Broncos W

Week 17: Chiefs @ Broncos W

4. Oakland Raiders (6-10): If only Darren McFadden could just stay HEALTHY! In the seven games in which he played last season, McFadden averaged 5.4 yards per carry before suffering a Lisfranc fracture in Week 7. Oakland also lost their longtime GM AL Davis, who died at age 82 from heart complications. The Raiders organization is not quite stable enough to make a deep playoff run, especially if their defense and passing game do not improve.

Shane Lechler

Week 1: Chargers @ Raiders W
Week 2: Raiders @ Dolphins L
Week 3: Steelers @ Raiders L
Week 4: Raiders @ Broncos L
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Raiders @ Falcons L
Week 7: Jaguars @ Raiders W
Week 8: Raiders @ Chiefs L
Week 9: Buccaneers @ Raiders W
Week 10: Raiders @ Ravens L
Week 11: Saints @ Raiders W
Week 12: Raiders @ Bengals L
Week 13: Browns @ Raiders W
Week 14: Broncos @ Raiders W
Week 15: Chiefs @ Raiders L
Week 16: Raiders @ Panthers L
Week 17: Raiders @ Chargers L