Beware of Your NFL Betting Pick in the AFC West

With a traditional power in the midst of an offseason of turmoil, who should be your NFL Betting Pick in the AFC West?

Let’s take a look.

San Diego Chargers (-325): Strictly looking at the talent on these rosters, the San Diego Chargers have to be the pick in the AFC West.

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They return a Pro Bowl quarterback in Philip Rivers, skill position talent and a strong defense. But if you look deeper, the Chargers may not be all they seem to be on the surface.

That’s because, San Diego’s front office is still in contract negotiations with two key players:  Last year’s leading wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who had 68 catches for 1,167 yards, and left tackle Marcus McNeill.

Reports surfaced Thursday that each could hold out well into the season.

That will only put added pressure on recently re-signed tight end Antonio Gates (79 catches, 1,157 yards in 2009) and rookie running back Ryan Matthews, who’ll handle most of the carries at running back.

The Chargers may be the favorites in the AFC West, but it isn’t by as wide a margin as many think. Keep that in mind when making your NFL Betting Pick.

Denver Broncos (+600): After starting out last season an impressive 6-0, many expected the Broncos to end up with the AFC West crown. However, a 2-8 finish left them with a disappointing .500 record.

Now- much like the Chargers- Denver enters this season with questions, mainly who’ll replace wide receiver Brandon Marshall, and his 101 catches from last season.

The man expected to see plenty of touches is rookie wide receiver DeMaryius Thomas. At quarterback, Kyle Orton is the presumed starter, after throwing for 3,802 yards and 21 touchdowns last year.

He’ll have to fend off veteran Brady Quinn and rookie Tim Tebow for that honor though.

Luckily for head coach Josh McDaniels, the cupboard is hardly bare on defense. Defensive end Elvis Dumervil returns at defensive end, after leading the NFL with 17 sacks last year, with D.J. Williams returning at linebacker as last year’s leading tackler.

With San Diego’s woes already documented, many believe this division could be Denver’s for the taking. We’ll find out in just a few weeks.

Kansas City Chiefs (+700): The biggest additions that Chiefs coach Todd Haley made this past off-season, were signings for his staff, bringing in heralded coordinators Charlie Weis on offense (former head coach at Notre Dame) and Romeo Crennel (Ex-head coach of the Cleveland Browns) to run his defense.

Speaking of additions, Chiefs fans are thrilled with safety Eric Berry, a ball-hawking menace, who’ll immediately upgrade the talent in the defensive backfield as a rookie.

On offense Matt Cassel will look to improve from a 2009 season that saw him throw 16 interceptions.

He’ll have help courtesy of 1,000 yard rusher Jamaal Charles and receivers Chris Chambers and Dwayne Bowe.

Oakland Raiders (+750): The Oakland Raiders can’t possibly win this division, can they? Looking at their roster, there’s no reason to think they can’t.

Obviously everything starts with quarterback Jason Campbell, who will be playing his first season in Oakland after several years with the Redskins.

While the 20 TD’s and 15 INT’s Campbell threw last year in Washington hardly make him a Pro Bowler, it’s still a massive upgrade over the departed JaMarcus Russell. Tight end Zach Miller returns as last year’s leading receiver with 66 catches.

On defense, look for the Raiders to be much improved, thanks to rookie linebacker Rolando McClain, a leader on the University of Alabama’s championship team last year.

He’ll join a young but talented unit, led by defensive tackle Richard Seymour, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and safety Tyvon Branch.

Yes the Raiders are a long shot, but in the wide open AFC West anything is possible.

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