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2015 NFL Preview: AFC West
By: Staff Writer - StatFox
Published: 8/23/2015  at  8:59:00 AM
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2015 NFL Preview: AFC West

The AFC West is the last division that we’ll be previewing before taking a look at the NFC next week:

DENVER BRONCOS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 12-5
ATS Record: 8-9
Over/Under: 10-7
Points Scored: 29.1 PPG (4th in NFL)
Points Allowed: 22.2 PPG (17th in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 13/1

2015 Preview:
Denver's new coaching staff is entirely versed in the zone-blocking scheme, something the Broncos dabbled in the past two seasons but will unleash in full force this year. It’s shaping up to be another committee approach as far as the running backs go, with C.J. Anderson entering the year as the leader. Gary Kubiak will have to give into Peyton Manning a bit—Kubiak’s passing game incorporates play-action and moving pockets, but Manning lacks the mobility. A lot of the principles will be the same though. The Broncos will use a lot of underneath catch-and-run stuff to compensate for Manning’s dwindling arm. The Broncos had 18 interceptions and three defensive TDs in 2014, and they return everybody in their secondary except FS Rahim Moore. They’re expected to transition to a 3-4 alignment, which has been the trademark for decades of Wade Phillips, who was hired as defensive coordinator in January.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-7
ATS Record: 10-6
Over/Under: 5-11
Points Scored: 22.1 PPG (t-15th in NFL)
Points Allowed: 17.6 PPG (2nd in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 35/1

2015 Preview:
The Chiefs are built around the ground game, as basically everything they do works off of Jamaal Charles. It’s a hybrid blocking scheme that uses Charles in a variety of ways, both outside the tackles and inside, where his combination of agility and surprising power makes him effective. It’s a smoke-and-mirrors passing game that relies on a lot of play-action and misdirection with Alex Smith often moving around. They’re at their best utilizing the screen game, especially when they can get Charles out in space. Travis Kelce figures to see more playing time despite his struggles as a blocker. He’s used on a series of routes, from deep up the seam to tight end screens. Jeremy Maclin steps in as their No. 1 receiver, and he’ll be asked to do a lot of catch-and-run work. The Chiefs racked up 46 sacks in 2014, with a whopping 22 of them coming from star OLB Justin Houston, but no NFL team intercepted fewer passes last season than the paltry six Kansas City picked off. S Tyvon Branch and first-round pick CB Marcus Peters will be counted on to improve that number.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-13
ATS Record: 8-8
Over/Under: 10-6
Points Scored: 15.8 PPG (31st in NFL)
Points Allowed: 28.2 PPG (32nd in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 90/1

2015 Preview:
The Raiders are going old-school with their offensive staff, with new coordinator Bill Musgrave and offensive line coach Mike Tice stepping in to tutor a young offense. Tice has overseen a variety of schemes over the years, but Oakland is probably going to go heavy with gap blocking this year. Latavius Murray will get a chance to run away with the feature back job; he earned rave reviews running in practices in recent years before breaking out late last season. Musgrave won’t be making any drastic changes to the passing game. Like last year, this is going to be rooted in a West Coast system. Amari Cooper will be used on a variety of routes, but especially the screen game and anything that puts him in catch-and-run situations. Michael Crabtree will run more underneath possession routes. Andre Holmes is a situational deep threat. The Raiders swapped out MLB Nick Roach and S Tyvon Branch for MLB Curtis Lofton and S Nate Allen this offseason, but there’s no guarantee that such moves will qualify as upgrades. The biggest positive was the signing of DT Dan Williams, who is a true run-plugger at nose tackle.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-7
ATS Record: 7-9
Over/Under: 7-9
Points Scored: 21.7 PPG (17th in NFL)
Points Allowed: 21.7 PPG (12th in NFL)
Odds to Win Super Bowl 50: 40/1

2015 Preview:
The Chargers are a bit of a chameleon team in that they will go run-heavy when needed, shifting their identity from week to week. They will often lean heavily on a power blocking scheme installed by veteran line coach Joe D’Alessandris. They have the big bodies up front, and potentially the power back to replace Ryan Mathews in first-round pick Melvin Gordon. The rookie should step in as the bell-cow from Day 1, with smallish Branden Oliver his direct back-up. The Chargers utilize the no-huddle to get Philip Rivers a chance to diagnose defenses before the snap, something he excels at. Rivers makes most of his reads pre-snap in an offense predicated on getting the ball out quickly. Keenan Allen is the clear-cut No. 1, though Rivers is more than willing to go away from him when defenses roll coverage his way. They should go three receivers often, with Malcom Floyd stretching the field and Stevie Johnson creating mismatches underneath; he and Allen are outstanding route runners who can both play the slot. Antonio Gates is still a prominent weapon, though he has hinted at a reduced role with Ladarius Green rotating in more often. Gates is also suspended to start the season. The Chargers ranked ninth in total defense and tied for 13th in scoring defense a year ago, but it’s a unit that doesn’t make enough big plays. Only five NFL teams had fewer takeaways than San Diego in 2014, and only three intercepted fewer passes.


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