Bolts Leading the Way in AFC’s Most Competitive Division
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

NFL MIDSEASON REPORTS – AFC WEST
Before the season began, Football Outsiders projected that the AFC West would feature three of the five best teams in the NFL. The division hasn’t been quite that good, but it still might send three teams into the playoffs.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (6–2)
According to play-by-play breakdown, San Diego, not Indianapolis, is the AFC’s best team so far. The Chargers rank first in points scored and sixth in points allowed, and both of their losses were close games decided by a field goal.2004 first-round pick Philip Rivers had never started an NFL game until this season, but he’s already one of the top signal callers in the league, ranked fifth in passer rating and second in completion percentage.
Despite a slow start, LaDainian Tomlinson is second in the league in rushing yardage. He’s averaging 4.9 yards a carry — his highest since 2003 — and is on pace to shatter his career high in touchdowns. When Tomlinson needs a break, the Chargers bring in Michael Turner, the best second-string back in the NFL, and his 6.5 yards a carry average.
The Chargers are equally good on defense. They aren’t stopping the run quite as well as last year, but their pass rush is as ferocious as ever, and there are signs of improvement in San Diego’s weakest unit, the secondary. In particular, rookie Antonio Cromartie may not be the longterm project we all expected; he’s already playing well as the nickelback, and may even move into the starting lineup in the second half.
Personnel problems in the front seven are the one reason for pessimism. Defensive end Igor Olshansky and linebacker Shaun Phillips have been sidelined by injuries, and linebacker Shawne Merriman was suspended for four games for a positive drug test. But the Chargers have the easiest second-half schedule in the division, and they’ll get Merriman back for all of December.
DENVER BRONCOS (6–2)
Denver started the year 5–1 despite the significant struggles of veteran quarterback Jake Plummer. The Broncos overcame Plummer’s ineptitude with a defense that looked like the league’s best, allowing just two touchdowns through six games.
But that defense was a bit of a mirage. The Broncos were allowing plenty of yards, but forcing a field goal every time the opposition would get past the 20-yard line. This couldn’t last, and it didn’t: The Broncos allowed more points in their next two games than they did in the first six.
The good news for Denver is that Plummer came out of his slump just as the defense was reverting to its usual above-average self. Wide receiver Javon Walker, acquired by trade from Green Bay, has been magnificent. But the rest of the offense has some question marks. Veteran Rod Smith is finally showing his age, and the tight ends have been lousy.
Denver is known for interchangeable running backs, but not interchangeable left tackles, so a season-ending injury to Matt Lepsis could be a big problem. Lepsis had started every game since 1999 but one, and while his absence didn’t cause a problem against the porous Indianapolis defense, it was a big reason why Denver running backs were limited to 37 yards on 20 carries against Pittsburgh.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5–3)
When starting quarterback Trent Green suffered a significant concussion during a Week 1 loss to Cincinnati, it looked like Kansas City’s season was done before it started. The team was already in trouble because both offensive tackles had retired in the off-season, and backup quarterback Damon Huard had not started an NFL game in six years.
But slowly, something strange started happening in Kansas City. Huard has become one of the league’s better quarterbacks. The Chiefs are actually playing strong defense for the first time in years and have won three straight to throw themselves back into the playoff discussion.
One big part of the turnaround is the re-emergence of running back Larry Johnson, who many people expected to challenge Eric Dickerson’s record for rushing yardage in a season. Instead, partly because of his own mistakes and partly because of inexperience on the line, he averaged just 3.4 yards a carry through the first five weeks and scored just four times. But in Week 6 against San Diego, Johnson suddenly became dominant again, and in the past three games, he has gained 4.9 yards a carry with seven touchdowns.
Meanwhile, years of drafting defensive talent and signing free agents is finally paying off. With Patrick Surtain and Ty Law, the Chiefs finally have a pair of cornerbacks who won’t get left in the dust every time Gunther Cunningham’s blitz schemes leave them in man coverage. Jared Allen is one of the best defensive ends in the league, linebacker Derrick Johnson is blossoming in his second year, and rookie Tamba Hali has been very good.
Right now, the biggest question surrounding the Chiefs is what will become of Green. He’s a week or two away from being truly healthy, but will he get his job back?
OAKLAND RAIDERS (2–6)
The once-proud Raiders have become the laughingstock of the league, with one of the worst offenses in NFL history. The main culprit is an abysmal offensive line, which leads all lines in penalties and sacks. Left tackle Robert Gallery, chosen one pick after Eli Manning in the 2004 draft, now looks like one of the top five draft busts in NFL history.
With no blocking, the Raiders’ highlypaid stars are completely wasted. The constant pressure makes it impossible to tell if second-year quarterback Andrew Walter is any good, and there’s no point in having a wide receiver like Randy Moss if your quarterback can’t stay upright long enough to get him the ball.
The offense is so hideous that nobody has noticed Oakland building a talented young defense. Warren Sapp is the only starter older than 28. Derrick Burgess may be the top pass-rusher in the league, linebackers Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard are playing well, and rookie safety Michael Huff looks excellent. Young cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Nnamdi Asomugha are improving each week and were a big reason why the Raiders beat Pittsburgh despite just 17 net passing yards from Walter and company.
Projected order of finish: San Diego (13–3), Denver (11–5, wild card), Kansas City (11–5, wild card), Oakland (4–12).
Mr. Schatz is the editor in chief of FootballOutsiders.com.