AFC West

The Chiefs return 21 of 22 starters to a team that went 13-3 a year ago, sothey have to be favored in the AFC West and are widely viewed as an offensethat will challenge the Indianapolis Colts for point-scoring supremacy thisseason. The return of their former head coach Gunther Cunningham should seea more aggressive blitz-orientated approach that will take the players somegetting used to. He has his work cut out to get a defense that was last inthe league two years ago and 29th last season into shape. Denver need tofind a replacement for back Clinton Portis. That won’t be easy for a guywho rushed for 1,500 yards each of the past two seasons and was effectivein the passing game as well. Bad news for Oakland fans was Tim Brown havingto be cut due to salary capping, after playing a record 240 games for thefranchise. His departure could be a blow to morale? The Manning’s decisionnot to allow their son play in San Diego exposed fully the problems of theChargers!