DENVER BRONCOS
NFL futures odds: +600
It's been quite the rollercoaster just one year into the Josh McDaniels era. Most sports betting sharps wrote them off entirely at the start of 2009; then they went 6-0 to start the year, largely on the strength of Elvis Dumervil and their powerhouse pass rush. But then the wheels fell off; they couldn't stop the run and Kyle Orton started being Kyle Orton again.
The Broncos hit the reset button for 2010. Brandon Marshall, their stud receiver, is off to Miami. To rebuild their offense (around Knowshon Moreno, the only useful piece), they took the plunge on Tim Tebow and drafted some young wideouts too. But even if Tebow turns out to be the second coming, it won't happen this year. The Broncos won't accomplish much in 2010.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
NFL futures odds: +750
The Chiefs find themselves in similar waters to the Broncos in that they're slowly assembling pieces but still probably aren't ready to make a major move up the standings. Charlie Weis should know how to make the most of pieces like Matt Cassel, Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones as the new offensive co-ordinator.
Kansas City is also making a habit of taking defensive prospects in the first round. But they won't grow teeth overnight. The Chiefs still need another year for Eric Berry and Tyson Jackson to develop – and we still don't know if Cassel can be the man behind center even when that happens.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
NFL futures odds: +700
For the first time since Rich Gannon took snaps for them, the Raiders look like they have a chance to be mildly competitive this year. Finally, they made a safe first-round draft pick. Linebacker Rolando McClain has the tools to be a defensive leader for years. The Raiders were already underrated defensively against the pass thanks to Nnamdi Asomugha; maybe McClain, who should start, could bolster the run "D."
Oakland should score more now that they've shoved JaMarcus Russell out the door. Jason Campbell isn't anything special but he's efficient and he should make guys like Zach Miller and Darren McFadden a lot better. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Raiders win six or seven games and finish second in the West.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
NFL futures odds: -333
You know you play in a cupcake division when you lose your starting left tackle and Pro Bowl wide receiver and are still favored to run away with it. Marcus McNeill and Vincent Jackson both look like they'll hold out for the first 10 games of 2010 but Phillip Rivers is still the man in their offense. He has Antonio Gates and the Chargers' running game should improve via rookie Ryan Mathews. They didn't trade up to draft a guy for their bench.
The Chargers defend the pass pretty well but struggle against the run. That could give them some minor headaches against Moreno, Charles and McFadden (or Michael Bush) in divisional play but San Diego is still the team to beat in this division by a mile.
You know what to do. Chargers all the way.
