Denver Broncos -
Curt - 1st - You know, I hate this team. Oakland and Denver, I can't stand either of them… but I have to give credit where credit is due. Shanahan has done a phenomenal job in Denver drafting and building his team. How would you like to have his problems? Your defense is fine, will hold most teams to 20 or fewer points, you have the best kicker in the league who tied the all time record, you are moving into a new stadium this year, probably the best WR duo in the league… The only question mark is Brian Griese, after only 1 productive year, will he be able to repeat it? Surprised that I said that the QB was the question mark? Why not? Thinking RB? With names like Davis, Anderson, and Gary, I wouldn't be worried. Whoever you put in the backfield is going to get his 100+ yards.

Eric - 1st - Denver is the team to beat in the West. If there was one division that needs abolished from the NFL, it's the West. Maybe we can ban them from the NFL and they could be the next XFL. X standing for excluded!! The Broncos have 3 top notch RB's, 1 heck of a 1-2 WR punch, a solid QB, and a very good defense. They aren't the best team in the league, or their conference, but they are just 1 notch above a division that is transforming. They need to watch their backs, some teams are retooling and rebuilding. Take advantage while they can.

Seattle Seahawks -
Curt - 2nd - I would love to see the Hawks go up over the Raiders, and I don't see why it can't happen. This team obviously had the best draft in the NFL this season, plus their free agent picks have not been bad at all. Matt Hasslebeck must be something great if Holmgren has pushed on 2 different teams to pick him up. He better be right, because the un-proven Brock Huard is backing him up. I also think this is going to be the time for Shaun Alexander to start shining. Watters is still a great teacher for him, but I think the youthfulness is going to bring Alexander to start by week 6 or 7. Darrell Jackson returns, and starting beside him will be the lightning quick rookie Koren Robinson. This is what they've been missing, SPEED on the outside. Plus picking up John Randle on defense will pick up a little of the slack that will be there now that Tez is gone.

Eric - 3rd - Starting to put together a fine team, but they lack that game breaker WR. Even if they land Jerry Rice, they don't have that over the top receiver. Defense is still a little shaky, and Hasselbeck will need time to learn and gel.

Oakland Raiders -
Curt - 3rd - GRRRRR… can't stand these guys either. Well, Charlie Garner will be happy here, which is something that everybody in the West should be aware of. But I don't think they need to be afraid. I was thinking about the defenses in the NFC that he ran against while in SF: ATL, STL, NO, CAR… none of these teams (except maybe NO) boasted any kind of great defense last year. Now look in the AFC: SEA, DEN, SD, KC… I think the first time he is introduced to Romo or Chad Brown, he might turn crying to uncle Al Davis. But I think they will likely do ok, because Gannon is still the #1 man.

Eric - 2nd - I hate the Raiders, but Al Davis has a heck of a team brewing. The one thing that holds this team back from being number 1, and I'm not saying this out of hate, is Charlie Garner. He is not Napolean Kaufman, nor can he replace him. Garner was in paradise in San Fran and will find running in the AFC West a lot more difficult.

San Diego -
Curt - 4th - Man, I love Doug Flutie and LaDainian Tomlinson here, but I'm not sure what they will be able to accomplish. I understand that the tempo and the basic attitude on the team has been good now that Leaf is gone, and I'm sure that will keep them in a few more games that they lost last year, but the rest of the talent in the West is going to get the better of them, I think.

Eric - 4th - The Chargers are now cancer free (no offense meant here) now that Leaf is gone. The team needs to shake off the last 3 years and claim itself as a new team, new identity. Flutie and Tomlinson, Norv Turner, and the wild card in the whole draft day trade….my boy Timmy Dwight from Iowa!!! He is fast and their game breaker they need. Watch this team, they might creep up to 3rd.

Kansas City -
Curt - 5th - The only thing the Chiefs have going for them is a QB that they can build around. But that's just it, they are going to be building for a while, I think.

Eric - 5th - The Chiefs get a big fat pthhhhh!! As in pathetic!!! The team is rebuilding, actually, they are still tearing down. They have Trent Green to Alexander and Gonzalez. Shut those 2 down, and the game is over. Morris is developing, but he's not a huge threat yet. No running game. And the Chiefs have been crying for far too long, so Chief fans aren't going to be very sympathetic.