The NFL season begins in less than two weeks, which is later than usual and still sooner than one realizes. We thought we’d take a look at each NFL division over the next fortnight, a scattershot glimpse that will be more updated than the magazine you grabbed before your flight but far less informative and helpful. Today: the AFC West!
AFC WEST
1. San Diego Chargers. (Projected record: 9-7)
Most important player: Philip Rivers.
Top newcomer: Ryan Mathews.
Person to root against: Shawne Merriman.
Fictional organizational factoid: The famous “powder blue” uniforms got their name because of the unusually high amounts of cocaine found in Dan Fouts’ beard.
Celebrity fan: Phil Mickelson.
Games against NY teams: None.
2. Denver Broncos. (Projected record: 7-9)
Most important player: Knowshon Moreno.
Top newcomer: Tim Tebow.
Person to root against: Josh McDaniels.
Fictional organizational factoid: Owner Pat Bowlen’s wife Annabel was discovered as an extra in a Tim Burton film, though she had not been cast: She was just wandering around on set and no one noticed she was in several scenes
Celebrity fan: Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Games against NY teams: Week 6, October 17, vs. Jets.
3. Oakland Raiders. (Projected record: 7-9)
Most important player: Nnamdi Asomugha.
Top newcomer: Jason Campbell.
Person to root against: Sebastian Janikowski.
Fictional organizational factoid: Al Davis is actually only 43 years old.
Celebrity fan: Ice Cube.
Games against NY teams: None.
4. Kansas City Chiefs. (Projected record: 4-12)
Most important player: Matt Cassel.
Top newcomer: Thomas Jones/Eric Berry.
Person to root against: Todd Haley.
Fictional organizational factoid: The Great Googly Moogly guy was right: The actual nickname of the team is the “Chefs,” because the team was founded in Sweden.
Celebrity fan: Paul Rudd.
Games against NY teams: None.