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1. Denver Broncos

Predicted Finish: 9-7

Last Season:

Insight: The Bronocs will rely on the rookie from Florida, Clinton Portis to handle most of the running chores now that Terrell Davis has retired. That will put more pressure on Brian Griese to perform much better than he did last year, and he probably will, with Ed McCaffrey back in tandem with Rod Smith at wide receiver. The Broncos also regained the services of TE Shannon Sharpe from Baltimore, so the passing attack should be solid. On defense, the Broncos are a fairly well-traveled unit with plenty of veterans. Bill Romanowski has departed for Oakland and the overall technique of the linebacking group will fall off, but not much. He will be replaced by Ian Gold. The secondary is still a weak spot, so except more than the fair share of shootouts at Mile High this season. Overall, the Broncos have enough talent and depth to win the division, but not much more.

Key Games: Sept. 8, St. Louis; Sept. 15, at SF - not an easy way to start the season. The schedule actually gets easier as they move forward, closing with Kansas City, at Oakland and Arizona.

2. San Diego Chargers

Predicted Finish: 8-8

Last Season: 5-11

Insight: Chargers' Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer made the right call in naming Drew Brees his starter for the season. Not that the decision to start Brees over Flutie was ever in doubt, but Brees, a standout in college (All-American at Purdue), sat all of last year while the Chargers were losing their last 9 straight games when he could have been gaining valuable experience. That lack of game experience will hurt, but Brees looked poised in the one game in which he did get in last season, rallying the Bolts against KC after Flutie was knocked out. Brees also has a trio of recievers: Tim Dwight, Curtis Conway and Reche Caldwell (rookie from Florida), plus tight end Stephen Alexander - acquired from Washington - to hook up with. In the backfield, LaDainian Tomlinson should be bulked up and ready to improve upon an outstanding rookie season - fi he stays healthy. Defensively, the Chargers have the makings of a high-quality unit, led by Junior Seau, who provides leadership and on-field tenacity. The defensive line will be bolstered by the return of Marcus Wiley, who sat out last season with injuries. The Bolts have an outside shot of winning the division if Denver falters.

Key Games: Oct. 6, at Denver; Nov. 10, at St. Louis; Nov. 24, at Miami - three road games against quality opposition should reveal if the Chargers are for real.

3. Oakland Raiders

Predicted Finish: 7-9

Last Season: The Raiders were able to cruise through the AFC last season thanks to injuries, rebuilding and bad decisions on the part of other teams in the conference. This season will be different. Haed Coach Jon Gruden is gone, and with him much of the fire and spirit the Raiders thrived upon - and the balance on offense. Jerry Rice and Tim Brown are both a year older and cannot explode like they used to, but Rich Gannon is still as cagy and smart as ever. How much production they can get out of Charlie Garner and Tyrone Wheatley in the running game is also questionable. The defense was a sore spot last season, especially up front, and little has been done to improve upon the linebacking. The Raiders gave up almost 2,000 yards rushing (average of 4.6 per carry) last season and that trend must end if they are even going to be close to .500. The secondary is solid, but that's simply ot enough.

Insight:

Key Games: Sept. 15, at Pittsburgh; Nov. 11, at Denver, Nov. 18, New England - could be losses 6 and 7.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

Predicted Finish: 6-10

Last Season: 6-10

Insight: Dick Vermiel should have stayed with the Rams, because rebuilding the Chiefs is a real chore. QB Trent Green is not going to win many games for you, in fact, he will lose more with bonehead decisions and bad throws. Backup Joe Germaine is untested, so the Chiefs may be stuck with Green. Priest Holmes is the spearhead of the offense, gaining 1555 yards last season. But the passing game needs more than TE Tony Gonzalez. Eddie Kennison and Johnny Morton are the wideouts, but they are only average. The defense, which used to be one of the best, has been deteriorating for years. They simply give up too many big plays to stay in games.

Key Games: at San Diego, Oct. 13 - should be a litmus test for the whole team; Nov. 17, Buffalo - another team they can compete with.

LINKS PRO FOOTBALL HOME AFC EAST AFC NORTH AFC SOUTH AFC WEST NFC EAST NFC NORTH NFC SOUTH NFC WEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL HOME SPORTS HOME	1. Denver Broncos Predicted Finish: 9-7 Last Season: Insight: The Bronocs will rely on the rookie from Florida, Clinton Portis to handle most of the running chores now that Terrell Davis has retired. That will put more pressure on Brian Griese to perform much better than he did last year, and he probably will, with Ed McCaffrey back in tandem with Rod Smith at wide receiver. The Broncos also regained the services of TE Shannon Sharpe from Baltimore, so the passing attack should be solid. On defense, the Broncos are a fairly well-traveled unit with plenty of veterans. Bill Romanowski has departed for Oakland and the overall technique of the linebacking group will fall off, but not much. He will be replaced by Ian Gold. The secondary is still a weak spot, so except more than the fair share of shootouts at Mile High this season. Overall, the Broncos have enough talent and depth to win the division, but not much more. Key Games: Sept. 8, St. Louis; Sept. 15, at SF - not an easy way to start the season. The schedule actually gets easier as they move forward, closing with Kansas City, at Oakland and Arizona.
	2. San Diego Chargers Predicted Finish: 8-8 Last Season: 5-11 Insight: Chargers' Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer made the right call in naming Drew Brees his starter for the season. Not that the decision to start Brees over Flutie was ever in doubt, but Brees, a standout in college (All-American at Purdue), sat all of last year while the Chargers were losing their last 9 straight games when he could have been gaining valuable experience. That lack of game experience will hurt, but Brees looked poised in the one game in which he did get in last season, rallying the Bolts against KC after Flutie was knocked out. Brees also has a trio of recievers: Tim Dwight, Curtis Conway and Reche Caldwell (rookie from Florida), plus tight end Stephen Alexander - acquired from Washington - to hook up with. In the backfield, LaDainian Tomlinson should be bulked up and ready to improve upon an outstanding rookie season - fi he stays healthy. Defensively, the Chargers have the makings of a high-quality unit, led by Junior Seau, who provides leadership and on-field tenacity. The defensive line will be bolstered by the return of Marcus Wiley, who sat out last season with injuries. The Bolts have an outside shot of winning the division if Denver falters. Key Games: Oct. 6, at Denver; Nov. 10, at St. Louis; Nov. 24, at Miami - three road games against quality opposition should reveal if the Chargers are for real.
	3. Oakland Raiders Predicted Finish: 7-9 Last Season: The Raiders were able to cruise through the AFC last season thanks to injuries, rebuilding and bad decisions on the part of other teams in the conference. This season will be different. Haed Coach Jon Gruden is gone, and with him much of the fire and spirit the Raiders thrived upon - and the balance on offense. Jerry Rice and Tim Brown are both a year older and cannot explode like they used to, but Rich Gannon is still as cagy and smart as ever. How much production they can get out of Charlie Garner and Tyrone Wheatley in the running game is also questionable. The defense was a sore spot last season, especially up front, and little has been done to improve upon the linebacking. The Raiders gave up almost 2,000 yards rushing (average of 4.6 per carry) last season and that trend must end if they are even going to be close to .500. The secondary is solid, but that's simply ot enough. Insight: Key Games: Sept. 15, at Pittsburgh; Nov. 11, at Denver, Nov. 18, New England - could be losses 6 and 7.
	4. Kansas City Chiefs Predicted Finish: 6-10 Last Season: 6-10 Insight: Dick Vermiel should have stayed with the Rams, because rebuilding the Chiefs is a real chore. QB Trent Green is not going to win many games for you, in fact, he will lose more with bonehead decisions and bad throws. Backup Joe Germaine is untested, so the Chiefs may be stuck with Green. Priest Holmes is the spearhead of the offense, gaining 1555 yards last season. But the passing game needs more than TE Tony Gonzalez. Eddie Kennison and Johnny Morton are the wideouts, but they are only average. The defense, which used to be one of the best, has been deteriorating for years. They simply give up too many big plays to stay in games. Key Games: at San Diego, Oct. 13 - should be a litmus test for the whole team; Nov. 17, Buffalo - another team they can compete with.