AFC West

San Diego Chargers
Can Norv Turner finally succeed?
Not on his own. The Chargers may reach the AFC title game, but it's won't be because of Turner. And don’t expect Turner to win a Super Bowl. This team is loaded and will win a lot of games. But they are going to lose some because of their head coach — especially when it counts.

How many touchdowns will L.T. score?
As many a he wants. This, folks, is the NFL's best player. Yes, Peyton Manning is beyond special and is now super. But LaDanian Tomlinson is the best. He scored 31 total touchdowns last season, which was an NFL record. In this offense, Tomlinson could score even more. In fact watch for L.T. to make a push for 2,000 rushing yards.

Will Philip Rivers improve?

Denis Poroy / AP file Philip Rivers

Yes. For all things you can say about Turner’s struggles as a head coach — and that's a lot — his offensive tutoring ability cannot be denied. This is an excellent quarterback coach. Rivers will excel under Turner’s tutelage. Rivers was inconsistent in his first season as a starter, but he showed great promise. And he has a great supporting cast. That helps.

Can San Diego shake the sting of its playoff loss?
The entire city was thinking Super Bowl last January. With just a few minutes remaining against New England, the Chargers were one win away. Then, somehow, they lost. It set a chain reaction of moves resulting in Marty Schottenheimer’s firing. The players loved Marty, and they know the home loss to the Patriots was a big reason why he was axed. Thus, this loss may be hard to shake for an extended period of time.

Denver Broncos
Will Jay Cutler lead this team to the promised land?
Cutler is trying to join the ranks of guys like Dan Marino, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger as quarterbacks who led their teams to a Super Bowl in their second season. Cutler played in the Broncos’ last five games last season. And now, the job is all his. He has the look of one who’ll succeed thanks his big-time confidence and rocket arm. This guy will likely end up in the playoffs in his first full season as a starter. The Super Bowl? In the tough AFC, that may be too much to ask.

Can Travis Henry be a 1,500 yard rusher?
Yes, and will be. The Broncos brought in 14 veterans this offseason, including big ticket players Dre’ Bly, Jarvis Moss and Daniel Graham. But Henry, who was underrated in Buffalo and Tennessee, is the key. He is the best running back in Denver since Terrell Davis. Denver had running success with the likes of Reuben Droughns, Clinton Portis and Tatum Bell. But Henry is both extremely talented and he fits the system. The Broncos think could lead the league in rushing. They could be right.

Can the team shake the deaths of Darrent Williams and Damien Nash?
The two 24-year-olds will be on the minds of the team this season and beyond. But because the deaths were early in the year, the Broncos have had time to reflect and mourn. Watch for the memories of those two players to motivate this team all season. 

Just how good is Champ Bailey?

Brian Bahr / Getty Images Champ Bailey

Bailey is a top-five player. We’re not talking a top five cornerback. He’s one of the top five players in the NFL, period. He's scary good. Bailey shuts down the entire left side of the field. No one throws Bailey’s way — 30 times total last season for 10 interceptions. Plus, he a lights out tackler and a leader. In short, Bailey is a future Hall of Famer.

Kansas City Chiefs
What's the plan?
Who knows? When Herm Edwards was hired in early 2006, he was told that the Chiefs wanted to rebuild and he had three years to do it. But Herm couldn't have pictured Year Two going like this. The Chiefs have broken down the roster and there is very little there. This was a playoff team last year, but there are major holes everywhere. It will be a long rebuilding job.

Is Brodie Croyle the answer at quarterback?
No. Not yet. He may be good in the future. Some coaches really like his potential. But the second-year player has no chance to succeed this year. He's too green, which means the Chiefs should have kept Trent Green for another year.

Will Larry Johnson carry the team?

Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images file Larry Johnson

He has to. Johnson is just 27 and in the prime of his career after running for 1,789 yards last year on an NFL record 416 carries. He is the Chiefs. The Chiefs realized this and re-signed Johnson. But he can't do it all.

Can this team win six games?
Did you read the first three answers? This team is in dire straits. It’s a shame, too because Edwards is a good coach, there are some decent players here and the great fans of Kansas City deserve more. This grand scheme may work down the road, but for right now, the Chiefs look more like a contender for the No. 1 draft pick than for a return to the postseason.

Oakland Raiders
Is Lane Kiffin really the coaching answer?
No. Kiffin, who turned 32 in May, could be a nice head coach down the line — if Al Davis doesn’t destroy him. But the NFL's youngest-ever coach has too much to worry about to succeed. This is a revolving door job. Plus, he is not ready. A week before getting the Raiders job, Kiffin was bypassed by the University of Minnesota. He wasn’t good enough for a bottom rung Big Ten school, but he was the right man for an NFL team?

How long until JaMarcus Russell takes over at QB?

Ben Margot / AP JaMarcus Russell and Raiders coach Lane Kiffin

The second half of the season. Daunte Culpepper will play right away, but he still isn’t completely healthy. Wait for the Raiders to throw in the towel and begin the Russell era. Getting him behind center as soon as possible is a great thing because it gets the No. 1 overall pick some experience.

Can Jerry Porter behave himself?
Yes. First, this is a contract year for Porter, so he’ll be motivated. Plus, Art Shell is gone, so Porter’s biggest nemesis is out of the picture. Randy Moss is also gone, which means Porter will get a chance to be the man. He needs decent numbers to attract a decent free-agent deal and escape the black hole.

How many games can this team win?
No more than six. The Raiders' defense is good enough to win some games. The schedule isn’t all that difficult. Plus, the Raiders may be ready to take advantage of the Chiefs’ fall. This team won’t be a factor, but it won’t be as bad as the 2-14 Oakland version from last season.

Answers to NFL’s burning questions Click on a division for more information AFC: East  |  North  | South | West NFC: East | North | South | West

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Steelers’ playoff future slipping away PFT: Batch out — Steelers start to make calls Bengals botch chances, lead in loss to Raiders Eagles shake off close losses, edge Bears Pats stifle Jets, take 2-game lead in AFC East   Video: Patriots make a statement Saints move to 10-0, but ‘haven’t peaked yet’ Colts survive vs. Ravens by a ‘small margin’ PFT’s Morning Aftermath: Broncos reeling   PFT: Cromartie under investigation for assault NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: