the AFC WEST 2011 Predictions.....BOLTS, ORANGE CRUSH, CHIEFS, or SILVER & BLACK......rolling with the CHIEFS....and why not?

The AFC WEST is an interesting division because the BOLTS have had a descent hold on the WEST for the ladder part of 6-7 years. But something happened in 2010....the CHIEFS had a little SWAGGER that has carried into the start of this season and the BOLTS no longer can call themselves a shoe in for Post Season.

The best offense in the Division might be the CHIEFS and the BOLTS are right there if they can find a consistent running attack. The Best Defense in the AFC WEST.......the BOLTS with the RAIDERS and CHIEFS becoming more and more efficient on that side of the ball.

The 2011 AFC West Predictions..........BLUEDUDE SPORTSTALK:

1. CHIEFS 9-7 4th Overall Seed in the AFC.....They win on the last week: This is the division that's a toss up. The CHIEFS have a plethora of young talent and have an emerging STAR in Safety Eric BERRY. QB Matt CASSELL has two weapons in RB Jamal CHARLES who is 3rd best RB in the NFL in my book and WR Dwayne "YMCMB" BOWE from.............GEAUX Bayou Bengals......Baton Rouge.

The D is led by the aforementioned BERRY and DE Tamba HALI of STATE COLLEGE P A and ILB Derrick JOHNSON. If the D can meet the O......the CHIEFS could improve on that record and play deep into the AFC PLAYOFFS. They must fend off the BOLTS and RAIDERS to get their though.

OUTLOOK: The CHIEFS know what they have to do and they are doing it by a very good Coaching Staff and a really good BRASS. The BOLTS and RAIDERS will challenge the CHIEFS for WEST Supremacy but in the end the CHIEFS should come out on top. They will play the NFC NORTH, and then they have tilts vs the PATS, STEELERS, JETS, and COLTS.....not to mention 2 against the BOLTS and RAIDERS. If anything stops them it will be their killer schedule.

2. BOLTS 8-8 They will miss the PLAYOFFS and will again start out lack luster: The BOLTS have all the tools and makings of an ELITE NFL Football Team. But they just always back themselves in the corner and try to catch fire late to back into the playoffs. The QB RIVERS has his guy in WR Vincent JACKSON and TE Antonio GATES to keep the strong passing game along with a 1 year deal for WR Malcolm FLOYD. @nd year RB Ryan MATTHEWS has to maintain his health and keep that BOLTS Ground Game above average.

On Defense they are pretty sound with OLB Shaun PHILLIPS, ILB Stephen COOPER, CB Quentin JAMMER, and S Eric WEDDLE.....with a DUFFLE BAG full of new CHARGERS CASH. Top pick from 2 years ago OLB/DE Larry ENGLISH has to start putting his stamp on the GAME on 3rd down as "LIGHTS OFF" has been gone.

OUTLOOK: The same old BOLTS.......the should be primed and ready to go....explosive on OFFENSE but can their Defense maintain a consistent approach. The Schedule will be tough as they play the NFC NORTH, and the AFC EAST...they have a chance to get in if the schedule holds up and the CHIEFS falter.....BOLTS Schedule much easier and spread out.

RAIDERS 4-12 They won't respond to a New Coach and they are DYSFUNCTIONAL at least Owner Al DAVIS is : The BLACK HOLE will be just that in the 2011.....they looked like they were making a move and then all of sudden Coach Tom CABLE is gone as OWNER AL DAVIS does his usual shuffling of the Head Coaches. They have a Up and Coming RB in Darren McFADDEN and good young WRs in Jacoby FORD, Darius HEYWARD-BEY, and Louis MURPHY. They gain TE Kevin BOSS but lose TE Zach MILLER to the SEAHAWKS.....he will be missed in the passing game especially.

DEFENSIVELY they are right there....seriously......they have DT Richard SEYMOUR, Linebackers Rolando McCLAIN, Kamerion WEMBLEY, and S Micheal HUFF. The pieces are in place on D they finished in the Top 15 last year with help from the RAIDERS Running attack they stayed fresh.

OUTLOOK: They Must get McFADDEN Off early and often and QB Campbell has to let those young WRs get it in space and then get some YAC....Yards After the Catch. The DEFENSE will hold up in a lot of games and they will be tough led by the Veteran MOXIE of SEYMOUR. Their schedule is the AFC East and NFC North along with the 4 tilts vs the CHIEFS and BOLTS.......Not Good.

BRONCOS 2-14 They might not be that bad......but close: They have a QB Controversy started by a Head Coach who is no longer there. Josh McDaniels was trying to be Bill BELICHEK instead of being himself. You remember when they beat the PATS in INVESCO......he thougt he had won the LOMBARDI. Football GODS took care of that celebration....and his arrogant A**.

I am going to be brief about the BRONCOS......Can't wait to see OLB/DE Elvis DUMERVIL do his thing coming off of a season-ending Knee injury. ANd that Monster OLB they drafted....remember this name...VON MILLER from the 12th man in COLLEGE STATION.....a MONSTER.

OUTLOOK: Orton......Tebow........QUINN........QUINN........Tebow.....ORTON. Who knows and who cares as BRONCOS Prez John ELWAY tried to ship ORTON off to the BOTTOm in 305 to no evail. RB Knowshon MORENO will get a lot of carries as he will be the focal point of hopefully a balanced attack. The BRONCOS play the NFC North and the AFC East.....throw in 6 with the DIVISION.....it's just not adding up in MILE HIGH.

up next FRIDAY....the NFC.........and the EAST Division