The NFL preview continues today with a glance at the AFC West, which could very well have a new champion for the first time in four years.

Denver Broncos

We will all find out just how important John Elway really was in leading Denver to back-to-back titles. The future Hall-of-Fame quarterback retired after last season, and after a controversy during training camp, Brian Griese, a second-year player who has yet to start a game in the NFL, will take over behind center.

The Broncos will have Terrell Davis to hand the ball off to, which must be a comfort to the young quarterback. Davis became only the fourth player in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards last season and appears to be heading into the prime of his career.

The biggest strength of the team is the depth on both sides of the football. The team features veteran wide receivers Ed McCafrey and Rod Smith, along with All-Pro tight end Shannon Sharpe.

The defense has a different look without mainstay safety Steve Atwater but features top cornerback Dale Carter. Back for another year at linebacker will be Bill Romanowski, who needs a big year for the Broncos to be successful.

With all of these weapons at their disposal, there is little question that the Broncos will win this division, even with the exodus of Elway. However, weather an untested quarterback can lead the team to a third straight title is a question needing an answer.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have one of the game’s best coaches and several premier players at key positions.

However, this corps of players has yet to show it can carry the other players on its back.

Mike Holmgren is the new coach, coming from Green Bay where he led the Packers to three straight division crowns and a 1-1 record in the Super Bowl.

He does have some to work with, as Rickey Watters will be counted on to have another solid season running the ball.

Joey Galloway, one of the best in the game at catching the ball, is still holding out of camp and is not expected to return anytime soon.

Chad Brown came in last year to provide stability to the Seahawks defense, and defensive tackle Sam Adams has always been solid in the middle.

The big question will be the play of young quarterback Jon Kitna.

While he will have targets like Sean Dawkins and Charles Jordan to throw to, the absence of Galloway will be felt.

Defensivley, the Sehawks have veterans Cortez Kennedy and Michael Sinclair to help the aforementioned Brown and Adams, while Sean Springs will be the anchor in the secondary.

The success of the Seahwaks, like most teams, will be based on the ability of their young quarterback to be able to move the ball. If so, the Broncos could be looking over their shoulders.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have a new coach, former defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, but the philosophy and much of the personnel will remain the same.

The once stable franchise has been reduced to fielding a team of thugs because they are no longer play competitive football based on the talent they have on the field.

After a much-publicized game with the Denver Broncos last year that led to the suspension of Derrick Thomas and the release of linebacker Wayne Simmons, the Chiefs threw a number of cheap shots in a preseason scrimmage with the New Orleans Saints.

The Chiefs problems begin with the most important position on the field, the quarterback. Elvis Grbac has proven over and over again that he is unable to win games down the stretch, but Cunningham has given the veteran a vote of confidence to begin the year.

Bam Morris was expected to be the main ball carrier, but he is currently 25 pounds overweight and probably won’t start the opener.

The onus now turns to fullback Kimble Anders to run the ball, something he has not done much in his career.

Andre Rison will be the main reciever, and should be as good as ever.

However, he may be the only weapon that opponents need to worry about.

On the other side of the ball, Derrick Thomas will once again lead the defense, a unit that will suffer from the exodus of cornerback Dale Carter.

The secondary will now be led by James Hasty and Cris Dishman.

It will take a lot for Cunningham to turn this motley crew into a winning team, and I don’t see it happening.

Oakland Raiders

The men in black are back with a new look this season. Gone is quarterback Jeff George, and Rich Gannon will now lead the club, which should be a positive change.

However, if the team gives up 67 sacks like last year, it won’t matter who is behind center. Napolean Kaufman is back, and he will get help from fellow running back Tyrone Wheatley.

Tim Brown, arguably the best receiver in Raider history, will be back for another season, and teamed with veteran speedster James Jett, the receiving corps should be solid.

Charles Woodson is a budding star at cornerback, and Eric Allen will be back and leading the secondary.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers might benefit from a case of addition by subtraction as troubled quarterback Ryan Leaf will be shelved for the season with shoulder surgery.

Leaf struggled mightily in his rookie campaign, and now Jim Harbaugh appears to be the starter, with Erik Kramer being a solid backup.

Mike Riley, formerly head coach at Oregon State, starts his first year with a team not expected to contend for anything at least this year.

Charlie Jones is an animal at tight end, and Natrone Means will be the feature back.

Junior Seau will lead the defense, which isn’t saying all that much.

Rodney Harrison should be back at safety and once again delivering cheap shots across the league.