Today we will take a look at one of the best divisions in the NFL — and certainly the best in the AFC — the AFC West.

DENVER BRONCOS

The defending NFL champions appear poised and ready to make a run at repeating. They return venerable QB John Elway in what will probably be his final season, and RB Terrell Davis, the Super Bowl MVP.

These two vital cogs are joined by WR Rod Smith and TE Shannon Sharpe to form an outstanding offense.

The defense will be led by DE’s Neil Smith and Alfred Williams, and a dependable linebacking corps and secondary.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Although many teams would have been tickled pink with a 13-3 record, the Chiefs considered the season another in a long line of disappointments.

The Chiefs have made improvements on both sides of the ball, as WR Derrick Alexander gives the offense another playmaker to team with Andre Rison. Elvis Grbac will be the QB, and he will be joined in the backfield by Greg Hill and Kimble Anders.

The defense should be very good as well, with DT Chester McGlockton brought in to shore up the middle of the line, and DE Leslie O’Neal imported to form a nice bookend with perennial All-Pro Derrick Thomas.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Seahawks are one of the more interesting teams in the AFC. In the off-season they inked RB Ricky Watters, C Kevin Glover and G Brian Habib to contracts in order to strengthen the offense, while LB Darrin Smith was signed to help the defense.

Warren Moon will return for his 14th year in the NFL, and his main target will be the dangerous Joey Galloway. The defense also figures to be solid, led by DT Cortez Kennedy and LB Chad Brown.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

The Raiders seemed to have turned over a new leaf this season, as they will finally abandon the long-ball offense in favor of the more trendy West Coast style.

They definitely have the QB to do the job in the enigmatic Jeff George, who last year was 2nd in the NFL with 29 TD passes.

The diminutive Napoleon Kaufman will attempt to gain his second consecutive 1,000 yard season on the ground, while WR Tim Brown will continue his excellent career with the silver and black.

The major problem of a year ago, the defense, should be improved. The secondary has gotten better with the addition of CB Eric Allen, and the drafting of Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson.

DE Darrell Russell should develop as he gains experience, and Russell Maryland is a solid lineman as well.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

The Chargers finished last year with a record of 4-12, and they don’t figure to be better this year. QB Ryan Leaf, the 2nd overall pick in the NFL Draft, will get thrown into the fire and is expected to struggle.

RB Natrone Means returns to the Chargers to give them what they hope will be a viable running attack. The defense should be average with All-Pro Junior Seau and not much else. This could be a long year for San Diego.

The AFC West promises to be perhaps the most exciting division in the NFL, combining offensive explosiveness, defensive prowess and four legitimate playoff contenders.