Could the Chiefs end up 'In Charge' of the AFC West?

The Denver Broncos appeared to have a strangle hold on the division. They won it easily in the 2012-2013 season, and looked to lock it up for the next year. What has changed? Injuries, suspensions, chemistry, and yes.... age.

Denver will be without star linebacker Von Miller for the first 6 weeks of their campaign, and they also have to deal with a banged up Champ Bailey, who isn't getting any younger. His best years are likely behind him, like another player... Peyton Manning, who is one hit away from being finished in the NFL. Additionally, acquiring a receiver like Wes Welker seems like a good idea, but it is far from a sure thing.

Image Courtesy of www.NFL.com

A couple years ago the Patriots acquired Brandon Lloyd (pictured above) two years after his league-leading receiving season, where he racked up 1,448 yards. He had required 128 receptions and 16 touchdowns over the last two seasons (in addition to over 2,100 yards receiving). All of a sudden Brady had an elite weapon... right? Wrong.

Even though he played with the best quarterback in the NFL, on a team that saw receivers injured, tight ends miss games (*cough* Gronk *cough*), Lloyd only managed 900 receiving yards and a mere 4 touchdowns... and both of those stats included the two playoff games the Patriots played in. His yards per catch were the second lowest of his career, and the only other time he performed worse was in a season when he fought through injuries and only managed to start a single game.

Image Courtesy of www.BleacherReport.com

What makes Welker (shown above) any different? Last year Welker had 1,300 yards and 6 touchdowns, while averaging 11.5 YPC... all three numbers remarkably less then Lloyd in his top year. Unlike Brady, Manning already has established receivers, led by Thomas and Decker, so the move doesn't really improve the receiving core all  that much, and remember... Peyton, like Tom Brady, can work with just about any receivers... and we haven't even brought up the fact that Welker is now 32, and is starting to have a problem with ball security again, as he fumbled 3 times last year (which he hadn't done since 2006). Oh yeah, and Welker has been dealing with an ankle sprain this preseason, which certainly hasn't made things any easier for him.

Regardless, Denver has been unfortunate to have to face many injuries this offseason, from their center and guard positions on the OL, to a Defensive End getting carted off the field during a practice; from injuries to both starting cornerbacks, to losing a linebacker for the year. Peyton Manning seems to be the piece holding everything together: A lot of pressure for someone with a major injury and age barrier looming over his head. If something were to happen to the older Manning, the Chiefs could be in position to host a playoff game, as long as they finish with a record around 8-8 or 9-7.