Division Winner: The San Diego Chargers should run away with this division. Their best competition from a year ago, the Denver Broncos, is currently a mess after trading their Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler and with star wide receiver Brandon Marshall pouting about a new contract. The Chargers have Shawne Merriman for the entire season healthy and that should make the defense as a whole better. If LaDanian Tomlinson cannot go the entire season speedy backup Darren Sproles is back for another season and deserves more opportunities to have the ball in his hands.

Wild Card Winner: No team from this division will win a Wild Card birth. Other than the Chargers I do not expect a team with over 7 wins coming from this division. All three teams, Broncos, Chiefs and Raiders, have internal problems along with teams that are not very good. Josh McDaniels is having a rough first season in Denver, Todd Haley of the Chiefs has already fired his offensive coordinator and taking over the play calling duties, and the Raiders have coaches punching each other and Al Davis is still running this three ring circus.

Player on the Rise: Darren Sproles, if not retained via the franchise tag, would have commanded big money in the free agent market this summer. He decided to sign the franchise tender and remain with the Chargers for at least one more season to further increase his stock in the 2010 free agency period. Last season Sproles averaged 5.4 yards per carry on the ground and 12.4 yards per reception and had six total touchdowns. If starter LaDanian Tomlinson is unable to play for a period this season, expect Sproles to step in and take advantage of the opportunity. He will solidify his position as one of the most explosive players in the league this season.

Player on the Demise: Matt Cassel will not put up the same numbers he did last season as a member of the New England Patriots. Now this isn’t saying that Cassel is a bad player, but he does not have the weapons that he once had in New England and his numbers will fall because of it. As this young and inexperienced offense in Kansas City continues to grow and develop together, Cassel may have himself a 3,500 yard passing season once again. That season, is not 2009 as long as he is a part of the Kansas City Chiefs. Expect around 2,800 yards and 20 or so touchdowns from Cassel this season but he will, along with the rest of the team, be better in 2010 and beyond.

Division MVP: With the big question mark being LaDanian Tomlinson’s health, the most important player to this division is going to be Philip Rivers. Rivers will not have to be spectacular for the Chargers to win this division, but if this team wants to make a deep run in the playoffs it will be on the shoulders of Rivers. If he can come close to repeating his numbers from last season (over 4,000 yards passing with 34 touchdowns) this improved Chargers team has a chance to make a run at a Super Bowl this season.