It's hard to remain objective when talking about a divisional foe, but I will do my best here to examine the Raiders with an impartial eye.  Take this rare post on your site however you like...I just wanted to share my thoughts with the enemy.  You can also thank Raiderpete for bringing me over here with his smack talking and actual agreement with a Charger fan(disgraceful!).

First off, the Chiefs are a train wreck.  Though they have already taken great steps this offseason to speed up their recovery time from the depths of despair, they still have several years to go before they will even threaten to reenter the playoffs.  Personally, I like the fact that we can finally go into Kansas City and come out with a W...so I'll take it for as long as I can get it.

Secondly, the Chargers.  This team, though talented, is very immature and also aging.  Their time at the top is slowly coming to an end.  I for one can't wait to see how far Phyllis Rivers will fall once he no longer has the talent behind him hiding the fact that he is an average QB at best.

And finally, the Raiders.  This team ranks first among teams I DESPISE.  The list goes Raiders, 49ers, Chiefs, Jaguars, Chargers, and Seahawks.  That said, it looks to me like this team may finally overcome the hampering of Crazy Al.  They still have a few years to go and one never knows when Crazy Al will knock them back down to the bottom again.  I think the Raiders will finish close to .500 this year for the first time in half a decade.  I also have predicted a return of a long dead rivalry between the Broncos.  My team came one timely timeout away from being swept last season.  A thing that has only happened once(2002) during the Mike Shanahan era.

It all comes down to execution.  I think the Raiders have an excellent coach in Kiffin, but I also think Crazy Al will end up firing him during or after this season.  Much like he did to Shanny, hopefully, Pat Bowlen will be able to pick Kiffin up as an assistant.  ;)  2008 will be one of growing pains for the Raiders.  A young inexperienced QB will make plenty of mistakes and will even cost them some victories.  Their running game may be their only chance this year to make .500, but how many teams will focus on that and try to make JaMarcus Russell beat them?  I know the Broncos will. 

I originally had the Broncos losing on opening day(tradition shows the Broncos don't play well Week 1), but after seeing my team in action during the preseason I have decided to chalk week 1 up as a victory.  I've watched many years of preseasons and this is one of the best years I've seen in a long time from the Broncos. 

The D is underrated and stuffing the run quite easily thanks to a return to traditional Bronco football.  We are not, repeat not, on our way down like so many punDITZ think we are.  I like the fact that this team is so far under the radar.  The Broncos are young football team that has a franchise QB that is throwing the football better than ever.  This offense is going to be explosive and dangerous.  The only liability will be our LB core which is spotty at best.  Without DJ Williams, it would be a train wreck. 

I wish I could say, "Best of Luck", but I'd be remiss to do such a thing.  I despise your team and I wish you nothing but sorrow as fans, however, a morbid part of me likes the fact that a rivalry may be returning between the Broncos and Raiders.  I grew up in nor cal and my own brother is a Raider fan, so its nice to be able to talk smack and not have it be so one sided.  Perhaps we can bring down the Chargers together...it just isn't right to have the Chargers dominate the AFC West.  It's an affront to the natural order of things to have the Chargers on top.  They are and should always be cellar dwellers.  Their fans are of the fair weather type and deserve to crawl back into obscurity.  Perhaps their team can move to Memphis or something...

As for September 8th for the Raiders.  Just lose baby!   ;)

Realistic 2008 AFC West Predictions:

San Diego Chargers:  11-5

Denver Broncos:  10-6

Oakland Raiders:  8-8

Kansas City Chiefs:  3-13

PS  Any of you Raider fans who are going to be tailgating for the game, email me if you want to hang out and drink some beers.  It's always cool to meet fellow SB Nation fans and my little brother is a Raider fan, so you shouldn't be too predjudice of me.  We are all just people anyway...