DENVER BRONCOS

Coach: Mike Shanahan (14th year, 130-78).
Key additions: RB Michael Pittman, WR Darrell Jackson, WR Keary Colbert, C Casey Weigmann, DT Dewayne Robertson, LB Boss Bailey, DB Tyrone Poole, S Marquand Manuel, S Marlon McCree.
Key losses: RB Travis Henry, WR Javon Walker, WR Rod Smith, LB Ian Gold, DB Nick Ferguson, S John Lynch, K Jason Elam.
Draft picks who should help: T Ryan Clady (12th overall), Boise State; WR Eddie Royal (42), Virginia Tech; G Kory Lichtensteiger (108), Bowling Green.
Of note: Brandon Marshall's 102 receptions were the third-most in NFL history by a second-year player, behind Larry Fitzgerald (103 in 2005) and Isaac Bruce (119 in 1995).
Outlook: The Broncos' string of seven consecutive winning seasons ended in 2007, prompting Shanahan to shake up the roster. Many familiar faces from Denver's glory years are gone. Their replacements have a tough task to turn the team's fortunes around after a 7-9 finish in 2007.
Last playoff appearance: 2005.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Coach: Herm Edwards (third year, 13-19).
Key additions: FB Chris Manderino, FB John Paul Foschi, C Wade Smith, WR Devard Darling, LB E.J. Kuale, K Nick Novak.
Key losses: FB Kris Wilson, WR Eddie Kennison, WR Samie Parker, C Casey Weigmann, OT John Welbourn, DE Jared Allen, DE Jimmy Wilkerson, CB Ty Law.
Draft picks who should help: DT Glenn Dorsey (fifth overall), Louisiana State; OT Branden Albert (15), Virginia; DB Brandon Flowers (35), Virginia Tech; DB Brandon Carr (140), Grand Valley State; OT Barry Richardson (170), Clemson.
Of note: The Chiefs have the largest turnover margin (plus-154), most takeaways (592) and fewest giveaways (438) of any team in the NFL since 1990.
Outlook: The league's third-stingiest scoring defense in 2007 will be bolstered by Dorsey and Flowers. How the Chiefs are going to put the ball in the end zone with Brodie Croyle (65.8 career passer rating in 11 games) under center is anyone's guess.
Last playoff appearance: 2006.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Coach: Lane Kiffin (second year, 4-12).
Key additions: WR Javon Walker, WR Drew Carter, C John Wade, CB DeAngelo Hall, S Gibril Wilson, S Adam Archuleta.
Key losses: QB Daunte Culpepper, RB Dominic Rhodes, RB Lamont Jordan, WR Jerry Porter, OT Barry Sims, C Jeremy Newberry, DE Tyler Brayton, DT Warren Sapp.
Draft picks who should help: RB Darren McFadden (fourth overall), Arkansas; DB Tyvon Branch (100), Connecticut; WR Chaz Schilens (226), San Diego State.
Of note: Punter Shane Lechler led the NFL with a 49.1 average, the second-highest total in NFL history (Sammy Baugh had a 51.4 for the Redskins in 1940). Lechler's net average of 41.1 was a modern NFL record.
Outlook: That says it all, when your punter was your most notable player. That should change in 2008, with McFadden backing up Justin Fargas and JaMarcus Russell taking over full-time at quarterback. There are a lot of positives to be had, but not enough to warrant a finish above .500.
Last playoff appearance: 2002.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Coach: Norv Turner (second year, 11-5).
Key additions: OT L.J. Shelton, C Jeremy Newberry, LB Derek Smith.
Key losses: RB Michael Turner, FB Lorenzo Neal, OT Shane Olivea, DB Marlon McCree, DB Drayton Florence.
Draft picks who should help: DB Antoine Cason (27th overall), Arizona; RB Jacob Hester (69), LSU; RB Marcus Thomas (166), UTEP.
Of note: San Diego had an 81-0 scoring edge in the first quarter at home in 2007. It broke an NFL record for the largest scoring margin in the first quarter at home for a season, held by the 1921 Buffalo Americans (83-6).
Outlook: The Chargers played for the AFC title, but LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers weren't healthy, and the Patriots moved on. Most of the same crew is back, but there might be one hitch in making another run: Shawne Merriman's balky left knee. It is unknown if he will have season-ending surgery. If he does, the heart goes out of San Diego's defense, and its Super Bowl chances go with it.
Last playoff appearance: 2007.

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