NFL Preview 2012: Looking at the AFC West

With the 2012 NFL season right around the corner, Rant Sports decided to breakdown the AFC West in their NFL preview 2012.

Who’s your AFC West MVP in 2012?

Vincent Jackson may no longer be with the San Diego Chargers, but Philip Rivers will still display big numbers once again during the 2012 season. Rivers is one of the most competitive players in the NFL and despite last year’s struggles–it’s still important to note that he’s thrown for at least 4,000 yards in each of the last four seasons.

Which rookie will make the biggest impact on their new team?

Melvin Ingram may end up being one of the biggest steals of the first round of the first round and should have an immediate impact on San Diego’s defense. Here’s a linebacker with great speed and should cause plenty of problems for opposing quarterbacks after recording 19 sacks over his final two seasons at South Carolina.

No team finished above .500 in 2011. Will anyone win 9 or more in 2012?

San Diego will find a way to finish with at least nine wins in 2011–if not more.

Will Peyton Manning lead the Denver Broncos to their second straight AFC West Title?

Manning may help the Broncos look like contenders at times, but the Chargers should re-claim their fame on top of the AFC West in 2012 after a two-year absence. Manning struggled over his first two games of the preseason and it may be difficult for him to be as effective throughout an entire season after missing all of 2011 while recovering from three neck surgeries.