AFC West up for grabs (Almost)

Despite the Raiders' best efforts to hand a win over to the Chiefs, Matt Cassel and friends let the game slip from their grasp.  The entire game was filled with penalties and sloppy, undisciplined play.  Although the Chiefs took a 10-0 lead into the intermission, there were several missed opportunites to add more points to the board.  Penalties negated a touchdown and a field goal, and Matt Cassel threw a costly pick in the endzone in the closing minutes of the half.

Although the Chiefs were outplaying the Raiders and had a 10 point cushion going into halftime, the turnovers and missed opportunities left a sour taste in my mouth.  This game could have easily been over by halftime.  Instead, the Raiders proceded to score a pair of touchdowns in the second half and took a one point lead into the fourth quarter.  In a way, you have to tip your cap to the Raiders defensive front.  They managed to contain the league's best rushing attack in Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles, causing Matt Cassel to drop back and throw the ball more than the Chiefs would have liked to.  Richard Seymour caused problems for the Chiefs all day long.  Although Cassel was effective and played a very solid game, the Chiefs recievers did not rise to the occasion.  Despite catching a touchdown pass to take the lead in the fourth, Dwayne Bowe had several key drops including one on 3rd down with time winding down in the fourth quarter.  He had a chance to seal the game and choked.  D-Bowe's been great at times this year, but if you want to be a number one reciever in this league, those are the catches that need to be made.  This allowed Oakland to get the ball back and somehow get in field goal range for Janikowski who tied the game and ultimately sealed the deal in OT.

In hindsight, you could point the finger at coach Todd Haley for poor clock management toward the end or playcall issues, but ultimately what it came down to was execution.  If you protect the ball and avoid silly penalties in the first half, you win the game.  If you make the catches that should be made in crunch time, you win the game there too.  The Chiefs had four or five opportunities to put this thing away and did not execute.  You have to give credit to the Raiders, they took advantage of their opportunities late and found a way to win.  With that, the AFC West is wide open and anyone's for the taking.  Three teams, Oakland, San Diego, and still frontrunner Kansas City all have a legitimate shot to win the thing.  It should make for an interesting second half to the season.  One thing's for certain: Chiefs fans will be circling January 2nd on their calendars and Arrowhead will be rocking as the Chiefs look to seek revenge against the Raiders in a grudge match.  Looking forward to the Denver game next week...

   

No Luck in London

The Denver Broncos had a longer plane ride home than usual. So did the San Francisco 49ers. The Halloween match was played at Wembley Stadium in London, England on Sunday. Unfortunately for the Broncos, they couldn't snap their previous three-game slide by losing 24 to 16. Turnovers and the lack of the rushing game led to the Broncos defeat. They had a fumble and an interception to go along with a weak 59 total yards rushing. Despite their 4th ranked passing offense, led by Kyle Orton, Denver is last in the league running the ball. Is it possible for a team to be the best at one offensive category (like total passing yards), and the worst team running the ball yet still win? Or do you think a team needs to be balanced in order to have success?

Can the Chargers Get it Together?

Ouch.

This week the struggling AFC West managed to actually get a couple of quality wins. Kansas City and Oakland won easily over Jacksonville and Denver, respectively. San Diego barely lost to New England after a comeback fell short by the Chargers, once again turn overs killed plagued them.

Kansas City sits atop in the division, they host the Buffalo Bills that are coming off a well fought game against the Ravens. The Chiefs should be able to handle the 0-5 Bills and will hope to improve their already improved record from last year (4-12 in 2009).

Now focusing on the tied for last place San Diego Chargers. Are the Chargers ever going to start their late season comeback as they have in the past three years? (Last year they started 2-3 and ended at 13-3) This team was predicted by many to win the AFC West. They cannot seem to take advantage of how dominant they are on offense and defense. Turnovers are killing San Diego, they had four of them yesterday. They have gained more yards in offense than almost ever other team they have played, but yet cannot get it together to get the win. Do you think they can get it together and climb over Oakland and Kansas City in the division? Every week that possibilty seems to dwindle.

All Four AFC West Teams Fall In Week 6

It was a terrible day for the AFC West.

All four teams lost and all four defeats were dreadful in their own way. Kansas City, which started the season 3-0, is now 3-2. They still hold first place in the struggling division with Denver, Oakland and San Diego all at 2-4.

The Chiefs have to be kicking themselves. They had a 24-14 lead early in the fourth quarter in a 35-31 final-seconds loss at Houston. Had the Chiefs just made one more play, they’d be 4-1 and be in complete control of the division. What is wrong with the Chiefs?

San Diego is in much worse shape after losing 20-17 at St. Louis. The Chargers are now 0-4 on the road and still making way too many mistakes. With this said, now faces a much tougher schedule as they host New England and Tennessee the next two games before going to Houston. The Chargers have to figure it out soon.

Making things worse, Charger's star tight end Antonio Gates was wearing a protective boot on his injured ankle and it could be serious. That would be a huge blow to the Chargers’ explosive offense. How does this injury impact the rest of the offensive guys like Phillip Rivers?

Denver fell to the Jets after committing a pass-interference penalty with less than two minutes to play and the Raiders were handled by Bay Area rival 49ers, who were previously 0-5.

Who do you think will win the division? Does any team in this division deserve to make the playoffs this year?

Based on this week, it is hard for me to say so.

Weekend Update

The only team to win this week in the AFC West was the Oakland Raiders. They got the W over the Chargers. This win ended a 13 game losing streak to San Diego. The Raiders did a good enough job on offense to cover up their defense which allowed over 430 yards in the air. It was a good grind it out win for Oakland. Next week they meet with the winless 49ers, which only happens once every four years.

Not this year, my friends!

The Chargers should be pretty upset right now. Even though they looked statistically dominant, they still managed to shoot themselves in the foot to get the loss. This team has been turning the ball over too many times. I believe there were two blocked punts in the beginning of the game; San Diego has a lot of work to do on special teams. They have yet to win a road game, will next week (St. Louis) be the first win on the road?

It was a big let down to watch the only undefeated team go down this week. The Chiefs took on Peyton Manning and the rest of the Colts. Even though they lost, KC should be satisfied with their solid play on defense. This team's defense has come a long way. Linebacker Tamba Hali is looking like Pro Bowl material experts say. On the other hand, Matt Cassel isn't looking too hot...Maybe they should try to get Michael Vick? (just throwing that one out there) Play at Houston next week.

Now, let us talk about the Broncos. They simply outplayed this week by the Ravens. Their run defense lacked a lot and gave up way too many yards. But, on a positive note Kyle Orton and the pass offense is looking great still. Next week Denver plays the New York Jets at home and they really need a win. What do you think, do they have a chance?

Week 5 Power Rankings

http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings

KC-10
San Diego-12
Denver-21
Oakland-29

(The Chiefs are the only undefeated team left in the NFL)

Broncos Bounce Back in Week 4

The Denver Broncos connected on a touchdown pass with 1:33 left to go in the game to beat the Tennessee Titans by a score of 26-20 on Sunday, October 3rd in Nashville, Tennessee. Despite only 19 yards rushing on the day, Kyle Orton led the Broncos by passing for 341 yards on 50 attempts while recording 2 TD passes and an interception. The victory moved Denver to 2-2 on the young season which ties them in second place with San Diego in the AFC West standings. They both trail the fast-starting Kansas City Chiefs who rested with their bye at 3-0. After the Sunday's game, Broncos Quarterback Kyle Orton has the Broncos ranked first in passing yards this season in the entire NFL. Will this continue?

The Broncos haven't had too many injuries so far this season which is necessary for the team's success this year. However, Andre Goodman missed the game against the Titans due to his thigh. On a positive note, Brian Dawkins returned to the team after injuring his ankle last week. His presence in the Broncos defense was a key to shuting down the Titans offense. Who is the biggest key in the Broncos defense? Brian Dawkins or Champ Bailey?

In other news, the Denver faithful, coaches, and players are still mourning after the news that wide receiver, Kenny McKinley was found dead in his home last Monday. Authorities listed the death as an apparent suicide. As the Broncos prepare for their season, they are reminded on life, something that goes far beyond football.