Chiefs, Raiders and Chargers fight for West
The AFC West seemed over only a month ago. The Los Angeles Chargers had started the season at 0-4, and appeared to be destined for a last-place finish. The Oakland Raiders were 2-4 and without Derek Carr, who had broken three transverse process in his back. Then there were the Kansas City Chiefs who at 5-0, were the class of the NFL.
Fast forward to Week 14, and the Chiefs, Chargers and Raiders are all 6-6. The Denver Broncos in last place as losers of eight straight with a 3-9 mark. The AFC West is heating up.
This weekend begins the final quarter of the regular season, and it’s going to be wild. Kansas City has been reeling in historic fashion, losing six of its last seven. On Sunday, the Chiefs scored 31 points against the New York Jets. However, they still lost thanks to a defense that allowed Josh McCown to get 331 passing yards and 38 points.
Come this Sunday, the Raiders will take their hopes and dreams to Arrowhead Stadium to play the Chiefs. The winner is guaranteed at least a share of first place in the wacky AFC West. Kansas City is starting a three-game homestand, which includes a date with the Chargers on Dec. 16 in a primetime contest. In other words, the West could very well be decided in the heartland over the next two weeks, and if not, the Raiders and Chargers will get together in the StubHub Center in Week 17.
Wild Cards
It’s hard to say if any of the trio could be a real threat in the AFC. The Raiders are probably the least of the three considering the defensive ceiling and the struggles of Marshawn Lynch throughout the year. Los Angeles could have the highest ceiling with Philip Rivers running an effective offense, combined with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram causing havoc off the edges on defense. Then there is Kansas City, which when right, might challenge anybody in the league. The question is whether the Chiefs can ever find that form again in 2017, or if that’s long gone.
If nothing else, the West should provide drama and intrigue. The winner of the division will incredibly be hosting a playoff game come the Wild Card round, while the two losers will be thinking about what could have been throughout the postseason and into the offseason. With the Chiefs hosting both the Chargers and Raiders, the ball would seem to be in their court, but after losing over the past three weeks to the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and Jets, there is reason for serious doubt.
Buckle up for the final four regular-season games of the year, it should be bananas in a division that nobody can seem to figure out.
