The Las Vegas Raiders were thoroughly embarrassed by a division rival, getting blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos also got into the win column, adding more salt to Raider Nation’s wound. With that being said, here is how the AFC West stacks up after Week 14’s action.
1. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)
They are back, folks. After a blowout win over one of the AFC’s best teams in the Cincinnati Bengals, they beat the New York Giants by sixteen this week. Star quarterback Justin Herbert shined again with 275 yards passing and three touchdowns, including one of the most beautiful passes you will ever see. All done with Keenan Allen out with Covid-19 and Austin Ekeler getting injured mid-game. After some suspect games in the middle of the season, the Chargers are hitting their stride. Next up, a huge matchup with the Chiefs in L.A.
JUSTIN HERBERT THROW OF THE YEAR
pic.twitter.com/D8yrfssmKY— PFF (@PFF) December 12, 2021
2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-4)
Owners of a six-game winning streak, the Chiefs are right back in the thick of the playoff race. This, in large part, is due to their defense, which would have sounded crazy even a month ago. However, with the offense still struggling against anyone who doesn’t wear Silver and Black, it is difficult to project this team going forward. Can Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes figure it out? Of course, they are two of the most talented at what they do, but the clock is ticking and they don’t get to play the Raiders every week. Thursday night’s game against the Chargers will go a long way towards determining what their long-term possibilities are.
3. Denver Broncos (7-6)
After starting the season 3-0, the Broncos then endured a four-game losing streak. Currently, they have won four of their last six. This level of inconsistency has been prevalent throughout the Broncos’ season thus far. However, it appears they may have found a formula for winning. Simply put, Denver doesn’t ask Teddy Bridgewater to do anything other than hand the ball off to stud running backs Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. In addition, they still have the ability to play tenacious defense even with Von Miller gone. Denver will play the Bengals next before matching up with each of the AFC West teams to finish the season.
4. Las Vegas Raiders (6-7)
Where else could they rank after last week’s performance? More so, the team is 1-5 since the bye in week eight. After a promising 3-0 start, the Raiders are now the only AFC West team with a losing record. In the midst of another epic collapse, Las Vegas simply has no answers. With the exception of the Dallas Cowboys game, the offense has been anemic. The defense, while not terrible, has almost certainly regressed and shows very little in the way of adjustments. In 2020, it was thought that the Raiders could compete with the Chiefs. In 2021, that was simply just not true.
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*Top Photo: Courtesy of NFL.com
