As Week 13 rolls on, the AFC West is shifting—teams are climbing, sliding, scrambling… and then there are the Las Vegas Raiders. What else can we even say at this point?
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Trending: Down
At this point, it feels like beating a dead horse. How much worse can the Raiders get? Somehow, some way, they manage to find new lows each week. Their latest setback came in a lopsided loss to a struggling Browns team led by rookie fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders in his first NFL start. The performance was so abysmal that Chip Kelly, the league’s highest-paid offensive coordinator, was dismissed by Pete Carroll, marking him as the second assistant to be let go in Carroll’s inaugural season as head coach. Perhaps this is finally the lowest point.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
Trending: Steady
The best part of the Chargers’ week off is simple: they can finally get healthier. Injuries remain the biggest reason Los Angeles is hard to take seriously. It’s remarkable that a 7-4 team sitting just two games out of first place still feels fragile because 10 players are on injured reserve. Even worse, that list includes both starting tackles and the top three running backs.
There is some good news. Rookie standout Omarion Hampton appears close to returning. The Chargers will need every reinforcement they can get if they hope to stay in the AFC West race—or even hold onto a potential wild-card berth.
Related: Can The Raiders Go From Worst To First?
2. Kansas City Chiefs
Trending: Up
Had the Chiefs’ game against the Colts ended at halftime, this section would look very different. Kansas City appeared headed for a losing record and a steep climb toward playoff contention. Instead, the Chiefs rallied and stole an overtime win. Now they sit at 6-5, only one game out of a potential wild-card spot.
Kansas City has been living on the edge for a while, stretching back to last season. It hasn’t caught up to them—at least not yet.
1. Denver Broncos
Trending: Steady
The Broncos’ bye week could not have come at a better time. They hold a comfortable two-game lead in the division but still have work to do if they hope to be considered true Super Bowl contenders. Most of that centers on fixing the offense.
Denver’s run game has been mediocre despite strong play up front, forcing Bo Nix to shoulder more of the load than he should. With limited weapons and clear ceilings, that approach is unlikely to hold up. Once the postseason arrives, even Denver’s elite defense can only carry them so far.
*Top Photo: Ramble Illustration/Getty Images