AFC West playoff picture: Broncos in control, but Chiefs are lurking
Nov 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks to pass during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Upcoming Schedule:
Denver Broncos: vs. Miami Dolphins, at. Kansas City Chiefs, vs. Buffalo Bills, at. San Diego Chargers, at. Cincinnati Bengals, vs. Oakland Raiders
The games that stand out on the remaining schedule are the away games against the direct division rivals. The key game to me is the game at Kansas City, because a win over the Chiefs basically secures them a tie-breaker over the entire division, no matter what happens in the other games. The Broncos do have greater ambitions than a simple division championship. While currently it seems like the Patriots have a tight grasp on the Nr.1 seed, that can change rapidly, so if the Broncos can get back to their early season shape, they will still have a shot at the top seed.
The upcoming game vs. Miami is the perfect game to gain some confidence to make a late season run, but it won’t be easy. Miami is playing great football right now and will give the Broncos a 60 minute battle. Another interesting game will be at Cincinnati, especially if the Bengals manage to finish the season off, playing the way they did last week. If the Bengals can keep up their good record until their game vs. the Broncos this game could decide over a Nr.2 seed. Both Buffalo and Oakland should be two must win games for the Broncos, even if the Bills and their stiff defense should not be taken lightly.
Kansas City Chiefs: at. Oakland Raiders, vs. Denver Broncos, at. Arizona Cardinals, vs. Oakland Raiders, at. Pittsburgh Steelers, vs. San Diego Chargers
The Chiefs have the good fortune of still getting to play the winless Oakland Raiders twice this year. Both Raiders games come at perfect timing aswell, as they give them a good break from an otherwise very difficult schedule. The Chiefs are actually in the best position to knock of the Patriots as the one seed, but to do that they will probably have to go at least 5-1 over their last six games and the non-Raiders games are not easy. The Broncos game will be the key for the Chiefs goal of becoming division champions. The fact that they are playing the Chargers at home aswell is nice, and unless the Chargers can turn their season around the game shouldn´t be that difficult to win.
Both non-divisional games on the road will be very difficult.Arizona has the best record in the NFL, and they are playing like it, especially at home. The Steelers game will very likely be a key game for both teams during their late playoff pushes, and will therefore be hard-fought. If the Chiefs can continue to play the way they have been, they can beat any team and must be taken seriously, especially by the Broncos.
San Diego Chargers: vs. St. Louis Rams, at. Baltimore Ravens, vs. New England Patriots, vs. Denver Broncos, at. San Francisco, at. Kansas City Chiefs.
If you have watched the Chargers play and are now looking at their remaining schedule, you probably don´t have too much hope in a playoff berth. The upcoming two games are must win games for the Chargers if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs. The Rams are coming of a win over the Broncos, and they haven´t been half bad on the road. The Ravens have also been playing solid football and will be a tough play at home. Then the Chargers have to play the best two teams in the AFC. The only positive thing about those two games are that they are at home.
To finish the season they will travel to San Francisco and Kansas City, which are both not places that are easy to play at, especially since both teams will be making their own late season playoff pushes. The Chargers must win their next two games and then win two of the remaining four to even have a chance to make the playoffs.
Next: Predictions!