NFL Notebook, Week 10: Game of the year, sleeping Titans, awards and more
By Zach Cohen
The Wild, Wild West
Aside from the Broncos, the entire AFC West has not been what many people, including myself, predicted for the season. Let’s take a look at the current state of each team and what it could mean for their future:
Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)
Matt Moore fared well enough in place of Patrick Mahomes, though Mahomes likely would have defeated Green Bay. Mahomes was not the problem in the Tennessee loss, though.
That can be attributed to the defense. In what was supposed to be a revamped unit, the Kansas City defense has allowed the sixth-most yards, including the second-most yards on the ground.
The second issue is relatively new; it’s the inability to run the football. The Chiefs average 90.8 rushing yards a game, good for the 24th-best in the NFL. A defense is harder to fix, but a good running back? Apparently, those grow on trees these days.
Oakland Raiders (5-4)
Largely viewed as boom or bust heading into the season, business has been booming in Oakland lately. The Raiders have won consecutive games and will face the Jets and Bengals in the coming weeks. (I bet Oakland is trembling with fear.)
Despite the “hot streak,” I’m reluctant to recognize the Raiders as a good team. Aside from the 5-4 Colts, Oakland has yet to beat a team with a winning record. Also, don’t forget that the Raiders only beat the Chargers by two and a week prior they beat a three-win Detroit by just seven.
For now, pump the brakes on the Oakland hype train.
Los Angeles Chargers (4-6)
After firing offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, the Chargers sent earthquakes through the NFL by upsetting the Packers 26-11. Unfortunately, Los Angeles failed to build on their success with a 26-24 loss to Oakland the following week.
I still have faith in the Chargers this season. After all, Los Angeles has lost every game by seven or fewer points. What I don’t have much faith in is Phillip Rivers. He’s a solid quarterback, but he’s not what he used to be. He is third in interceptions this season, too. It makes me wonder if Rivers will ever get a Super Bowl ring.
Denver Broncos (3-6)
I won’t waste more space on Denver after laying into them a couple of weeks ago. The Broncos are locked in on Drew Lock now. If Lock fails, and his supporting cast isn’t doing him any favors, it could be another long offseason in the Mile High City.