State of the AFC West: Week 2 review, Week 3 Preview
Here we are again, Raider Nation. It was another agonizing week and another embarrassing loss for the Oakland Raiders.
The only positive to take away from this week is that the Raiders were not the only AFC West team to lose in week 2, nor are they the only winless team in the division.
Let’s look at what went down in week 2:
Raiders vs Dolphins
Let’s get this out of the way. It was awful; not just that Oakland lost big, but did so against the Dolphins. Miami rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill looked like a season vet against a porous Oakland defense. To make matter worse, Oakland’s offense made an obvious attempt to bring more balance to the offense and not saddle Darren McFadden with most of the touches. The results were no different than week 1. To be honest, they were worse.
Chiefs vs Bills
For the second straight week, the Chiefs gave up big points, this time to hat was thought to be a below average Buffalo team. Not much has gone right for Kansas City so far. With the talent on this roster, if Romeo Crennel doesn’t right the ship quickly, he more than likely will find himself out of a job by week 8. That’s a far fall from where I thought this team would be heading in 2012.
Titans vs Chargers
San Diego left little doubt in handing the Titans their second blowout loss of the season. All systems were clicking for the Chargers. The running game looked solid. Dante Rosario stepped up at tight end and had a career game. Phillip Rivers looked like an all-pro. If this retooled defense can hold up their end of the bargain, the Chargers have a the look of a team who can keep their window of opportunity open just a little bit longer for one more title run for Rivers and coach Norv Turner.
Broncos vs Falcons
It was too little too late on Monday for the Broncos. Peyton Manning’s nightmare first quarter did Denver in before they could ever get going. I would argue that no team’s perception changed in the eyes of onlookers more than Denver from week 1 to week 2. As I said before the season began, Denver’s brutal schedule is going to force growing pains and slow down, if not derail Peyton Manning’s comeback tour.
Week 3 Projections
Chiefs vs Saints
The Saints are wounded animals coming into this one. They’ll play in from of a rabid and anxious home crowd, doing everything in their power to not start 0-3. Kansas City has yet to show my they can do anything to stop this from happening.
Prediction: Saints 34-10
Falcons vs Chargers
San Diego has looked ok so far, but they have yet to play a team with as much talent as Atlanta. The Falcons were able to get a win over Denver without a strong performance from arguably their best play, Julio Jones. This one could mean trouble for the Chargers.
Prediction: Falcons 35-21
Texans vs Broncos
Denver is in for another long night. Houston’s defense has as much ability as anyone to force Manning into mistakes, and their offense is arguably the most explosive in the NFL. Denver will need to be flawless to win at home.
Prediction: Texans 27-14
Steelers vs Raiders
It looks like Pittsburgh was able to find its way in week 2 with a sound win over the Jets. That’s not good news for a Raider team struggling to find itself. I see no way Oakland comes out on top in this one, as they have not shown the ability to consistently score points against two mediocre defenses. How will they score on the Steelers?
Prediction: Steelers 28-9
Well, I hope I’m wrong, but it looks like a 0-4 week for the AFC West. We’ll see how it plays out.
Stay strong, Raider Nation. It’s a long season.
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