State of the AFC West: Week 9 Edition
I hate to say I told you so, but, well, I kinda told you so.
Last week, I appeared as a guest on Sport X Radio with Ken Thomson on AM 720 to talk some AFC West, general NFL, and promote this website in any way I could. During that conversation, Ken hit me with some questions both long term and short term in regard to the teams in the AFC West. He is an overview of what I said about each team and how those comments fared against each team’s performance:
Chargers
Basically, I said they were looking at Cleveland as the perfect game to regain their footing after a disappointing loss against Denver. I cautioned that they ought not take Cleveland lightly, as the Browns were a young team on the rise, improving each week. Final score: Cleveland 7, San Diego 6.
Chiefs
I said they were in trouble and their struggles had me confused.
Raiders
Adding to what was said about the Chiefs, I said the Raiders had a good chance of winning their next two game and being .500 when they visit Baltimore. In last week’s State of the AFC West, I said the Raiders would record a sound win over Kansas City. They did just that.
Broncos
I said they looked like they were coming together and if they get in the playoffs, that’s the last team anyone wants to see in their bracket. I ended my segment on the show by predicting a Denver appearance in the Super Bowl. On Sunday night, the Broncos did nothing to prove me wrong. They look good. REAL GOOD.
As far as this weekend goes, it’s another chance to see some movement within the division. We have a front-runner, a bottom dweller, a riser, and a tumbler. I won’t insult you r intelligence and tell you who’s who.
Let’s take a look at the AFC West games for Week 9.
Kansas City at San Diego
Both teams need a win in the worst way. At this point, however, I see San Diego pressing in front of a home crowd that will be less than enthused to watch their semi-mediocre team host one of the NFL’s worst performing clubs. With nothing to lose and several chips on their shoulders, I see Kansas City stepping up, meeting the potential on their roster, and posting a big road win against a division foe.
Prediction: Chiefs 30, Chargers 20
Denver at Cincinnati
Denver is firing on all cylinders at this point and I think they keep it going. I expect the Bronco pass rush to fluster Andy Dalton all day and limit the opportunities he has to get the ball to A.J. Green. Offensively, expect Manning to put on another clinic.
Prediction: Broncos 31, Bengals 13
Tampa Bay at Oakland
This will be a dogfight in the Black Hole. Two teams trying to establish momentum mid-season will clash in a game that has a Wild Card feel, even though both are in different conferences. Each needs a win to remain serious contenders for a postseason berth. Coming off a long week, I give Greg Schiano a slight edge in this battle of first year coaches. Josh Freeman has a look in his eye like he won’t be denied, and he’s backed by Doug Martin who is looking to reproduce the breakout performance he had last week.
Prediction: Buccaneers 21, Raiders 20
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