The Kansas City Chiefs appear to be peaking at the right time, while the rest of the AFC West is settling in for the long winter ahead.
Remember when the Kansas City Chiefs were stubbing their collective toes around midseason?
We thought maybe there would be some intrigue in the AFC West. Yeah, that was a while ago.
Week 15 was another December reminder that the AFC West is assembled by the Chiefs and a bunch of no-shows.
The Chiefs are playing elite football and have to be considered among the handful of true Super Bowl-winner contenders. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers flailed, as usual, in Week 15 and the Raiders? Well, they forever put an entire city in a foul mood.
As we head to Week 16, let’s look at the risers and fallers in the AFC West:
Risers
The Chiefs in bad circumstances: The Chiefs are rolling – in any type of situation. In Week 14, Kansas City had to deal with the equipment of several players getting to the stadium late. Yet, they went out and beat the New England Patriots on the road. Then, in Week 15, there was a major snowstorm in Kansas City, causing several players to arrive to the stadium late because of road conditions. Then, in a snowstorm, the Chiefs easily dispatched the Broncos. This team is getting hardened for the postseason, no matter where they play, or, in what circumstances, the games are played in.
Frank Clark: The Chiefs’ star defensive end played well and played a lot in the win over Denver on Sunday. He has been dealing with a stomach issue that caused him to shed considerable weight. The Chiefs are confident he is getting to the point where he can soon be at full strength, which will be a huge boost for a defense that has been rolling.
Terrell Suggs: The pass-rusher has to be thrilled. Yes, we all understand why he may want to have gone back to Baltimore after being cut by the Arizona Cardinals. But he has to be tickled the Chiefs claimed him Monday. He gained six victories in the standings and a division title. Suggs can help the Chiefs win their first Super Bowl in 50 years and the second of his fabled career with his pass-rush ability down the stretch.
Fallers
Raiders’ memories: It was supposed to be so much better than what it was. The final memory in the Oakland Coliseum wasn’t supposed to be fans booing quarterback Derek Carr as he went to say goodbye in the Black Hole. It wasn’t supposed to be the sight of food being thrown on the field. It wasn’t supposed to be angry fans getting arrested on the field. But after the Raiders blew a16-3 lead with 20 minutes remaining to lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final seconds, that was the goodbye the Raiders and their passionate Oakland fans had. For a team that has been miserable for most of this century and one that has fallen apart in the last month, this ending was so raw and painful even Oakland fans couldn’t believe it.
Von Miller’s mood: After losing to the Chiefs, Miller talked about the pain defeats like that do to his soul. Many people read it as Miller being ready to leave Denver, a team he has been an all-time player and Super Bowl MVP for. This week, Miller made it clear that he doesn’t want to leave Denver, but he hates the losing. That’s fair.
Chargers’ cool point differential: The Chargers followed up their best day of a lousy season, a huge Week 14 win at Jacksonville, by going home and getting blown out by Minnesota, 39-10. Now, the Chargers’ point differential is just +9. Still, it’s wild that a 5-9 team has a plus point differential. Let’s see if the Chargers can improve it this week at home against the Raiders.