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AFC West stock watch: Raiders rise, Broncos fall hard

By Bill Williamson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) warms up on the field before the NFL game between the Oakland Raiders and the Indianapolis Colts on September 29, 2019 at Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 29: Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) warms up on the field before the NFL game between the Oakland Raiders and the Indianapolis Colts on September 29, 2019 at Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Three teams won in the AFC West last weekend and helped their playoff positioning. The Denver Broncos, though, continue to tumble horribly.

The AFC West wasn’t just a Kansas City Chiefs’ party in Week 4.

The Chiefs were the only team in the division to win in both Week 2 and Week 3. This week, however, both the Los Angeles Chargers and the Oakland Raiders won, both on the road, to even their records at 2-2. The hapless Denver Broncos weren’t as fortunate, as they dropped to 0-4.

Let’s look at our AFC West risers and fallers heading into Week 5:

Risers

The Chiefs in crunch time: The Chiefs are showing that they can fight back. They bounced back from an early 10-0 deficit in Oakland in Week 2. They fell behind 1by double digits in Week 4 at Detroit and then had to come back again in the final moments. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes led a furious final moment touchdowns drive to give Kansas City a 34-30 victory over the Lions. Mahomes converted a fourth-down run on the drive in addition to several other key plays. It was just another reminder that this team is going to be a factor all season long.

Oakland’s timely defense: The Raiders sealed their victory at the Indianapolis on Sunday with a pick six by safety Erik Harris, who was a surprise starter in the game. It was Oakland’s first interception of the season. The Raiders’ defense has been lacking the big plays for years. It takes plays like Harris’ to win as an underdog on the road. This could serve the Raiders well as they play away from Oakland until November.

The Chargers’ schedule: The Chargers ended a two-game losing skid by going to Miami and beating the tar out of the hapless Dolphins. To even their record at 2-2. Los Angeles has a chance to continue to stack victories against lackluster opponents. Their next three games are against Denver and Pittsburgh at home and on the road at Tennessee. Those three teams have a combined 3-9 record. Thus, the Chargers have a chance to put themselves in good shape in the AFC playoff shape this month.

Fallers

Fans’ faith in John Elway: John Elway has been the king of Colorado for more for nearly five decades. He is truly regal in the state. But Denver Broncos’ fans are getting restless. Despite coaching changes and quarterbacks changes, it’s still the same story for the Post-Peyton Manning Broncos. Denver is 20-32 since winning Super Bowl 50 in Manning’s final game. Denver looks like it is heading to a top-five draft picks. It could mean Elway is in trouble as the team’s main decision maker. Fans may be ready for a change. Still, it would be difficult for the franchise to part ways with its best ever player.

Bradley Chubb’s career development: The second-year pass-rusher is one of Denver’s bright spots and building blocks. He was the No. 5 overall draft pick last year and he has come along nicely. However, Chubb tore his ACL in his knee Sunday against Jacksonville. Chubb should come back fine next year, but losing a top young player for a year like this is devastating for both the Broncos and the player.

Broncos in crunch time: The above two sections suggest a dire situation for the Broncos. And, of course, at 0-4 things are dire in Denver. However, it could be so much better. In their two home games (Weeks 2 and 4) Denver lost in the last seconds to Chicago and Jacksonville. Both of those defeats were extremely unlikely. So, yes, the Broncos can easily be 2-2 in and the early wild-card hunt in the AFC. But the reality is teams that can’t finish, don’t win. So, while they may be close, all that matters is that Denver is winless.