Fansided

AFC West stock watch: Chiefs getting gashed, Broncos rising up

By Bill Williamson

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 13: Running back Carlos Hyde #23 of the Houston Texans rushes up field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 13: Running back Carlos Hyde #23 of the Houston Texans rushes up field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /
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The AFC West is tightening as the Kansas City Chiefs have lost their footing. Now, they face a pivotal Thursday night clash with the Denver Broncos.

The AFC West continued to tighten with plot twists in Week 6.

With the hot Oakland Raiders on a bye, the Denver Broncos duplicated the Raiders’ feat this month with a second straight victory. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers – who both went 12-4 in 2018 – continued their losing skids.

Yes, things are getting interesting out West. Let’s look a the division risers and fallers heading into Week 7, which kicks off Thursday night with the Broncos hosting the Chiefs, which marks the division’s Thursday night debut in 2019:

Risers

Denver’s defense: The Denver Broncos’ defense was a major dud in the first quarter of the season. They couldn’t make a play and it was the biggest reason why Denver started the Vic Fangio era 0-4. Yet, Denver has started to make big plays in the past two games, both victories. The Denver defense was stifling in Week 6 as it shutout the Tennessee Titans, 16-0. Denver had seven sacks and three interceptions against the Titans.

Tahir Whitehead in the middle: Whitehead is now the main cog of the Raiders’ defense now that Vontaze Burfict’s 12-game suspension for an illegal hit has been upheld after he appealed. He will miss the rest of the season. Whitehead moved inside during Oakland’s one game without Burfict so far, a win in London over Chicago. Whitehead has some experience at middle linebacker and played well against Chicago. Now, he needs to do it for the rest of the season.

Feelings about Vic Fangio: I thought Fangio was the best hire of this year’s coaching cycle back in January. He got off to a horrible start as the head man in Denver and had folks around the league wondering if he was going to be another great coordinator who couldn’t handle being a head coach a la Wade Phillips and Norv Turner. But Fangio’s system is starting to pay off in Denver and there is now hope for a positive tenure.

Falling

Chiefs’ time of possession: The Chiefs’ held possession of the ball just 20 minutes, 12 seconds and just for about five minutes in the second half in their, 31-24, home defeat to the Houston Texans. That’s not going to cut it. The Chiefs must allow quarterback Patrick Mahomes to execute as many plays as possible. That has to be fixed immediately.

Chargers’ ball security: The Chargers have committed six turnovers in the past two games, losses to Denver and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chargers’ sloppy play is helping them dig a huge hole for themselves in the playoff picture. They are now 2-4 and have as many defeats this season as they had last year with 10 games remaining. The turnovers have also helped the Chargers fall behind early in games. They must figure it out heading to a winnable game at Tennessee this week.

Chiefs’ run defense: The Chiefs are getting gutted. Of course, this is a big reason why they are losing the time of possession battle. Teams are running the ball down Kansas City’s throats and killing the clock. Houston had 192 rushing yards. The Chiefs are allowing 161.8 yards on the ground per game. It is the fifth worst mark in the NFL. Phillip Lindsay is licking his chops.