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AFC West stock watch: Chargers rise, Joe Flacco falls

By Bill Williamson

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 27: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers drops back to pass during a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chargers defeated the Bears 17-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 27: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers drops back to pass during a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 27, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chargers defeated the Bears 17-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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The AFC West hasn’t unfolded as expected, and it’s making for confusion, firings and a lot of intrigue as we approach the second half of the season.

The weird AFC West season continued in Week 8 as the smoking garbage can that has been the Los Angeles Chargers were the only team to win (barely) in the division this week.

The first-place Kansas City Chiefs were game without MVP, quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Raiders competed in Houston and Denver could have easily won in Indianapolis. But , in the end, it was the Chargers, who slid by with a win in Chicago, who are the only AFC West team that’s happy this week.

As we head to Week 9, let’s look at the risers and fallers in the division:

Risers

Chargers’ luck: It’s been a miserable season for the Chargers. They have dealt with massive injuries and have lost some heartbreakers, including last week when they had two touchdowns reversed and then lost a fumble in the final drive to loss at Tennessee. The Chargers appeared on their way to another gut-wrenching loss at Chicago in Week 8. But the Bears missed a field goal to preserve a, 17-16, Chargers’ win. They are now 3-5 and not a troubled team. But, for one day, luck was on their side and there was joy in Charger-land.

Chiefs’ defense: The Chiefs weren’t great again the Green Bay Packers in a , 31-24, loss in Week 8, but it made some plays. This group, which is missing star defensive tackle Chris Jones and Frank Clark, has been getting better. If it can continue to trend upward and get healthy, this defense could help the Chiefs win games in December and January.

Raiders’ schedule: The Raiders have lost two straight games to fall to 3-4. However, there is hope in Oakland. Their five-game road trip (including a home game in London) is over. Oakland, which went 2-3 on the roadie, has three straight home games. And, their schedule is easing up big time. The combined winning percentage of the Raiders final nine opponents is a paltry .364. It is the third easiest remaining schedule in the NFL. So, the Raiders are far from dead.

Fallers

Joe Flacco’s relationship with Broncos: The first-year Denver quarterback ripped his team’s play calling in a, frustrating, 15-13, loss at Indianapolis. Flacco said the Broncos played scared. It was pretty damning comment from a player. Monday, word came out that Flacco has a neck injury and his season could be over. It also probably means his Denver tenure will not continue into next year. Things are falling apart fast in the Rockies.

Chiefs’ home prowess: The Chiefs have lost three straight games at home and are just 1-3 at Arrowhead Stadium this season. That’s pretty wild for a good team with a good home-field advantage. The Chiefs badly need to end that trend this week when the Minnesota Vikings visit.

Raiders against good quarterbacks: The Raiders have played three games quarterbacks this season – Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson. They were gutted by all three of them and Oakland lost all three games. This week, Oakland faces Matthew Stafford, who had a big game in Week 8. The Raiders badly need to win this game and it starts with not allowing Stafford to dominate.

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