AFC West stock watch: Maxx Crosby and Frank Clark rise

The AFC West saw a pair of victories in Week 11. However, it was the defensive performances of Frank Clark and Maxx Crosby that stole the headlines.

For the second straight week, the Los Angeles Chargers showed exactly who they are in a primetime setting.

In essence, the Chargers Chargered once again in Week 11, in a Monday Night Football loss to the first-place Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chargers, along with the equally pathetic Denver Broncos, are all but dead and the AFC West is a two-team race between the Chiefs and the upstart Oakland Raiders, who won their third straight game, all at home, in Week 11.

Let’s look at the risers and fallers in the AFC West headed into Week 12.

Risers

Frank Clark: On Monday night, Clark looked like he was worth the $105 million contract he received from the Chiefs this offseason. Clark struggled to make an impact as a pass-rusher early in his Chiefs’ tenure. Now, he is turning it up and has been a complete player. He was completely disruptive against the Chargers. The Chiefs need that Frank Clark if they are going to be a factor in the postseason.

Maxx Crosby: The Raiders’ rookie looks like a great steal. The fourth-round pick from Eastern Michigan has been active all year. He has flashed and shown perhaps the Jared Allen comparisons aren’t ridiculous. But in Week 11, Crosby took over. He had four sacks in a 17-10 Oakland win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Crosby has the look of a monster who will be a pass-rushing factor for years to come. He can be a face the Raiders build around as they move to Las Vegas.

Patrick Mahomes’ legs: The Chiefs’ quarterback took over the Chargers’ game with his legs. In his second game back from a dislocated kneecap, Mahomes ran for a career-high 59 yards. He extended drives and ran smart. Running hasn’t been a huge part of Mahomes’ game but with receiver Tyreek Hill out and the Chiefs’ down to their third running back, Mahomes did what his team needed to win, furthering his status as one of the NFL’s most vital players.

Fallers

The Chargers: Man, this team is floundering. They play the same game every week. Is it on coach Anthony Lynn? I’m not sure. He is not getting his team’s mistakes corrected, but this has been Chargers football for years. They are 4-7 with all seven losses being by one score. That has been the earmark for the franchise for a decade. They just can’t get it done.

Philip Rivers: The biggest current problem for the Chargers is Rivers, their possible Hall of Fame quarterback. Rivers is a mess right now. He threw four interceptions in the loss to the Chiefs and he threw three interceptions in Week 10 against the Raiders. It is the first time he’s ever thrown seven interceptions in a two-game stretch in his career. Rivers turns 38 in less than three weeks. He is a free agent after the year. If Rivers continues to decline the rest of the season, the Chargers may not opt to re-sign him.

The Broncos’ ability to hold a lead: The Broncos are 3-7 and appear destined for a top-10 draft pick. But they compete much better than their record indicates. Still, the bottom line is they can’t finish game. There wasn’t a more stark reminder of what he 2019 Vic Fangio Broncos are than what happened in Week 11 at Minnesota. The Broncos were beating the Vikings, 20-0, at halftime only to see Minnesota come back to win. What a gut punch. But the Broncos are used to it. It was their fourth blown lead in the fourth quarter this season. The Broncos’ could be contenders, but they won’t be until Fangio figures out how to finish.