Week 14 is in the books and the division is now down to three teams with one team pretty much out of it. Let’s get this thing started.
GRADES
Raiders
When the very first play is a fumble and a scoop and score for your opponent, you know you are screwed. Derek Carr was 33 of 45 (73.3%) for 263 yards a touchdown and a interception. Josh Jacobs had 9 carries for 24 yards with 5 receptions for 46 yards. Hunter Renfrow had 13 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss. Daniel Carlson was 1 for 1 on fieldgoals and 0 for 1 on extra points. 5 turnovers and 1 touchdown is not a recipe for victory.
Grade: F-
Chiefs
This was a complete win in every aspect of the game. Patrick Mahomes was 20 of 24 (83.3%) for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns with 4 carries for 20 yards. Derrick Gore had 9 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown with 2 receptions for 23 yards. Tyreek Hill had 4 receptions for 76 yards. The defense had 4 sacks and a interception with 4 forced fumbles and recoveries with one returned for a touchdown. Harrison Butker was 2 for 2 on fieldgoals and 6 for 6 on extra points. The Chiefs destroyed the Raiders plain and simple.
Grade: A+
Chargers
This could have been a trap game but the Chargers were having none of that. Justin Herbert was 23 of 31 (74.1%) for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns with 4 carries for 19 yards. Austin Ekeler had 12 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown with 2 receptions for 17 yards. Jalen Guyton had 3 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss with a interceptions and forced fumble and recovery. Dustin Hopkins was 3 for 3 on fieldgoals and 4 for 4 on extra points. Hard to beat this team when Herbert plays with his “A” game.
Grade: A
Broncos
The Broncos started the game with 10 players on the field in remembrance of Demaryius Thomas (RIP) and then proceeded to run the ball down the Giants throat. Teddy Bridgewater was 18 of 25 (72%) for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns. Melvin Gordon had 24 carries for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns while his backfield mate Javonte Williams had 15 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown with 1 reception for 10 yards and a touchdown. Noah Fant had 4 receptions for 51 yards. The defense had 2 sacks and 5 tackles for loss with a interceptions and forced fumble and recovery. Brandon McManus was 1 for 1 on fieldgoals and 5 for 5 on extra points. This win keeps the Broncos in the playoff and division title hunt.
Grade: A
PREDICTION
Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers (Thursday)
This is the King Kong vs Godzilla game of the division. If the Chargers win, they would complete the sweep of the Chiefs and take first place in the division with the head to head tie breaker. If the Chiefs win, they take a two game lead in the division with three games to play. Buckle up!
Chiefs 28 Chargers 24
Spread: -4 Chiefs
Over/Under: 51
Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns (Saturday)
This is the ultimate bad juju game for the Raiders, east coast game with the weather predicted to be 38 degrees, playing the #4 ranked rushing team while they are the 7th worst run defense. Point blank, NO BUENO!!!
Browns 31 Raiders 10
Spread: +6 Raiders
Over/Under: 42.5
Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos
The Broncos have won 4 of their last 6 games with stellar defense and a hell of a running tandem while the Bengals have lost 4 of their last 6 games surrendering an average of 35.5 points a game in each of those loses.
Broncos 24 Bengals 20
Spread: -1.5 Broncos
Over/Under: 43.5
Last week: 3-0 Season: 26-19
With three teams with a shot for the playoffs and even the division title, the next few weeks are going to be really interesting and fun. Enjoy!