Weekly Grades and Predictions

What a crazy weekend of football. The division played some good, bad and flat out UGLY football. The only thing really good is there is a lot of football to go. Let jump into the fire……

GRADES

Chiefs

Talk about a complete team win, DAMN! The Chiefs offense, defense and special teams got the job done in the snow after a disappointing loss the week before. Patrick Mahomes was 15 of 23 (65%) for 200 yards and a touchdown. Clyde Edwards-Helaire carried 8 times for 46 yards and a touchdown with 1 reception for 17 yards. Tyreek Hill had 6 receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss with 2 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 2 fumble recoveries. Byron Pringle had a 102 kick return for a touchdown and Harrison Butker was 3 for 3 on fieldgoals and 4 of 5 on extra points. This is what a complete team looks like.

Grade: A

Broncos

The Broncos are just not a good team at this point. They were just crushed at home in the snow and it was no winter wonderland for them. Drew Lock was 24 of 40 (60%) for 254 yards and 2 interceptions with 3 carries for 8 yards and a touchdown. Melvin Gordon had 17 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown with 2 receptions for 12 yards but 2 lost fumbles as well. Albert Okwuegbunam had 7 receptions for 60 yards. The defense had 4 sacks and 6 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Brandon McManus was 1 for 1 on fieldgoals and 1 for 2 on extra points. This was bad football.

Grade:D+

Chargers

One thing the entire football world is finding out, Justin Herbert can play! This kid is doing it all and notched his first win as a starter. He was 27 of 43 (63%) for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns with 9 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown. Joshua Kelly had 12 carries for 29 yards with 5 receptions for 24 yards. Keenan Allen had 10 receptions for 125 yards. The defense had 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss with 1 fumble recovery. Michael Badgley was 2 for 3 on fieldgoals and 3 of 4 on extra points. With all of the injuries the Chargers have had they are trending in the right direction.

Grade: B

Raiders

Jon Gruden and his staff should be ashamed of themselves for this performance from their team coming off of a bye week and a big win. The play calling was horrible and the defense is starting to regress in every single area not just the defensive line. Derek Carr was 24 of 36 (67 %) for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception with 2 carries for 19 yards. Josh Jacobs had 10 carries for 17 yards with 3 receptions for 14 yards. Nelson Agholor had 5 receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. The defense had 9 tackles for loss and not much else. Daniel Carlson was 2 for 2 on fieldgoals and 2 for 2 on extra points. This was one of the worse letdowns the Raiders have had in years and it was about play calling and once again failure to make half time adjustments.

Grade: D-

 

PREDICTIONS

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos
This game is always a slugfest (nothing like division games). This one could even be more special as the loser will be in the basement of the division. In the end it will come down to which offense can put up points, advantage Chargers.

Chargers 27 Broncos 23
Spread: -3 Chargers
Over/Under: 44.5

New York Jets at Kansas City Chiefs
This game is going to be a bloodletting. The Jets are one of the worse teams in the league and are going into the lion’s den against one of the best. This thing should be over by halftime.

Chiefs 42 Jets 7
Spread: -19.5 Chiefs
Over/Under: 48.5

Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns
The Raiders played a flat out stinker against the Bucs at home and are going on the road to play in the eastern time zone, NO BUENO! Even though the Browns will be without OBJ, their defense will get it done and the coaching staff will once again NOT make any halftime adjustments.

Browns 31 Raiders 24
Spread: +2.5 Raiders
Over/Under: 53.5
Week 7: 2-1 Season 15-7

“Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence. If you’re in control, they’re in control.” – Tom Landry

Well if this is true, then the entire defensive staff and Head Coach for the Raiders need to be fired or wear Vince Lombardi face masks. Have a great week gents, CHEERS!