Reviews and Previews – Chiefs comeback

Nov 22, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Husain Abdullah (39) looks at San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) as Rivers reacts after an incomplete pass during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

AFC West Preview

For week 13 the Chiefs travel back to the AFC West with their contest at Oakland. This may seem like deja vu when last season when the Chiefs looked like they were about to make a big push to the playoffs they traveled to Oakland on a Thursday night and got thumped by the 0-10 Raiders.

The Chiefs had a healthy Jamaal Charles and actually had a better record going into the game than the current season. The Raiders look better than they did last year with Latavius Murray taking the full-time running back position and the amazing play of rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper. The focus has to be there for the Chiefs this time around and nothing can be taken lightly.

The advantage Kansas City has this year over last would be the return of Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito and the drafting of Marcus Peters. The second corner position really struggled in this game last season and Peters has the ability to limit Cooper in this game. The Chiefs need to rely on their run game but go deep on the below average Raiders’ secondary to get a win. Kelce and Maclin should have a big day but don’t expect this to be another AFC West road blowout. Chiefs 30, Raiders 28

Denver will travel to San Diego to give the Chargers their annual whipping in Qualcomm Stadium. While Philip Rivers did look good against the Jacksonville Jaguars and was able to stay on his feet, the Broncos will eat him alive and shut down any down field passing attack.

I don’t expect pass rusher DeMarcus Ware to be back yet but Von Miller does fine without him. The “fans” of San Diego not showing up to games isn’t even funny anymore. Expect more Brock-O fans in the stadium for this blow out and Denver will virtually seal the AFC West with the win. Broncos 35, Chargers 7

Predicted AFC West Standings

Denver (10-2)

Kansas City (7-5)

Oakland (5-7)

San Diego (3-9)

AFC Wild card contender preview

Around the rest of the AFC things may clear up a bit. Four of the pursuers are playing each other while a fifth is playing a non-conference game. The Jets take on the Giants in a home/away game and with the Giants’ receivers outside of Odell Beckham Jr. unable to catch a cold the Jets should be able to take this game. The Jets will key on Beckham Jr. and run all over the Giants with Chris Ivory. Jets 24, Giants 19. 

Houston will travel to Buffalo to take on a very angry Bills team that has lost two close games in a row. This will be a battle of defenses and one receiver offenses. If the Bills can target Sammy Watkins throughout the game they should be able to win at home in the cold. Bills 17, Texans 10.