Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs compete for AFC West title

Los Angeles Chargers

Probably the most promising team in the AFC West at this point in the season is the Chargers. After starting off their season in their new home of Los Angeles 0-4, they have turned things around and made it back to 6-6 and in the race for the division. That’s no easy task when you have one of the four hardest schedules in the league this year.

Quarterback Philip Rivers hopes to make playoffs for the first time since the 2013 season. Once again the Chargers are plagued with injuries putting more on Rivers plate to reach the playoffs. He’s led the team back from a gruesome start and even won AFC Offensive Player of the Week in week 12 against the Broncos.

Wide receiver Keenan Allen has reminded fans why they drafted him this year being healthy for all 12 games for the first time since 2014. Allen, who has been plagued with injuries as well, has come back strong and has the 5th highest receiving yards in the league to prove it. He’s been exceptional these last 3 weeks by setting a record for first NFL Player to have 3 consecutive games with 10 plus catches, 100 plus receiving yards, and 1 or more touchdowns.

Their defense has done their part as well ranking 4th in points given up per game at 17.7. Another impressive stat is they rank 4th in interceptions with 15 on the year. A defense that was underrated last year as they continued to develop young players has found themselves as one of the best in the league in 2017.

With the 4-2 record since the beginning of the season, the Chargers pose the most threat to win the West this year in my opinion. The most overall well-executing team without a doubt since week 5. They are the only team in the division that isn’t lopsided from offense to defense. If the Chargers in on Sunday against the Redskins, they will automatically be tied for first in the division with whoever wins the Chiefs and Raiders game.