Around the AFC West: Raiders rise, Broncos sink in Week 4

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers experienced what can only be termed as a bye this week when they traveled to Miami to take on the purposefully tanking Dolphins.  The Dolphins are in a complete spiral  and the Chargers took advantage.

While the game initially started off close after a touchdown from Josh Rosen to DeVante Parker, Philip Rivers, Austin Ekeler, and the oft injured remainder of the roster dug out a win. The Chargers never punted during the game and eliminated so many of the things (kicking mistakes, penalties) that caused them to lose last week.

Is this the real Chargers team or is it a fluke? It remains to be seen, but what matters is that the Chargers pulled to .500 on the year with a decisive 30-10 win over the Dolphins.

The Chargers, the cursed team of the AFC West, saw a slew of injuries leaving Sunday’s game. Kicker Michael Badgley is still sidelined with a groin injury leaving punter Ty Long to handle those duties. In addition, defensive end Melvin Ingram left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return. Tight end Sean Culkin tore his Achilles in the game and is out for the season. Finally, Dontrelle Inman injured his quad in the fourth quarter.

On the plus side, however, star running back Melvin Gordon ended his holdout this week and was active for the game. He did not take any snaps and was purely there as insurance, but he will be a welcome addition to a hobbled offense.

Next week, the Chargers host the Denver Broncos in an AFC West showdown. The Broncos are having one of the worst weeks and seasons in recent memory. I never thought John Elway could possibly outdo last season’s disaster, but he has done it. This Chargers team has the talent, but often gets in their own way—hence the phrase “Chargering” as in “The Chargers are Chargering again.”

I do think, though, that having two games in a row against floundering opponents will allow the team to get right. I do not think the Broncos (barring a miracle) will be able to stop the Chargers—in particular, wide receiver Keenan Allen, who has had a great season so far, and Melvin Gordon. I think the Chargers pull out a fairly easy win.

Opening line odds for the Chargers in Week 5: -6.5.

Game time is 3:05 p.m. C.T.