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

Kansas City Chiefs

Has your heart rate come down yet from that thriller against the Detroit Lions? My FitBit says I exercised for like 3.5 hours on Sunday (kidding, but you get the point). This game was very close. Hats off to Lions head coach Matt Patricia for a well executed game plan given their injuries in the secondary.

The Chiefs played sloppy, turned the ball over multiple times in the third quarter, were miscommunicating on routes, and seemed out of sync overall. Special teams had a particularly tough day with a host of penalties, a missed field goal, and fumbles. For a piece of the team coached by Dave Toub, that was a surprise. I think there may be windsprints in their future.

Regardless, the Chiefs stepped up in a couple surprising ways. First, opportunistic recoveries on defense. Hats off to Bashaud Breeland for his fumble recovery and will to play until the whistle. Second, kudos to the running game, the only way the Chiefs could score touchdowns on Sunday. Third, that hook and ladder. Every single game comes with a moment where I just laugh at how ridiculous this offense is. Even on their worst days, they still manage to be great. If you haven’t seen it (or if you want to laugh again), here it is:

Finally, it almost goes without saying that the Chiefs have a star in Patrick Mahomes. When all else fails, this man will throw all 52 other players on his back and drag them to a victory if he has to. What a game winning drive. Is this what it feels like to be in a dynasty?

The Chiefs had a couple guys get banged up in the win. First, defensive end Alex Okafor left the game with a hip injury, but Andy Reid has said he will be okay. Additionally, linebacker Damien Wilson left the game to enter concussion protocol, but it sounds like that was a mix up and he could have returned. Either way, it will be good to watch these two as the week progresses.

On a positive note, running back LeSean McCoy looked great after working through an ankle injury this past week and, prior to the game, wideout Tyreek Hill was catching passes. His return looks imminent.

The Chiefs get their debut in primetime this year on Sunday night when they host the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are coming off a loss to the Raiders (somehow). This was supposed to be a rematch of last years divisional game, but with the retirement of Andrew Luck, this isn’t quite as exciting as it was supposed to be. Either way, this will be the first time this year that the Chiefs will be under the big lights.

The Colts have played good football this year, but are facing some injuries to linebacker Darius Leonard, who is currently in concussion protocol, and safety Malik Hooker, out with a torn meniscus. Additionally, running back Marlon Mack injured his ankle against the Raiders and did not return. If these three remain out for next week, I expect big games from the Chiefs defense (who still have yet to prove they can stop the run) and Travis Kelce.

Opening line odds for the Chiefs in Week 5: -11

Game time is 7:20 p.m.

Also, if you are going to the game, don’t forget to do this:

I’m jealous I can’t be there! As always, thanks for reading! Check back next week as we recap Week 5 and look ahead to Week 6.