Around the AFC West: Is this the NFL’s worst division?

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers traveled to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 8. The Bears have been an absolute disaster this year with Mitchell Trubisky playing poorly and their defense taking a step back. The Chargers, however, have done Charger things.

The Bears seem to have done more Chargering this week than the actual Chargers. In yet another game that came down to a kick, this one finally went the Chargers’ way. In a bizarre coaching decision, the Bears watched the final seconds tick away as they took a knee indicating the intent to kick a game-winning field goal.

We all remember that the Bears have been plagued by the double doink from last year, so with bated breath, we watched as Eddy Pineiro took the field to kick. His 41-yard attempt sailed wide left and the Chargers took home a victory.

The Chargers did not necessarily look sharp and they certainly don’t look like a team that will compete for the AFC crown, much less the AFC West crown, but a win is a win. It keeps them in the fight and makes the upcoming Mexico game against the Chiefs all the more important.

Russell Okung made his return after being sidelined with a pulmonary embolism, but suffered a calf injury that has been reported as minor. He does believe he will be on the field on Sunday.

Next Sunday, the Chargers host the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are clearly the better team but the Chargers have to win if they have any hope of the postseason. Despite that, I don’t think the Chargers can hang with the Packers and I anticipate another loss for the struggling Chargers.

Opening line odds for the Chargers in Week 9:  Packers by 4.0.

Game time is 3:25 p.m.