Around the AFC West: Chiefs hope to build on recent division wins
By Ellen Mathis
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers only rival the Kansas City Chiefs in one category: inventing new and increasingly heartbreaking ways to lose. Wow, did they invent a funny one on Sunday. In an effort to keep their postseason dreams alive, the Chargers had to beat divisional rival Denver Broncos in Denver. Rumors swirled heading into the game about Philip Rivers and his ability to keep his starting job. It is certain that those questions will continue after the team’s performance on Sunday.
The Chargers tied the game with a field goal in the final minutes, but gave the ball back to the Broncos with just a few seconds left. Rookie quarterback Drew Lock threw up a Hail Mary in an attempt to move the Broncos within field goal range. Aiming for Courtland Sutton, cornerback Casey Hayward Jr. got in the way. We’ve all hated on the pass interference rule that has been nothing short of chaos this year and it certainly will be debated after this game.
Regardless, Hayward was flagged for defensive pass interference placing the Broncos in field goal range. With only a few seconds left on the clock, the Broncos converted a field goal to beat the Chargers 23-20. The Chargers and Broncos are both certainly out of playoff contention so the attention must turn to next season. The Chargers have an important decision to make at the quarterback position. I personally would love to see Phyllis Rivers cry and complain for another year while padding our defensive stats, but that remains to be seen.
The Chargers did not have any major injuries leaving the game, so that is at least encouraging; however, for a team with this much talent, this is not something to be celebrated. The Chargers should be much better, but they are just bad.
Next week, the Chargers visit the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have struggled ever since they sent mustachioed-jorts wearing Gardner Minshew back to the bench in favor of Nick Foles. Last week, however, Foles was benched and Minshew took the field again. While he struggled in his return and the Jags have generally played poor, they seem to rally around the swagger of Minshew. This will be a tough test for the Chargers and I just don’t know if they have it in them to win.
Opening line odds for the Chargers in Week 14: -3.0.
Game time is 3:05 p.m.