Around the AFC West: Philip Rivers fades, Raiders embarrass themselves

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Denver Broncos in a must win game. While the Chiefs have secured the division, they are still hunting for the number two seed and a first round bye. The weather was not great but that did not stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Mahomes said after the game that he felt even better throwing in the snow because it created a stickiness and you could certainly see that. The gunslinger came back to form and the Chiefs offense looked pretty good against a good defense.

Travis Kelce had a monster game and set an NFL record, recording his fourth 1,000-yard season in a row and setting the record for most receiving yards by a tight end in their first seven seasons. Tyreek Hill found the endzone twice and showed off his Cheetah speed even in the snow. Finally, Harrison Butker set a record for the most points scored in a player’s first three seasons. The offense might be clicking again after looking off for about a month – and it is the perfect time.

The Defense. What more can I say about the defense. Guys, I think they are for real. They were effective against the run, shut down the opposing wide receivers and tight ends, and made Drew Lock’s clean white jersey dirty from the get go. If this defense continues this way and the offense clicks, can they be stopped? Tyrann Mathieu and Juan Thornhill look like the next great safety duo and Frank Clark (after losing 20 pounds in two weeks due to this stomach bug) is wrecking the game. I’m thrilled.

A notable injury to watch heading into the final stretch of the season is Alex Okafor. He only played five snaps before he left with what was described as a pectoral injury. While Demone Harris stepped up nicely in his absence, Okafor has been having a great year and it would be nice to have him healthy for the postseason. Andrew Wylie also suffered a “not serious” ankle injury towards the end of the game. His status will be one to watch as well.

The Chiefs are headed to the Windy City (and so am I!) to take on the Chicago Bears and our old friend Matt Nagy. When I originally purchased these tickets, I thought this was going to be a much better game, but the Bears have really struggled this season. Despite that, they have looked better of late and this will be a closer game than I would have thought a month ago.

The Bears defense is solid and Khalil Mack is not an unfamiliar face. I do think the offense will be able to handle that defense, though. On the other side of the ball, the Chiefs defense has continued to impress. I predict they make Mitch Trubisky look flustered and uncomfortable and that the Chiefs will enjoy another win.

Opening line odds for the Chiefs in Week 16: -5.0.

Game time is 7:25 p.m.