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Around the AFC West: Wrapping up the regular season edition

By Ellen Mathis

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 29: Running back Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with fans after the Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 31-21 to win the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 29: Running back Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with fans after the Chiefs defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 31-21 to win the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 20: A billboard featuring the words “THE RAIDERS ARE COMING” and an image of Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is seen on the construction site of the Raiders USD 1.8 billion, glass-domed stadium on December 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The stadium is scheduled to be open for the Raiders and the UNLV Rebels football teams in 2020. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 20: A billboard featuring the words “THE RAIDERS ARE COMING” and an image of Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is seen on the construction site of the Raiders USD 1.8 billion, glass-domed stadium on December 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The stadium is scheduled to be open for the Raiders and the UNLV Rebels football teams in 2020. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Let’s take a look at the season wrap for the AFC West divisional foes and look ahead at the Chiefs playoff chances on Divisional Weekend.

The regular season has officially come to a close. I am simultaneously thrilled (because the Kansas City Chiefs are entering the postseason with a first round bye) and sad (because it means that we are inching closer to that dreaded time when there is no football).

Despite these mixed emotions, let’s take a look around the AFC West…

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders (soon to be the Las Vegas Raiders) ended the season on a low note. While their playoff hopes technically remained alive on Sunday, they were certainly a longshot. When a field goal sailed wide of the uprights, the Raiders had the ball in good field position with 1:41 left in the game. The Denver Broncos were doing everything in their power to hand the game to the Raiders.

The Raiders marched down the field and scored a touchdown but opted to go for the win rather than the tie. With seven seconds left in regulation, Derek Carr tried a pass to Hunter Renfrow for a two point conversion but Shelby Harris got his hand in the way and knocked the ball down. The Raiders came out with a loss in their last game based in Oakland.

The Raiders officially move to Las Vegas this year. There are questions circling the team, particularly at the quarterback position. Derek Carr has posted pretty bad numbers. Because of that, will Jon Gruden keep him around? Or will some quarterback in the draft catch Gruden’s eye? It remains to be seen.

Regardless, the Raiders have put together a roster that has some impressive pieces. If they can stay healthy the Raiders have a chance at having a strong first season in Las Vegas. They can also add more in this draft, since the Raiders have two first round picks this year—their own first rounder and another first that come from the Chicago Bears in the Khalil Mack trade.

We’ll see where they believe their weaknesses are come draft day.

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