Around the AFC West: Are the Raiders figuring it out?

Let’s look at the Raiders finally starting to click, the Broncos still failing to score touchdowns and dissect the Chiefs loss to the Bengals.

Well that was certainly not a fun Sunday.

I really thought the Kansas City Chiefs would have it in them to avenge what happened last year, but mistakes and poor play let the Cincinnati Bengals grab their third victory over the Chiefs. What I thought could be a fluke is turning more into a pattern. Are the Bengals the new boogeyman? We’ll get into all that, but before we do, let’s look at the rest of our AFC West rivals to see how they did last week as the Chiefs look to secure their seventh AFC West crown.

Las Vegas Raiders // Los Angeles Chargers

The Raiders and Chargers faced off in a divisional match that all but sealed the fate of the Chargers this year. The Chargers have been snakebitten for years and it was no different this year. The biggest problem, however, is that it looks like maybe the Raiders are starting to click. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think they are good enough to challenge for the division, but Josh Jacobs is playing out of his mind.

Not only that, but the Derek Carr – Davante Adams connection could be real. You don’t get these kinds of receiving yards if you and your quarterback aren’t clicking.

On the other side, the Chargers just can’t seem to do enough to get over the hump. They came close to a miraculous win when Herbert heaved an incredible toss to Keenan Allen, but it just wasn’t enough.

The Chargers are still sitting in second place in the division but absent a miracle, they are certainly not winning the AFC West and remain on the bubble for a wildcard spot. Same with the Raiders, but if I was going to guess, I think the Raiders are trending up while the Chargers are trending down. I think the Chargers miss again this year and waste yet another great year of Justin Herbert. I also think the Raiders could sneak in because I don’t believe in the Patriots or the Jets.

Next week, the Chargers get a tough matchup against the Dolphins. The Dolphins are still in contention to win their division while a loss for the Chargers and a win for the Chiefs secures the Chiefs 7th AFC West crown. I think the Chargers lose to Tua and Tyreek and the Chargers fall behind the Raiders in the AFC West.

The Raiders, on the other hand, get the Rams. Will we see Baker Mayfield take the field? I hope so. How funny would it be if the Raiders dropped that game? I don’t think they will but one can dream. As the Raiders start to figure things out, it makes me wonder if that last game of the season will become difficult and all the more important to Chiefs fans…