AFC West Recap – Week Two

Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos strong safety Quinton Carter (38) linebacker Lamin Barrow (57) defensive end Malik Jackson (97) defensive tackle Marvin Austin (76) and defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (98) line up in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

One last look back at week two before I turn my focus to week three!  The Denver Broncos improved their record to 2-0 with a 24-17 victory over the Kansas City  Chiefs while the San Diego Chargers upset the Seattle Seahawks 30-21, and the Oakland Raiders fell to 0-2 with a 30-14 loss to the Houston Texans.  For my thoughts on each of these games please continue reading.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos: For the second week in a row the Broncos offense built a big first half lead, was unable to build on it, and then had to rely on the defense to make a stop late in the game in order to preserve the win.  Behind three Peyton Manning touchdown passes to Julius Thomas, DeMaryius Thomas, and Jacob Tamme, the Broncos went into the locker room with a comfortable 21-10 lead.  The Chiefs, who won the opening coin toss and deferred their possession to the second half, took the third quarter kickoff and went on an 80-yard, ten minute drive.  Fortunately, the drive ended with a missed Kansas City field goal.  Toward the end of the game the Chiefs once again drove down the field and had an opportunity to tie the game with a touchdown and extra point but a fourth down pass by Alex Smith was tipped by Terrance Knighton, securing the win.  In the last two weeks the Broncos offense has put together two solid halves of football, albeit in different games.  The Broncos will have to play well for two halves this Sunday if they want to improve their record to 3-0.  The Broncos travel to Seattle for the much-anticipated rematch of Super Bowl XLVIII.

Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers:  San Diego did what Bronco fans hope their team does this Sunday – beat the Seattle Seahawks.  San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers connected with Antonio Gates for three touchdowns, giving the Chargers their first win of the season, and handing Seattle their first loss of the season.  After two weeks, both teams find themselves at 1-1.  Playing in extreme heat, the Chargers weren’t afraid to attack Richard Sherman, unlike the Green Bay Packers in week one.  No doubt, Peyton Manning will take note of the San Diego approach and attempt to capitalize on the items that worked for San Diego when the Broncos face the Seahawks in week three.  In a way, I wish Seattle was 2-0 but it was pleasant to see a team beat them, I’m just sorry it had to be the Chargers.  I’m just not sure how Seattle will react to the upset loss in San Diego.

Houston Texans at Oakland Raiders:  The Oakland Raiders are who we thought they were.  I was expecting a bit more from the Raiders in week two after the Raiders travelled to New York in week one and only lost 19-14 against the New York Jets.  I guess that shows what we can expect from the Jets and Raiders this season….. not very good football teams, at least early in the season.  Oakland was pounded by the Houston Texans!  The Raiders two touchdowns in the game didn’t come until there was less than five minutes remaining in the game.  It’s not good for a football team to start off the season 0-2, it’s even worse when the players verbally share their frustration.  After the game, Raider defensive back Charles Woodson very matter-of-factly came out and said “we suck”.  This week, Derek Carr echoed Woodson’s comments somewhat when he claimed “I’m with him” when asked about Woodson’s statement.  Carr threw two interceptions in only his second professional start.  It doesn’t get any easier for the Raiders this week when they make another cross-country trip to face the New England Patriots.

Go Broncos!

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