AFC West Preview – Week Three

Ever since the 2014 Denver Bronco schedule was released the week three match up against the Seattle Seahawks was on a lot of fans radars due to the results of Super Bowl XLVIII.  Well, week three is here and it’s time to see what happens in the great Northwest.  Not only are the Broncos on the road, the other three AFC West teams are traveling as well.  For my thoughts and predictions on the Bronco game, plus the match-ups that await the San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Oakland Raiders, please continue reading.

Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks:  Offensively the Broncos have put together two great halves of football in the 2014 season.  Unfortunately those two halves have come in two different games.  Because of the less than expected offensive output in the second half over the last two weeks, the revamped Bronco defense has had to step up to secure the wins.  This scenario proves that football is the ultimate team game and thanks to both the offense and defense, the Broncos find themselves 2-0 as they prepare for their toughest challenge so far this season.  If the Broncos want to improve to 3-0 they absolutely have to perform well for four quarters.  A sluggish second half like we’ve seen the last two weeks against a team like Seattle, in Seattle will not get you a win – I don’t care how much the defense steps up.  Initially, I thought this game was a bit early in the season but now I am thinking it will be a good litmus test at the right time for the 2014 Denver Broncos just to see where they’re really at and how they handle big games like this one.  After this game, the Broncos get a week four bye and then return to action against the Arizona Cardinals.  Despite last weeks loss to San Diego, the Seahawks still remain a top five team in the league so the Broncos must execute in a way that makes it challenging for the Seahawks.  Notice I didn’t say anything about the Broncos winning?  I think that is partially because the most recent Super Bowl is still fresh in my mind.  Winning a Super Bowl is difficult and I know there is no guarantee of winning the big game once you’re in it, I just wasn’t expecting the blowout I witnessed.  I still don’t know if it was the Broncos unpreparedness or

Aug 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos fans holds a sign in reference to the Seattle Seahawks mascot before the start of a preseason game between the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

if it was Seattle’s total domination that caused the outcome of Super Bowl XLVIII (suspect it was a bit of both obviously) but because of that game, I am slightly concerned about tomorrow.  That being said, I can’t imagine it was hard this week to get the Broncos motivated for this game.  While a Bronco win in Seattle will not change a thing about last seasons despicable ending, it will establish the Broncos as a league power house, even more so than they already are.  So, who wins?  As much as I would love to say the Broncos will win easily, I think they’re going to struggle tomorrow against Seattle.  While I don’t think (or hope) it will be as lopsided as the Super Bowl, I think Seattle will come away with a 7-10 point victory.  It is hard for me to admit that I think the Broncos will lose but I’m just so nervous about this game because of the environment the Broncos are playing in and the challenge that lies before them!  Just because I think the Broncos may lose, it doesn’t mean I don’t want them to win!  I sincerely hope the Broncos coaches and players make me look like a complete fool and totally dominate the Seahawks.  Wouldn’t it be awesome if Denver went to Seattle and put a beating on them like they did to the Broncos last February!  Who knows, anything is possible in the NFL.  Go Broncos!

Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins:  Last week Kansas City travelled to Denver and almost pulled an upset in very comfortable temperatures and favorable weather.  Tomorrow the Chiefs play in Miami where the forecast is to be in the mid to upper eighties and thunderstorms are probable.  No doubt, there will be a bit more humidity in southern Florida than the Mile High City.  We will have to wait and see if the weather is a factor when the Chiefs try to get their first win of the season.  Jamaal Charles suffered a high ankle sprain early in last weeks game and had limited practice this week.  If Charles is unable to go, Knile Davis, who rushed for 79-yards and two touchdowns in the 24-17 loss to Denver in week two, will get the start.  Miami fell to 1-1 after losing 29-10 to the Buffalo Bills last week.  I want the Chiefs losing streak to continue so I will be pulling for the Dolphins to win this game.  Ex -Bronco Knowshon Moreno is out until at least week six after suffering a dislocated elbow in week two.

Oakland Raiders at New England Patriots:  I’ve picked the Raiders the last two weeks and both times they have lost.  In week one, even though they were playing the New York Jets, the final score was somewhat respectable (19-14).  Last week however, the Houston Texans pounded the Raiders 30-14!  The Raiders make another trip across the country to face another AFC East team – the New England Patriots in week three.  While I thought the Raiders had good chances to win their first two games of the season, I am confident that the Raiders will not win this week.  I will go out on a limb and say that the final score of this game may be worse the the week two loss against the Texans.  Because the Broncos travel to New England later this season, I am hoping that the Raiders can be competitive and put a scare into the Patriots.

San Diego Chargers at Buffalo Bills:  Both teams are coming off big wins in week two so this could be considered a marquee matchup for week three.  San Diego handed the Super Bowl champions their first loss of the season 30-21 and Buffalo beat their divisional foe Miami Dolphins 29-10.  I will give the edge to Buffalo because they are at home and I believe that cross-country trips are hard on a team despite the top notch traveling arrangements.  San Diego seems to always be a thorn in the side of the Broncos; sometimes a little thorn, sometimes a big thorn, so I am hoping the Bills improve their record to 2-1 with a victory over the Chargers.

Go Broncos – beat the Seahawks!

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