AFC West Recap – Week Eight

Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Juwan Thompson (40) carries the ball in the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Week eight is behind us and the Denver Broncos came away with another victory, this time defeating the San Diego Chargers 35-21 on Thursday night.  Please continue reading for a brief recap of the games featuring teams from the AFC West.

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos: Click to here to read my initial thoughts on the Broncos 35-21 victory over the Chargers, which was posted a few days ago.  Looking back on this game, I was thoroughly impressed with the Broncos defense and the Broncos running game.  Sure, Peyton Manning had another good game but that is the norm most of the time; watching the rushing game and defense improve each week builds my confidence because the Broncos will need those elements if they want to be playing in Glendale, Arizona in early February.

Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns: I really thought the Raiders would get their first win of the season in Cleveland but I was wrong.  With the Browns leading 9-6 late in the third quarter, Raiders running back Darren McFadden fumbled, turning the ball over to Cleveland, which they ultimately turned into a touchdown.  Derek Carr fumbled inside the Raiders own ten yard line with approximately three minutes remaining in the game that led to an easy Browns touchdown, basically ending any hopes of a Raiders victory.  The 23-13 Raiders loss was the seventh of the season and when combined with last years six game losing streak to end the 2013 season, it makes it thirteen straight losses for the black-and-silver.  It doesn’t get any easier for the Raiders because in week nine the Raiders travel to Seattle and then welcome the Broncos to Oakland Alameda Coliseum the following week.

St. Louis Rams at Kansas City Chiefs: My prediction of a Chiefs victory was accurate, however, I wish the Rams would have put up a bit more of a fight, I mean they did beat the Seattle Seahawks in week seven, right?!  The Rams took an early lead In the game 7-0 when Rams quarterback Austin Davis connected with Lance Kendricks for a short touchdown pass but it was all downhill from that point for the Rams.  Jamaal Charles rushed for 73-yards on the afternoon and had two touchdowns, while Knile Davis opened the second half by returning the Rams kickoff 99-yards for a touchdown.  Davis added another touchdown run in the fourth quarter.  The dominating 34-7 win improves the Chiefs record to 4-3.  Despite the second win in as many weeks, the Chiefs still find themselves in third place in the AFC West behind San Diego and Denver.  I would expect the Chiefs to get another victory in week nine when the 1-7 New York Jets visit Arrowhead.

Go Broncos – beat the Patriots!