AFC West Preview – Week Fifteen
By Craig Hurst
Dec 8, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (27) runs with the ball during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos close out their home schedule and kickoff week fifteen with a nationally televised game on Thursday night. The Broncos first regular season game this year was also at home on a Thursday night and Peyton Manning threw for seven touchdown passes. Thursday nights are always nice because you know the weekend is near, they are especially nice when you know the Broncos are playing! For more thoughts on this game, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders, please continue reading.
San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos: Put your seatbelt on Bronco fans – I think this game may be similar to the Denver/Dallas game in week five – whoever has the ball last will probably win this game. The Broncos are leading the league in passing yards per game (341.2) and points per game (39.6), while the Charges are rated fourth in passing yards per game (288.7) and are tied at eleventh in the league for points per game (24.3). To make these offensive stats more glaring, the Broncos pass defense allows 274.3 yards per game (29th) and gives up 26.5 points per game (25th). The Chargers pass defense is about the same caliber as the Broncos pass defense – 266.7 yards allowed per game (28th) and 22.4 points per game (11th). Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers may both have great nights statistically, but I am unsure who will win. Both teams are coming off blowout wins and short preparation weeks. Thankfully, the Broncos control their own destiny regarding the division and home field advantage in the playoffs so I don’t expect a letdown. I am hoping the Broncos defense proves me wrong and comes out and shuts down Rivers and the entire Chargers offense. This will be a difficult task obviously, not only due to the Chargers high-powered offense, but the Broncos missing personnel. Of the three remaining games left on the Broncos schedule, this game definitely looks like it will be the most difficult, at least on paper.
Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders: This week I will have to pull for the black-and-silver to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. It is apparent that the Chiefs offensive passing game is improving so the Raiders will have to shut this down if they expect to send the Chiefs back to the Midwest with their fourth loss of the season. While the Broncos have a one game advantage over Kansas City in the division race, a Kansas City loss would put me a bit more at ease. The Raiders are 4-9 and have lost their last three games. Even though I want the Raiders to win, it certainly appears that the Chiefs will win this game…. relatively easily. Knowing that this is the AFC West and whenever two teams play each other it is always a battle, I will be hoping that the Raiders and their fans find a way to pull this major upset!
Go Broncos – beat the Chargers!
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