AFC West Recap – Week Ten

Nov 9, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Did you hear that huge exhale around 3:30pm MST on Sunday, November 9th?  I am sure that huge exhale was every member of Broncos Country feeling a bit more comfortable when the Denver Broncos went up 20-10 against the Oakland Raiders right before halftime.  For more thoughts on this game, as well as the other game featuring a team from the AFC West, please continue reading.

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos: I know it is isn’t true, but let’s just say the Broncos were suffering a bit of a hangover from the New England Patriots loss in week nine that led to the slow start against the Raiders.  Uncharacteristic of his typical play, Peyton Manning threw two interceptions early in the game that allowed the Raiders to take a 10-6 lead.  In a game that most fans thought the Broncos would win easily, the Raiders were definitely out-playing the Broncos early on.  The Raiders early lead definitely gave the Raiders fans hope and kept them in the game.  While watching at home, I was very nervous with the slow start but realized there was a lot of time left in the game.  While the Broncos had time on their side, my confidence was very low because the Broncos just looked out of sync – I don’t know if it was them or credit needs to be given to the Raiders?  Probably both, actually.  I tried to block out the thought of the Raiders getting their very first win of the season against the Denver Broncos.  With about three minutes remaining in the first half and facing third-and-eight, Manning completed a short pass to C.J. Anderson who made a few fantastic moves and took it 51-yards for the Broncos first touchdown of the game, as well as the Broncos first lead of the game.  The touchdown pass was the first of five for Peyton Manning as the Broncos added another score before halftime and never looked back.  Manning connected twice with Emmanuel Sanders and twice with Julius Thomas.  While the Broncos started slow, they definitely turned it around and finished fast.  The “turn-around” was so thorough, it allowed Manning to sit out the entire fourth quarter.  The 41-17 win improves the Broncos record to 7-2 and keeps them one game ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs in the division.

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills:  Similar to last year, the Buffalo Bills were on the verge of scoring against the Chiefs and taking a commanding lead but a turnover changed the game.  Last year the Chiefs intercepted a pass and returned it 100-yards for a touchdown, killing a Buffalo drive (and possible score) tieing the game at 10-10 (Chiefs went on to win 23-13); this year with Buffalo leading 10-3, Bills running back Bryce Brown fumbled near the goal line giving the Chiefs the ball at the 20-yard line due to the fumble going out of the end zone.  The turnover, while didn’t directly result in points for the Chiefs, did prevent the Bills from going up 17-3 and allowed the Chiefs to get back in the game.  Trailing 13-3 in the fourth quarter, Jamaal Charles scored a rushing touchdown of 39-yards and then Alex Smith put the Chiefs ahead for good when he rushed for an eight-yard touchdown with about nine minutes remaining in the game.  The 17-13 win is the fourth consecutive win for the Chiefs and allows them to keep pace with the Broncos for first place in the division, albeit one game behind.

Go Broncos!

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