Denver Broncos divisional recap and Week 2 predictions

The Denver Broncos got off to a rough start to the season following a loss to the Seattle Seahawks and that puts them in an early hole in what is a difficult division. 

The talk all offseason has been centered around how good the AFC West is and that all four teams are playoff contenders and in the minds of some, even Super Bowl contenders.

In Week 1, some of the teams looked that way while others have some work to do.

After Week 1, here is how things look in the division.

Kansas City Chiefs: 1-0

Los Angeles Chargers: 1-0

Las Vegas Raiders: 0-1

Denver Broncos: 0-1

Here is how things went inside the division last week.

Week 1 recap for Denver Broncos and AFC West

The Kansas City Chiefs did not miss a beat without Tyreek Hill, pounding the Arizona Cardinals on the road by 23 points. Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdown passes and for those who thought the Chiefs were going to take a big step back without Hill, there’s just as much of a possibility that the team is even better without him.

The Chargers and Raiders battled in Week 1 in a game that could have gone either way. The Chargers pulled out a 24-19 victory but it seemed clear during the game that the connection between Derek Carr and Davante Adams is going to be good for as long as it is there.

And speaking of good quarterback play, Justin Herbert makes some throws that just don’t seem possible. The Chargers are a legitimate contender in the AFC.

Of course, the Broncos started the season 0-1 following a game laden with mistakes in Seattle.

What is on tap?

Thursday Night Football has a huge game in Week 2 as the Chargers will travel to Arrowhead Stadium to battle the Chiefs. Though it is early in the season, this game could go a long way in determining things within the AFC West this season.

The Raiders will have their first game at home, welcoming the same Cardinals team that the Chiefs just beat up on.

Of course, the Broncos will host the Houston Texans in a game that has to be seen as a must-win for the team.

Week 2 predictions

Chargers vs. Chiefs: This is a tough game to call as both of these teams look quite good. The Chiefs will be without their kicker, Harrison Butker, but the Chargers will have to be that team that goes on the road on a short week and they’ll do so without No. 1 receiver Keenan Allen.

The Chargers are going to have a good season but the Chiefs were clicking on all cylinders this past Sunday and there is no reason to believe that will change here.

Chiefs 27, Chargers 20

Raiders vs. Cardinals: Neither of these teams is going to want to crawl out of an 0-2 hole, but one of them will have to. The Raiders are the home team and are going to be hungry to get the win for their home crowd, who believe the team could make a deep run this year.

Kliff Kingsbury, Kyler Murray and the Cardinals will give them all they want, but the Raiders won’t start 0-2.

Raiders 31, Cardinals 29

Broncos vs. Texans: For the second week in a row, the Broncos have the easiest game in the division. They absolutely can’t lay an egg here the way they did in Seattle.

The Texans managed a tie against the Indianapolis Colts last week so perhaps like the Seahawks, they may not be as bad as most thought they would. Still, the Broncos win this game because they have to.

Broncos 27, Texans 16