The Chiefs get a cake walk, the Chargers could make a statement. It’s Raider Week for the Broncos.
The Denver Broncos get a chance to sweep the Las Vegas Raiders this week. The Kansas City Chiefs will try and bounce back against the Carolina Panthers. The Chargers will attempt to keep their 2 game lead over Denver in the loss column.
Raider Week is always huge in Broncos Country. It doesn’t matter how bad the Silver and Black are. With the playoff picture shaping up, it adds to the importance of this division rivalry. The Chiefs have a solid grip on the division, which means the battle continues to be for the second spot between the Broncos and Chargers.
Ravenes (7-4, -2.5) at Chargers (7-3, +2.5) O/U 51
Let’s jump straight to Monday Night Football. It’s the Harbaugh Bowl. It’s two second place teams. It’s, supposedly, two run heavy offenses, with young dynamic QB’s that can put points on the board.
The truth is that Baltimore is the best rushing team in the NFL, with the yards, and yards per carry. The Chargers, however, are not what most experts thought they would be. They are 18th in the league in rushing yards, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt.
Jim Harbaugh has relied on Justin Herbert and the passing attack more than anticipated. That seems to be working to the tune a 7-3 and a high probability they will make the playoffs. Then again, they don’t exactly light up the board in the passing attack, either.
The Chargers are in the bottom half of the passing statistics, as well. Which means it has been the defense that has carried the team. That’s a bit of a surprise because of the injuries that have made things difficult for the Chargers.
In the end, this is a very important game. It will impact seeding in the playoffs. It will impact the AFC West standings. The Broncos will could be one step closer to the number two spot in the division after this game, so it has big implications for multiple teams.
The Chargers have battled through big injuries, and Khalil Mack continues to be a question mark for them. This is a big game, and being on Monday night gives him a chance to play, but even without him, the Chargers have played well.
The Ravens would be doing all of Broncos Country a favor if they can win this game. It’s a common opponent, within the conference. The playoff picture is shaping up, and we are all Baltimore fans this week.
Chiefs (9-1, -10.5) at Panthers (3-7, +10.5) O/U 43
We are all Panther fans this week, too. That’s not as likely to work out for anyone, though. The Chiefs finally got got in Week 11. They should have lost to the Broncos, but that’s why they play all 60 minutes, I guess. The Buffalo Bills were finally able to finish the job against the Chiefs, so they go into Carolina with a bit of a chip on their 9-1 shoulder.
The Broncos and Bills may have show the Chiefs to be vulnerable in back to back weeks, but that won’t matter much here. The Panthers have done something many of us thought impossible; win a few games. Not this week.
Andy Reid will have his team ready to go. Patrick Mahomes is still Patrick Mahomes. With De’Andre Hopkins catching passes from him, they will start to become very dangerous. Travis Kelce may be having a down year, but this could be a good week to bounce back for him, too.
And the Chiefs defense is very good. Chris Jones anchors that defense. Steve Spagnolo is one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. This won’t be much of a game. The over/under at 43 might seem low, but it’s more likely than not that the Chiefs do all the scoring in the game, which still puts that number in jeopardy.
No changes on the horizon in the standings this week in the AFC West. However, the Broncos could gain a little on the Chargers if things go right.
The stretch run could be a lot of fun Broncos Country.