AFC West – Week Four Divisional Recap
Week four left the Chiefs as the only undefeated team in the league and looking like championship material. The Chargers showed more potential this week and the inter-division game left a quarterback down. After week four this is how the AFC West stands after week four:
Kansas City Chiefs 4 and 0
Denver Broncos 3 and 1
Oakland Raiders 2 and 2
Los Angeles Chargers 0 and 4
The Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs took on the Washington Redskins
What they did well:
Alex Smith passed for 293 yards. Made a touchdown pass, ran for a touchdown and left his teammates shouting MVP. Offensive standouts included Travis Kelce with 111 yards on seven receptions. Kareem Hunt rounded out the offensive trifecta with 101 yards rushing.
Where they need improvement:
Alex Smith has been sacked sixteen times in four games. The offensive line is going to have to tighten up and protect their quarterback. While the Redskins defensive line was attacking Smith, the Chiefs could not get to Kirk Cousins. A win is a win but the lack of pressure may catch up with Chiefs in a tougher game.
What is Next:
The Chiefs travel to Houston to take on the Texans.
The Denver Broncos
The Broncos hosted division rivals the Oakland Raiders
What they did well:
The Broncos kept the pressure on Derek Carr and sacked him three times. The Denver defense shut down the Raiders running game allowing only twenty-four rushing yards. Von Miller has registered a sack in every game this season. Balance was the key to the Broncos defense with 180 yards passing and 143 yards rushing. Trevor Siemian did not let last week’s game keep him down, he bounced back and played a solid game.
Where they need improvement:
Trevor Siemian had to remain cool under fire as his line allowed the Raiders to sack him four times. On the defensive side of the ball, while the Raiders were held to minimal rushing, the Denver defense fell short when it came to defending against the pass. In a lackluster game, Carr still managed to pass for 250 yards.
What is Next:
The Broncos are off for week five.
The Oakland Raiders
The Raiders went to Denver for week four for an AFC West inter-division game.
What they did well:
The Raiders substantially improved their passing game from week three. Carr completed 60% of his passes for 250 yards. Giorgio Tavecchio who took over for the injured Sebastian Janokowski came through when needed scoring a thirty-eight yard field goal and an extra point. Khalil Mack marked his third consecutive game with a sack.
Where they need improvement:
The Raiders allowed their quarterback to be injured again. The injury to Carr late last season was the reason many believe the Raiders did not advance in the playoffs. The three sacks by the Broncos took its toll on Carr leaving him out with a back injury. Penalties plagued the Raiders as they lost 75 yards on seven penalties. Some back to basics practices would go a long way to help the Raiders immensely.
What is next:
The Raiders host the Baltimore Ravens.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers hosted the Philadelphia Eagles
What they did well:
With fourteen points in the fourth quarter the Chargers came within a field goal of pulling off an upset. The Chargers’ 24 points against the Eagles is their season high which shows continued improvement. With 342 yards passing Philip Rivers gave the Charger fans a glimmer of hope. Keenan Allen lead receivers with 138 yards on five receptions.
Where they need to improve:
The running game is an issue for the Chargers. The Chargers only covered fifty-eight yards on the ground. The Charger defense allowed 214 yards rushing by the Eagles. The Chargers are going to have to learn how to shut -down their opponent’s game if they want to succeed. The Chargers have to stop giving away the ball more than they take it. They only had one more fumble than the Eagles but you cannot win games losing on the give-away/take-away column.
What is Next:
The Chargers go to New York to take on the Giants.