Well, another NFL season is coming to an end, but what a season it has been in the AFC West. The Denver Broncos take the division, yet again, the Kansas City Chiefs have had a tremendous turnaround season, and the Chargers have had an improved season as they have made a playoff push. But what better way to end the season than a full rivalry week, as the Broncos will take on the Raiders, and the Chiefs will take on the Chargers. Without further ado, here’s a look at the final regular season matchups for AFC West teams.
The division champion 12-3 Broncos will travel to Oakland to take on the 4-11 Raiders. Peyton Manning surpassed Tom Brady’s single season touchdown record of 50 last week as he now has 51 touchdowns on the season. But Manning isn’t done quite yet. This Sunday he can also break the single season passing yards record currently held by Drew Brees. Brees’ record is 5,476 and Manning currently has 5,211 years on the season. Manning needs 266 yards to surpass Brees, but can do just that against a struggling Raiders defense.
Denver can also break the single season scoring record of 589 which currently belongs to the New England Patriots. They currently have 572 points, and are only 18 points away from the record.
The Broncos will be without both Von Miller and Wes Welker this week as well.
The Raiders will make a switch at the quarterback position this week as Terrelle Pryor will get start. Matt McGloin had been starting for the silver and black, but head coach Dennis Allen feels Pryor gives them a better chance to win against Denver.
The Raiders will try and avoid another 4-12 season, but the Broncos are one of the best in the NFL while the Raiders have struggled even more so these past few weeks. This should be a victory for Denver, but the Raiders will put up a fight and leave it all on the field as their season ends this Sunday.
The 11-4 Chiefs will travel to San Diego to take on the 8-7 Chargers. The Chiefs are already playoff bound, and the Charger could be joining them.
San Diego kept their playoff hopes alive as they beat the Raiders last week. However, they could be eliminated before their game even starts. They would need both the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens to lose. If either of those teams wins their matchups the Chargers will be eliminated from playoff contention.
Regardless, the Chargers have something to play for and that is a season sweep of the Chiefs. Last month the Chargers beat the Chiefs 41-38 in KC. So, the Chiefs will definitely be looking for some revenge.
This has been a turnaround season for KC. Just last year they were the worst team in the league, this year they are playoff bound.
As for the Chargers, Philip Rivers has had a comeback season putting up some impressive numbers after falling off the radar the past few years.
It has been an entertaining season for the AFC West teams, as two, possibly even three, teams will battle for the Superbowl in the playoff this year.