The Kansas City Chiefs have gone back to the top of the AFC West standings. They’re not the team that blew with opponents the last two periods, but they are discovering methods to beat the groups they should. 4 straight success have moved the Chiefs to 7-4.
That’s one win in advance of the remainder of the division. The Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders and also Denver Broncos have all discovered their way to 6-5.
Week 13 competitions could give a little separation for the Chiefs. Or they can just jumble the standings, without actually transforming a lot. The Chargers try to recuperate versus the Cincinnati Bengals. The Raiders encounter the Washington Football Team in a competition of groups gaining late-season energy. As well as the Broncos seek to finish the Chiefs’ winning touch. All four AFC West teams will be expecting a minimum of a share of the department lead.
SportsLine’s Larry Hartstein breaks down AFC West competitions in Week 13.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, December 5, 1:00 p.m. on CBS
The Chargers began the season solid, determining just how to get the close success that had formerly thwarted them. They’ve struggled some lately, most lately falling 28-13 to the Broncos in Week 12. Justin Herbert tossed for 303 yards and two goals. He was also chosen off twice, among which was returned for a goal. Austin Ekeler’s 12 carries just brought about a weak 31 backyards.
The Chargers currently face a Bengals group that dominated the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers a week ago. Joe Mixon competed 165 backyards and 2 touchdowns on 28 brings. Joe Burrow had an extra small afternoon, going an efficient 20-24 for 190 lawns, one TD as well as one INT.
The timing appears inadequate for the Chargers, with Cincinnati shooting on all cylinders. But the truth might be rather the contrary.
” I believe this is a really excellent spot for them,” said Hartstein, “due to the fact that Cincinnati goes to the top of the market value. They might not have actually looked any type of much better. Teams coming off blowout success of more than 30-plus points traditionally an extremely bad ATS wager the following week, where as the Chargers coming off an extremely down performance. As well as I assume this is a good spot, because Austin Ekeler must have a monster day. The Bengals really struggle defending running backs out of the backfield. They have not dealt with any kind of running rear of his caliber capturing the ball. I believe they keep it close. I’ll take the field goal. If it increases to 3.5 or four, I’m certainly taking the Chargers.”
Washington Football Team @ Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, December 5, 4:05 p.m.
. The Raiders entered their Thanksgiving Day game against the Cowboys as large underdogs. And also they entrusted the overtime win. It had not been the most beautiful of victories, nevertheless. The Raiders devoted 14 charges for 110 lawns, and also they enabled Dak Prescott to toss for 209 yards in the 4th quarter alone. 5 drives finished in field goals. However, Derek Carr tossed for 373 yards and also a goal, going 24-39. Josh Jacobs had 22 lugs for 89 yards.
The Raiders will encounter a Washington Football Team that has drawn itself back into the NFC East race. It’s newest win came over the Seattle Seahawks on Monday evening. Once more, it wasn’t quite. Thought the WFT protection has improved upon its early-season distress, it allowed Russell Wilson march the size of the field for a goal in the last 2 minutes. Just an interception on a two-point conversion attempt protected against likely overtime. Taylor Heinicke kept plays to life with his elusiveness, yet he had a hard time to place the sphere ultimately area. Antonio Gibson accumulated 111 yards, however he needed 29 reaches do it.
” It’s an excellent match,” according to Hartstein, “because the Raiders evidently have actually figured things out. Today no Darren Waller is a substantial loss. They don’t actually have a great deal of other excellent targets, aside from Hunter Renfro. As well as Washington has won three right. Considering that the bye, they’re a completely various team. This is going to be a close video game. Right now. I’m mosting likely to pass on the side of this game. I can not wait to enjoy it, since I believe we have two teams that can both make the playoffs.”
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, December 5, 8:20 p.m.
. The Chiefs are looking a bit even more like the group everyone anticipated after winning the AFC the last 2 years. A harsh timetable early was followed by some bad efficiencies, consisting of a 27-3 going away act against the Tennessee Titans in late October. The Chiefs haven’t shed given that. They’ve rattled four straight success to slip into the AFC West lead. As well as they’ve done it with a little aid from the run as well as the protection video game. Patrick Mahomes has also looked much better at times, most especially tossing for 406 lawns as well as five TDs in their 41-14 shellacking of the Raiders a few weeks back. His struggles continue, nevertheless.
The Chiefs are coming off a bye, as well as their remaining routine is full of video games versus AFC challengers, including four against teams in their department. That starts against the Broncos this coming Monday.
The Broncos topped the Chargers in Week 12, many thanks, in huge component, to 147 backyards on the ground. Melvin Gordon and also Javonte Williams incorporated for the majority of that. Denver’s passing away game, led by Teddy Bridgewater, isn’t amongst the league’s more efficient. They average 223.7 backyards per game, which puts them in the bottom half of NFL offenses. The stout Broncos protection, leading 10 in regards to points and also yards allowed, included Ekeler, though Herbert had the ability to relocate the sphere via the air.
The Broncos match up well with the Chiefs for the first of their conferences this period. Include the competition variable as well as the limited department race, and this comes to be a better matchup than the existing spread might suggest.
” It’s hard to lay double-digits versus Teddy Bridgewater,” Hartstein notes. “He’s 19-4 against the spread as a roadway underdog. As well as also if the Chiefs were to go up by 17 factors, he can get you via the backdoor to a minimum of push the 10-point spread. Denver has a terrific pass protection, or I should state an above typical pass protection. When you’re encountering the Chiefs, and also that’s what you require. The group that defeated Denver in this four-game win touch was Philly, and also they competed 216 lawns, 5.5 lawns per lug. The Chiefs are not set as much as do that. Denver is actually developed well to stop what Kansas City does. And Javonte Williams, this running back for Denver, is so interesting to enjoy. Teddy’s additionally got a really good actors of receivers as well as a great pair great tight ends. I assume Denver keeps it close. I’m taking the points.”