The Broncos stayed perfect on the season and gained more distance between them and the rest of the division. (All photos by AP Images unless otherwise noted)
The Broncos won their second divisional road game of the season, defeating the Raiders 16-10. Oakland led in the first half 7-3, however. On this play Bennie Fowler broke out for a 41-yard gain.
The Broncos returned in the second half with a renewed fire on defense. OLB Von Miller gave the Broncos their first takeaway of the day with this sack, forced-fumble and fumble-recovery combination move.
Leading by just two points, this interception returned for a touchdown by Chris Harris Jr. gave the Broncos much-needed padding on their lead.
With DeMarcus Ware leaving the game with a back injury, reserve OLBs Shaquil Barrett (pictured above) and Shane Ray each stepped up to get sacks of their own. Ray's helped put the Raiders in a fourth-and-19 situation late in the game.
The Chargers regained their top tight end with Antonio Gates returning from a four-game suspension for a two-touchdown game. With the Raiders' loss to the Broncos, a win could have put San Diego in the No. 2 spot in the division.
Still without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers struggled to move the chains in the first half. However, the defense gave a helping hand with cornerback Antwon Blake picking off QB Philip Rivers and returning the ball 70 yards for the touchdown.
The Chargers again struggled to run the ball, totaling 52 yards on the ground on 19 attempts (2.7-yard average). With their starting left tackle, left guard and center out with injuries, the offensive line has struggled in the rushing game.
As time wound down in the final quarter of regulation, the Chargers held a three-point lead. However, QB Mike Vick and RB Le'Veon Bell helped Pittsburgh march down the field. With time expiring, Bell took a direct snap and stretched for a touchdown on the final play of the game.
Having lost their three previous games, the Chiefs opened up the game with an early lead via a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Defensive end Allen Bailey forced Bears QB Jay Cutler to fumble in his own end zone and linebacker Ramik Wilson recovered it for the score.
The Chiefs moved out in front by double digits with this touchdown reception by wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas on a screen. With a late field goal, Kansas City headed into halftime up 17-3.
In a matter of three minutes in the fourth quarter, the Bears turned an 11-point deficit into a one-point lead with two late touchdown passes from Jay Cutler, including this game-winner to RB Matt Forte.
Dropping a fourth straight game hurts, obviously, for the Chiefs, but the more lingering impact of this game was the season-ending knee injury to running back Jamaal Charles.
In a week plagued with losses, the Broncos posted the only win in the AFC West in Week 5 and remain atop the division standings as are one of six undefeated teams remaining in the NFL.
Heading into Week 6, the Raiders will sit out on a bye while the remaining three teams head out on the road.
Here's how the teams fared in Week 5:
Denver Broncos (5-0)
Last outing:W 16-10 at Raiders (2-3)
Standouts:Like a broken record, the Broncos defense again stepped up and made a critical game-changing play in the fourth quarter to secure the win. This game, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. returned an interception 74 yards to the house to put the Broncos up two possessions. Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan led the team with 10 combined tackles (seven solo), while four different Broncos got after Oakland quarterback Derek Carr for four sacks.
Up next:The Broncos will look to extend their record to 6-0 with a contest against the Cleveland Browns (2-3).
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Oakland Raiders (2-3)
Last outing:L 16-10 vs. Broncos (5-0)
Standouts:Three red-zone stops and no offensive touchdowns allowed courtesy of the defense wasn't enough for the Raiders against the Broncos. Khalil Mack led the charge with six combined tackles and a sack. Safety Charles Woodson made a pair of key interceptions of quarterback Peyton Manning and four combined tackles on the day.
Up next:The Raiders will enjoy a bye for Week 6.
- Allie Raymond
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San Diego Chargers (2-3)
Last outing: L 24-20 vs. Steelers (3-2)
The Broncos topped the Raiders in Oakland, 16-10. Here are the best shots of the game.
Standouts: Monday night's heartbreaking home loss as time expired was a blow to the Chargers as they looked to move up in the AFC West standings. Tight end Antonio Gates returned from a four-game suspension and caught two touchdowns in his first game of the season and quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 365 yards, but the defense couldn't hold off the Steelers in the final seconds to secure the win.
Up next: The Chargers will head to Lambeau Field to face the Packers (5-0), one of the six remaining undefeated teams.
Kansas City Chiefs (1-4)
Last outing: L 18-17 vs. Bears (2-3)
Standouts: The loss to Chicago hurts, but the lingering impact is the loss of running back Jamaal Charles to a torn ACL for the remainder of the season. Kansas City led early after a forced fumble on QB Jay Cutler by DE Allen Bailey, which was recovered for a Chiefs touchdown. From there they led for all but the final 18 seconds of the game, giving up a 17-3 lead with the Bears scoring two touchdowns in a matter of three minutes.
Up next:The Chiefs head to Minnesota to take on a promising, improving Vikings team (2-2).
- Ben Swanson
