AFC West Roundup: Week 14
The AFC West had a tough week, as three of its four teams fell. (Photos by AP)
In a battle for AFC West supremacy, the Chiefs overpowered Oakland with a 21-point second quarter and shut down the Raiders' powerful passing attack. Tyreek Hill was his usual dynamic self, scoring on a 36-yard reception and a 78-yard punt return, and Kansas City didn't look back. Oakland had a shot at a comeback by forcing two turnovers on the Chiefs' first two possessions of the second half, but the Raiders were unable to get more than a field goal out of the two short fields. Kansas City's defense bent on Oakland's last drive, but it did not break, forcing the Raiders to turn the ball over on downs on fourth-and-5 at the Kansas City 19-yard line.Up next for KC: vs. TitansUp next for OAK: @ San Diego
It was over when: Oakland faced fourth-and-6 after a false start penalty with two minutes left in the game just 19 yards from the end zone. Quarterback Derek Carr threw up a jump ball to Seth Roberts, but safety Terrance Mitchell knocked it down. Kansas City ran out the clock the rest of the way.
Top performers: Tyreek Hill's two touchdowns powered the Chiefs' win. For the Raiders, running back Latavius Murray totaled 103 yards and one touchdown.
The Broncos let a much-needed victory slip away Sunday when they fell to the Titans, 13-10. After a dismal offensive performance in the first half, the Broncos moved the ball and got back on track in the second. Emmanuel Sanders scored a 3-yard touchdown, and Brandon McManus added a field goal to get the Broncos within 13-10. The defense did its part by holding Marcus Mariota to a career-worst passer rating and holding the Titans scoreless in the second half, but it was too little too late. The Broncos couldn't pull off another last-minute, comeback win as they fell to 8-5 on the season.
Player of the game: Â Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas share the honors this week as they combined for 21 catches, 226 receiving yards and a touchdown.
It was over when: Tight end A.J. Derby fumbled the ball at the Denver 41-yard line after a 12-yard reception with 53 seconds to go in the game. The Broncos, trailing by three points and driving, would not recover and lost their chance to complete the comeback win.
Carolina's 23-0 run to open the game proved too difficult to overcome for the Chargers, who once again struggled to limit their turnovers. Quarterback Philip Rivers was responsible for all five, which included three interceptions and two lost fumbles. The problems compounded when running back Melvin Gordon suffered hip and knee strains during the first quarter and had to be carted off the field, and when rookie Joey Bosa suffered a neck injury in the second quarter.
It was over when: Rivers was intercepted by Shaq Thompson with 12:41 remaining in the fourth quarter. Down 10 points, San Diego couldn't afford to waste possessions that late in the game, and the interception eventually led to a Panthers safety, which allowed the Panthers to run more time off the clock once they regained possession on the following free kick.
Top performer: Dontrelle Inman, six receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown
