AFC West Roundup: Week 4
The Broncos stayed atop the AFC West with their fourth win in as many weeks, and Oakland dropped into a tie with San Diego as the Chiefs lost their third consecutive game. (All photos by AP Images unless otherwise noted)
The Broncos' rushing attack got its breakthrough on Sunday with a 72-yard touchdown run from Ronnie Hillman. The Broncos totaled 144 yards on the ground against the Vikings.
Despite a 48-yard touchdown, the Broncos defense held Adrian Peterson to just 81 yards.
After safety T.J. Ward sacked Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater and forced a fumble, Von Miller recovered it and sealed the victory.
After entering the game as the favorites, the Raiders struggled on the road against the Bears. They battled back from an early deficit with this 26-yard touchdown to Amari Cooper for their first score of the day.
Bears QB Jay Cutler returned to the lineup after missing the previous week with an injury. He threw for two touchdowns and an interception against the Raiders defense.
After the Raiders hit a go-ahead field goal with 2:05 left in regulation, the Bears mounted a 48-yard drive to get into field-goal position and Robbie Gould hit a 49-yard game-winning kick.
Wide receiver Keenan Allen caught this 28-yard pass to put the Chargers up 7-3 in the first quarter. The passing attack would be San Diego's most potent weapon against Cleveland.
QB Philip Rivers found the end zone for the second time with this third-quarter touchdown to tight end Ladarius Green.
After last-second missed field goal was called back for offsides on Cleveland, kicker Josh Lambo got to try again from five yards closer. He hit his second try and ended the Chargers' two-game skid.
The Chiefs' normally vicious pass rush couldn't get to Cincinnati QB Andy Dalton once, and Dalton took advantage, completing 17 of his 24 attempts for 321 yards and a touchdown, with an average completion of 18.9 yards.
But the Bengals pass rush certainly had success on Sunday as they sacked Smith five times for a loss of 38 yards. The Chiefs' offense couldn't get in the end zone once against Cincinnati, instead settling for seven field goals.
Running back Jeremy Hill was able to punch the ball into the end zone three times, succeeding on each red-zone attempt. The Chiefs tumbled to their third straight loss.
