AFC West Roundup: Week 4
A look back at the week that was in the AFC West. (Photos by AP)
The Broncos fought the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Florida weather to leave Tampa with a 27-7 win and improve to 4-0. Cornerback Aqib Talib thrived in his homecoming and came away with two interceptions that each set up Denver touchdowns. Trevor Siemian threw a touchdown before exiting late in the second quarter with a shoulder injury, and rookie Paxton Lynch added another touchdown in his absence. The Buccaneers, who lost the turnover battle 3-0, tied the score at 7-7 but couldn't do much for the rest of the game. With DT Gerald McCoy out, the defensive pressure declined and the Broncos' offense posted another solid effort. Up next: vs. Atlanta
Player of the game: Aqib Talib3 tackles, 2 interceptions, 40 yards
It was over when Talib intercepted Winston for the second time. The Broncos were able to add another touchdown and never lost that lead.
The Raiders and Ravens battled in a back-and-forth game in Baltimore that saw a late charge by the Ravens and two fourth quarter lead changes. The Raiders, led by Derek Carr and Michael Crabtree, held a nine-point lead with 11:11 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Ravens wouldn't go down easily. Steve Smith Sr. took a Joe Flacco pass 52 yards for the score and then a late fumble helped set up the Ravens to take the lead. But the Raiders would respond with a six-play, 66-yard drive to take the 28-27 lead for good. Up next: vs. San Diego
Player of the game: Michael Crabtree7 receptions, 88 yards, 3 touchdowns
It was over when Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco misfired to Kamar Aiken on fourth and 10 from midfield with 48 seconds to go in the contest. The Ravens just needed a field goal to grab the win, but the Raiders came up with a big defensive stand to secure the road victory.
Sunday night's rout was quite the reversal of fortunes for the Chiefs, who had forced the Jets into eight turnovers in their previous game. Against Pittsburgh, the Chiefs could force none. The Steelers offense rolled behind five touchdowns and 300 yards from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, as well as 144 yards on the ground from running back Le'Veon Bell, back after serving a three-game suspension. Offensively, the Chiefs found little success against Pittsburgh. Though they scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the Chiefs averaged fewer than two first downs per possession in the first three quarters. Â Up next: Bye week
It was over when: the Steelers conducted an 80-yard touchdown drive late in the second quarter. Roethlisberger found Jesse James on a 9-yard pass to end the drive and increase Pittsburgh's lead to 29-0. Though the Chiefs have overcome a 24-3 deficit earlier this season, this would be a bridge too far.
Top performer: On a rough day for every phase, there are few standouts, but wide receiver Chris Conley played well with six receptions for 70 yards.
In a narrow loss to New Orleans, the Chargers gave up yet another fourth-quarter lead to fall to a crushing loss. San Diego had kept the Saints at arm's length for the entirety of the third quarter and for much of the fourth, after beginning the final period with a 1-yard Melvin Gordon rushing touchdown and a 47-yard Josh Lambo field goal to go up 34-21. But two fumbles turned into Saints touchdowns and the Chargers, now facing a one-point deficit, scrambled to try to mount a game-winning drive. With 1:18 left in the game, quarterback Philip Rivers threw an interception and the game ended on kneel-downs from there. Â Up next: @ Oakland Raiders
It was over when: Rivers lofted a pass intended for wide receiver Tyrell Williams down the right sideline. The pass was intercepted by defensive back B.W. Webb, and the Chargers' comeback attempt was over.
Top performer: wide receiver Dontrelle Inman averaged 17.1 yards per reception on seven catches for 120 yards and one touchdown.
