Around the AFC West: The juggernaut comes back to the pack
Oct 11, 2019, 6:39 AM
The Broncos got an all-important win over a division rival when they beat the Chargers in Week 5. It was good to get the first win of the season in order to get things on the right track. The schedule doesn’t get any easier with the Titans coming up in Week 6, however, and a short turnaround to play the City Chiefs in Week 7 on Thursday night.
The AFC West has some complications with the second quarter of the regular season underway. There is a small window of opportunity for the Broncos to turn things around, depending on what happens in the rest of their division.
Let’s take a spin around the AFC West to see what the competition is up to.
***
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs suffered their first loss of the season in Week 5, falling to the Colts. They lost in a game that Indianapolis controlled on the ground, but they also lost because superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes was banged up and suffered an ankle injury.
Mahomes tweaked his ankle against the Colts, but insisted that he was fine and would be fine moving forward. “Just re-aggravated it a little bit there in the first half and then got stepped on in the second half,” Mahomes said. “Obviously it’s going to be a little sore (Monday).”
He says “re-aggravated” because his ankle was initially hurt in the season opener against the Jaguars. Like they usually do, Jacksonville swarmed to the football in Week 1 against the Chiefs and had a little extra physicality leading to Mahomes getting a little banged up. He stayed in the game, but it was clear then that Mahomes was gimpy and not quite himself.
When Mahomes is less than full strength, he’s still one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The Chiefs have had Mahomes practice fully this week in preparation for their potentially high-scoring home battle against the Texans in Week 6. Like the Broncos, they have a short turnaround since they play on Thursday night in Week 7. We’ll see if Mahomes can get through this game unscathed.
***
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers just can’t catch a break. Los Angeles’s All-Pro center Mike Pouncey will undergo neck surgery, according to head coach Anthony Lynn. Pouncey has been placed on Injured Reserve and will miss the remainder of the season. At this time, it’s unknown if this neck injury is career ending, as well. This is a huge loss for the Chargers offense as Pouncey is one of the best centers in the league when healthy.
Good thing a couple of stars players may return in the near future.
Tight end Hunter Henry is getting close to playing once again. Henry suffered a tibial plateau fracture to his left knee in Week 1 against the Colts and he’s been shut down ever since. He was moving around well working with trainers a week ago and Henry is actually back on the practice field this week, although his status for Week 6 is unknown.
Safety Derwin James should return from his injury soon too. Back in mid-August, James was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. He was originally expected to miss three to four months with this injury and was placed on Injured Reserve to start the regular season. This week, James was seen wearing a walking boot and is no longer utilizing a scooter to move around. He’s expected to be activated from the Reserve/Injured list later this season.
***
Oakland Raiders
Don’t look now, but the Raiders have a winning record and are the second-best team in the division after five weeks. They climb to a 3-2 record after traveling to London and beating the Chicago Bears in Week 5.
Not satisfied with the construct of their roster, Oakland made a move at the wide receiver position on Monday. The Bills traded wide receiver Zay Jones to the Raiders in exchange for a 2021 fifth-round draft choice. In a corresponding move, the team released veteran J.J. Nelson to make roster space for Jones.
Jones was a second-round pick of the Bills out of East Carolina in 2017. He finished his college career as the all-time FBS receptions leader and looked to make an impact in the NFL. That never happened, as Jones failed to record a 100-yard receiving game in over two years of work. With other weapons added to the roster this offseason, Buffalo felt it was time to move on.
We’ll see if Jones can make an impact for the Raiders. During his college career, Jones was known as a high-character player with strong hands and the desire to be great. He’s not that fast or quick, but the Raiders may be able to utilize a player with his skill set opposite of Tyrell Williams the rest of the 2019 season.
