Around the AFC West: Perhaps the end of an era for the Chargers

The Broncos have a 3-1 record with rookie Drew Lock starting at quarterback. It’s been a tale of two seasons for Denver in 2019. At the beginning of the year, they couldn’t gain much momentum or get many wins with veteran Joe Flacco. We had to wait, but Lock is proving to be worth the wait and the team seems energized around him.

Things could shake out where the Broncos actually finish second in the AFC West with a 7-9 record due to conference tie-breakers with the Raiders. That would be a phenomenal finish to the Broncos 2019 season and give hope for the future with this team.

The rest of the division is trying to play catch-up to the Chiefs. The Raiders could win on Sunday against the Broncos and find their way into the postseason (with some help), while the Chargers are just trying to get things on track in what could be the final game for their long-time quarterback.

Let’s take a spin around the AFC West to see what the competition is up to.

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Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have had multiple versions of the running backs room in 2019. Whether players are hurt or in the doghouse, it seems like something is always going on to create instability at the position.

Earlier this week, Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (shoulder) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list. Ware had been with the team in the past from 2015-18, but he eventually moved on to the Colts in 2019. After being let go, the Chiefs decided to bring him back just three weeks ago. Now, Ware is hurt again and done for the season – and perhaps his career.

The Chiefs now move into the postseason with a rotation that includes Damien Williams as their lead back. Behind him, veteran LeSean McCoy should get some work when he’s not in trouble with the coaching staff. They also have rookie Darwin Thompson to carry some of the load if need be.

The playoffs are all about running the football and stopping the run. The Chiefs have a high-powered passing attack, but it would benefit them greatly and improve their Super Bowl chances if they could run the ball with more effectiveness and efficiency.

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Los Angeles Chargers

Long-time starting quarterback Philip Rivers may be playing his final game in a Chargers uniform. He’s been playing 16 seasons in the NFL, for the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers, and seeing him in different colors would be odd. At age 38, Rivers is in the final year of his contract and the future is unknown really for the first time ever in his pro career.

Earlier this week, Rivers made it clear that he still wants to keep playing.

“I’m capable enough physically and mentally, there’s no question,” Rivers said after their 24-17 loss to the Raiders in Week 16. “Yes, I do want to play football. I do, and that’s how I feel deep down as I stand here.”

It’s clear that Rivers wants to keep playing, and he likely feels that he is not yet to the “backup” part of his career (even if there is one).

This offseason is going to be quite interesting at the quarterback position. Guys like Rivers, Cam Newton (Panthers) and Teddy Bridgewater (Saints) could be available for quarterback-needy teams. While Rivers may be near the end of his career, some team might want to bring him in as a “bridge” quarterback to a younger player.

Rivers is not the same player he used to be, and his play seems to have declined as the 2019 season rolls on. Just this week, Rivers popped up on the injury report for the first time with a thumb injury. I can’t imagine he sits out Week 17 against the Chiefs, but the Chargers might want to get a look at backup Tyrod Taylor. We’ve seen Taylor get plenty of starting experience before in his pro career and he’s signed with the Chargers through the 2020 season.

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Oakland Raiders

The saga of rookie running back Josh Jacobs just got a little more interesting this week. He was already battling a shoulder injury that had kept him out of action off and on during the past few weeks. Then, reports started coming in early on Thursday that Jacobs had a mysterious surgery on Christmas.

No details at this late hour, but Josh Jacobs just posted 20 minutes ago that he had surgery. #Raiders pic.twitter.com/cX2rrnnIkU

— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) December 26, 2019

When updates came in about the surgery, it was revealed that Jacobs had surgery on Christmas to deal with a leg infection. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the surgery should not in and of itself prevent Jacobs from possibly playing in Week 17, but the running back still remains a question mark due to his lingering shoulder injury.

The Broncos season has bookend games with the Raiders this year. Back in the season opener, Jacobs looked like a beast as he ran through the Broncos defense for 85 yards and two touchdowns. It looks like the Broncos defense will avoid a rematch with Jacobs as he appears to be doubtful for Week 17.

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