Around the AFC West: Are the Chargers nearing the end of an era?

The Broncos are back in action this week. With a 3-7 record, they travel to face the Bills on Sunday.

The rest of the AFC is wide open behind the Patriots and the Ravens. As odd as it may seem, the Broncos are not yet out of it when it comes to the postseason because the rest of the conference is down outside of two elite-level teams.

This division never ceases with interesting storylines, and this week is no different. The Broncos may want to make an improbable run, but they need divisional opponents to falter along the way.

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 a bye in Week 12, but they did receive some good news earlier in the week. Star receiver Tyreek Hill played only seven snaps in the game against the Chargers on Monday night before suffering a hamstring injury. An MRI earlier this week revealed the damage was minor and he is considered day-to-day with the injury. We won’t know until next week when the Chiefs get back to practice, but Hill might be on track to play in Week 13.

That’s good news for Hill, but the news is not as good at the running back position. Starting running back Damien Williams suffered a ribs injury against the Chargers, while backup veteran back LeSean McCoy was evaluated for a concussion. Both players have a bye week to get back on the right track but their status for Week 13 is unknown.

Good thing they have two talented reserve runners like Darrell Williams and rookie Darwin Thompson to share the workload if those two have to miss time.

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Los Angeles Chargers

With a 4-7 record, the Chargers have to be thinking about the future with a bye in Week 12. Sure, they could still make a run at the postseason, but things seem different this year.

The reason why things feel different is the poor play of veteran quarterback Philip Rivers. During the last two games (against the poor pass defenses of Oakland and Kansas City), Rivers has thrown seven interceptions. It’s looking more and more each week like Father Time is catching up with him.

Rivers was acquired by the Chargers in a draft-day trade in 2004, and he’s provided them with leadership and quality play for most of the time since he took over as the starter. While probably not a Hall of Fame quarterback, Rivers can easily go in the “Hall of Very Good” based on his production in the NFL.

He’s never been the most mobile quarterback, but it’s not his legs that are shot – it’s his arm. Always with a quirky throwing motion, Rivers’ passes just seem to lack zip and velocity today.

The Chargers have veteran Tyrod Taylor behind Rivers, but later in the year, we might see rookie quarterback Easton Stick. During the preseason, Stick did show some flashes and he could be their quarterback of the future. That’s a future that might be here sooner than the Chargers (and Rivers) wanted.

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Oakland Raiders

After not really beating up on the hapless Bengals last week (although they did win), the Raiders travel across the country this week to face the Jets on Sunday. They control their own destiny and could secure a wild card spot if they stay on the winning track.

The Raiders have won three in a row, in large part to their rushing attack led by rookie running back Josh Jacobs. During their recent three-game win streak, Jacobs has more than 100 all-purpose yards in each contest. He also has more than 100 yards rushing in two of those three contests.

The rookie first-round pick from Alabama currently ranks fourth in the league with 923 yards rushing. He has four 100-yard rushing games this season and has only been held under 100 all-purpose yards on two occasions so far in 2019.

He’s done all of this all while battling through a minor shoulder injury. Needless to say, his toughness and heart are a big reason why the Raiders may be going to the postseason in their last year in Oakland.

Jacobs is the centerpiece of what the Raiders do on offense, and their 2019 NFL draft shows how quickly a good collection of picks can turn things around.

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