Week 15 AFC West Roundup
By Justin Smith
![Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) celebrates with strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) and defensive tackle Darius Latham (75) after stopping San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) short of a first down during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) celebrates with strong safety T.J. Carrie (38) outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) and defensive tackle Darius Latham (75) after stopping San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) short of a first down during the fourth quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F12-2F9756089-tyrell-williams-bruce-irvin-david-amerson-travis-carrie-nfl-oakland-raiders-san-diego-chargers-850x560-478158f3d85f407f942247b4534094efbd3e23d0490a1fb691c87901f6b679e5.jpg)
Denver Broncos
3rd Place – AFC West
Record: 8-5
Last Game: Lost 16-3 to New England Patriots (12-2) in Denver
Next Game: at Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) Sun, Dec 25 – 8:30 pm EST
Man the Broncos offense is terrible. They can’t run the ball. Trevor Siemian can make some throws, but not consistently. Their offensive line can’t protect. They can’t run block.
The Patriots defense is excellent, and possibly one of the more underrated units in the league. However, they are not ‘hold a team to three points and make them look jayvee bad’ level good. They are not the 2000 Ravens or ’86 Bears or even the ’07 Patriots.
Yet they looked like they’d invented defense on Sunday. Denver looked absolutely lost every time they possessed the ball. The Broncos were a putrid 16% (2 for 12) on third down. They had 309 yards of offense. They lost two fumbles. It was ugly.
On a day in which their defense held Tom Brady to 50% completion, under 200 yards and no touchdowns — the Broncos lost handily. That’s offensive, and more due to their inability to run the ball than anything else.
Since taking over as lead back, Devontae Booker has not recorded a 100 yard game. He’s averaged 3.2 yards per carry. He’s run hard, but hasn’t had any holes to run through.
The Denver defense is still stellar but not quite the elite unit it was last season. As a result, they are losing these games rather than winning them. And as a result risk missing the playoffs a year after winning the Super Bowl.
The Dolphins are one up on them, the Chiefs two games. The Broncos are in desperate need of a win in Kansas City this weekend, or their chances are likely done.