Though it hasn’t happened all season, Week 13 might be the first time that all four AFC West teams get a W in the same week. Could this actually happen?
As the Oakland Raiders mentally prepare for a late-season playoff push in December, fans of the Silver and Black often turn their attention to the standings. Oakland (5-6) is a game back of the Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) in the AFC West standings, but hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. Though they have the same record as the Los Angeles Chargers (5-6), Los Angeles has the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Raiders. The Denver Broncos are three games back of Kansas City at 3-8.
Oakland is also a game back of the Baltimore Ravens (6-5) for the second AFC wild card spot. However, the Ravens have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Raiders stemming from their Week 5 victory over the Silver and Black.
By being essentially two games back of Baltimore because to the tiebreaker, it might be in Oakland’s best interest to just win the AFC West. It’s totally in play, as 10-6 or 9-7 could earn the division crown. That being said, something interesting is happening in the AFC West this week. What might you ask? For the first time this season, all four teams could end up with a victory. How could that happen and how hasn’t that happened yet?
All four AFC West teams are favorites this week. According to OddsShark, the Raiders are now a nine-point favorite over the New York Giants (2-9) after Eli Manning was benched in favor of Geno Smith. The Raiders may not cover the lofty spread, but should get to 6-6 with an easy victory over the Saints.
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Even though they have lost five of six games, the Chiefs are laying three points on the road versus the New York Jets (4-7) at MetLife Stadium. The betting public has little faith in the Jets, so that must explain this line. Kansas City has been terrible of late, but has better personnel to potentially beat the Jets in East Rutherford.
Los Angeles is laying a massive 13.5 points at home to the winless Cleveland Browns (0-11). The Chargers are playing outstanding ball of late and could very well win the division. However, the Chargers don’t have a home-field advantage and were the last team to lose to the Browns in a regular season game. That was last Christmas Eve. Could Christmas come early for the Dawg Pound? Maybe.
Lastly, somehow the putrid Broncos are laying a point and a half on the road to the Miami Dolphins (4-7). Miami is playing completely uninspired football. If Denver has a pulse, maybe they sink the ‘Phins? Denver has lost seven in a row and is getting points. That tells you everything you need to know about what Las Vegas thinks of the Dolphins.
So why haven’t all four AFC West teams won a game in the same week this season? Well, that’s because the Chargers’ 0-4 start has given way to the Broncos’ abysmal current seven-game slide. Throw in the bye week for all teams and here we are.
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So who can we count on to win this week? Los Angeles should beat the Browns. Then again, it would be the most Chargers thing ever to lose to the winless Browns at home in their soccer stadium as 13.5-point favorites when everybody thinks Los Angeles is the third best team in the AFC.
Oakland should handle New York. Then again, the Raiders do tend to overlook teams. It would not be shocking to see them play down to the level of competition they’ll be getting out of the Giants. However, this is a game the Raiders should win comfortably.
As for the other two between the Chiefs and Jets and the Broncos and Dolphins, those could go either. The Jets could totally knock off the Chiefs, especially if Kansas City plays with no offensive competency yet again. There is a ton of quit in both the Broncos and the Dolphins. Miami will keel over faster than the Broncos, but this is the worst Broncos team I’ve seen in my lifetime.
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Overall, this has to be the week where all four AFC West teams can find a way to get it together. Los Angeles is playing great, Oakland is doing alright, and even Kansas City and Denver were competitive in losing efforts last week. If it’s just a Raiders win this week, that would be ideal, but all four division rivals could taste victory on Sunday afternoon.