AFC West Standings Week 10: Raiders have the top spot within reach
The AFC West is as open as ever through Week 10 of the regular season. After losses by their division rivals, the Oakland Raiders have the top spot within reach.
They call it the Wild West for a reason, and when it comes to the AFC West division, the door is as open as ever. Widely presumed to be the division favorites and a contender in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs were pegged as the presumed top dog ahead of the season.
Yet through ten weeks of NFL football, Kansas City has the Oakland Raiders right behind them, with the top spot very much in reach.
The Kansas City Chiefs welcomed the return of Patrick Mahomes in Week 10, as he was previously sidelined nursing a knee injury. However, his return was spoiled by the quarterback for the opposing Tennessee Titans, newly-crowned starter Ryan Tannehill. For very much of the afternoon, it looked like the Chiefs had the game sealed, but Tannehill spearheaded a comeback drive to put Tenessee up 35-32.
A Harrison Butker blocked a field goal, that would have sent the game to overtime, sealed the upset.
It was a rare second victory for the Oakland Raiders, who were able to enjoy the Sunday off after notching a divisional victory earlier in the week. On Thursday Night Football, it was the Raiders defense that set the tone for the evening. Erik Harris notched two early interceptions, returning the latter for a touchdown, while the Raiders’ pass rush disrupted Philip Rivers all night long.
Rivers struggled for much of the night, while Derek Carr was as sharp as he’s ever been. With the game-winning drive in his hands, Carr delivered with a Josh Jacobs clutch fourth-quarter touchdown run to seal the victory, 26-24.
Here’s the standings for the AFC West through Week 10:
AFC West Standings (Week 10)
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)
- Oakland Raiders (5-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (4-6)
- Denver Broncos (3-6)
The Denver Broncos remain at the bottom of the division as they were the lone team on their bye in Week 10. The loss on Thursday night sees the Chargers at the third spot, and despite six more games down the stretch, a 4-6 record could very well signal that a playoff run is not within the realm of possibility for Los Angeles.
The real race for the AFC West lies with the top two teams, as the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders will see each other once more before the season’s end. With the Chiefs’ stunning upset on Sunday, the Raiders are just a half-game back from the top spot with a very favorable stretch of games on the horizon.
Next. Raiders pass rush showing improvement. dark
A favorable schedule, and offense that is clicking and only a half-game back from first place set Oakland up well for a playoff run in 2019. Amidst the obstacles thrown their way to start the season, that statement itself is a testament to the character of this team.