Silver Minings: AFC West Week 3 roundup

Raiders and Broncos still tied for the division lead at 3-0

While the Las Vegas Raiders were busy keeping their undefeated record intact, the rest of the AFC West was working to keep pace this Sunday. Week Three brought the first inter-divisional matchup of the season and the standings look a bit different than a lot of people would have expected a month ago.

Los Angeles Chargers 30 Kansas City Chiefs 24

Key Stats:

Justin Herbert, QB, LAC: 26/38, 281 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs

Patrick Mahomes, QB, KC: 27/44, 260 yards, 3TDs, 2 INTs

Austin Ekeker, RB, LAC: 17 total touches, 107 total yards, 1 receiving TD

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, KC: 19 total touches, 109 total yards, 1 receiving TD

Mike Williams, WR, LAC: 7 receptions, 122 yards, 2 TDs

Travis Kelce, TE, KC: 7 receptions 104 yards

Keenan Allen, WR, LAC: 8 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD

Tyreek Hill, WR, KC: 5 receptions, 56 yards

Joey Bosa, DE, LAC: 3 total tackles, 0.5 sacks

Chris Jones, DL, KC: 2 total tackles, 1 TFL

The Chiefs stumbled out of the gate as their first three drives of the game resulted in turnovers. One coming via an interception from Mahomes and the other two being fumbles by Hill and Edwards-Helaire, which was a large reason why they only managed to score three points in the first half.

Kansas City did turn things around though, scoring 21 points after halftime and taking a three-point lead with 6:43 left in the game. However, Herbert and the Chargers were resilient and put together a 10-play drive to tie it with about two minutes left, and an eight-play touchdown drive to take the lead and eventually win the game.

Los Angeles had no problem moving the ball on Kansas City’s defense, especially through the air. Wide receiver Mike Williams had a career day and Herbert looked sharp after a couple of so-so games to begin the year.

The Chiefs have allowed 95 points so far this season, the most in the NFL, and head to Philadelphia to take on the 1-1 Eagles, who play the Cowboys later tonight.

Meanwhile, the Chargers will host the Raiders next week on Monday Night Football.

New York Jets 0 Denver Broncos 26

Key Stats:

Teddy Bridgewater, QB: 19/25, 235 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs

Melvin Gordon III, RB: 19 total touches, 82 total yards, 1 rushing TD

Tim Patrick, WR: 5 receptions, 98 yards

Von Miller, EDGE: 3 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL

Alexander Johnson, LB: 5 total tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFLs

This one was a big ole snooze fest. The Broncos scored on their second possession of the game and it was pretty much over after that. Bridgewater and the passing attack looked sharp while Gordon and the rest of the ground game helped put the nail in the coffin.

Defensively, Denver’s pass rush was too much for New York’s banged-up and porous offensive line as Zach Wilson was sacked five times and was under pressure for most of his dropbacks. That led to a couple of late interceptions by safeties Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns, but as mentioned above, the game was pretty much over after the coin toss.

With the Jaguars falling to the Cardinals and the Giants coming up short against the Falcons, the Broncos are 3-0 against three 0-3 teams. Credit to them for taking care of business, but Denver faces its first real test of the year next week as they play host to Baltimore.

In other Raiders’ links:

• 5 lessons learned against Dolphins: our own Bill Williamson shared some of his biggest takeaways from yesterday.
• Raiders safety makes history: according to Pro Football Reference, Las Vegas’ safety in the first quarter was the first that came from a completed pass with no penalties or fumbles.
• Incognito on IR: the guard hasn’t practiced since the last time the team was in LA, and he’ll sit out at least three more weeks.
• Crosby appeals fine: Las Vegas’ defensive end was fined just under $7k last week after allegedly spitting on Steelers guard Trai Turner, who was kicked out of the game and fined for doing the same.