While it would have been nice for the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs' bye week to be placed later in the season when they really needed it, Week 5's slate of AFC West games went about as well as they could have gone. For KC, they enjoyed a well-deserved break as the players rested their bodies and the coaches returned to the drawing board to make adjustments for the 13-game stretch that follows.
The once-flying-high 3-0 Las Vegas Raiders now find themselves on a two-game losing streak. Bludgeoned by the New England Patriots 45-17, Kirk Cousins took lots of punishment once again in the pocket. Behind a faltering offensive line, Cousins got sacked three times, got hit thrice more, and managed just 5-13 on third downs.
The Raiders' run game continues to be a complete no-show, as first-round pick Ashton Jeanty continues to disappoint. His 3.3 yards per carry for the season is shockingly bad and has forced the brunt of the offense to focus on star tight end Brock Bowers, who gets his at the end of the day, but for two weeks now, to no avail in the win column.
The Raiders may have started 3-0, but those wins came against the Dolphins, Chargers, and Saints, who, after today's games, have a combined 2-13 record. Las Vegas may no longer be absolute bottom feeders in the league, but they certainly fall into the category of an average to below-average team, rather than a true division crown contender.
Broncos vs. Chargers Week 5 slogfest was all the proof Chiefs fans needed to know the AFC West is theirs for the taking
Justin Herbert is broken, and so are the Los Angeles Chargers. Five weeks, five losses for Jim Harbaugh's squad in LA, and the product has only looked worse week after week. The team is wrought with injuries on both sides of the ball, but it's really no excuse for how poorly disciplined this team is.
The Chiefs have a chance to end the Chargers' season once and for all this upcoming Sunday. There is truly no excuse for them not to win that game at home, coming off a bye, against a team that has found ways to lose every single week.
The Denver Broncos improved to 3-2 on the year, and despite Sean Payton recapturing his offensive play-calling duties, Bo Nix and his side of the ball still looked very roller-coaster-like, as they have all year. But one thing is true about Denver. They find ways to win. That matters in the NFL.
It's hard for Chiefs fans to think much of the Broncos because of how dominant Kansas City's 31-10 victory was over them in Week 1. But be warned that Denver will stay in the division race all year, and whether we like it or not, that second matchup in Week 8 in Mile High will be no cakewalk and one that the Broncos will be fully prepared.
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