AFCW - going into Week 3

[Mile High Mania]

So, it was good to see that the division was 3-0 vs the NFC this weekend (Den > NYG, KC > DAL, SD > PHI). And, 3-0 vs the NFCE to boot - very nice.

Broncos 2-0
Chiefs 2-0
Raiders 1-1
Chargers 1-1

Not bad after 2 weeks, but I'm still not too sold really on either the Raiders or the Chargers. Chargers should be 2-0, but they're not and are very helter skelter. The Raiders ... they lost to the Colts and then beat the Jaguars. The Jags account for 2 of the 6 total wins within our division.

Week 3 -

The Raiders (1-1) travel to the Broncos (2-0) and honestly, while the 'any given Sunday' mantra is alive and well, Denver should win this by a big margin and move to 3-0 setting up back to back games vs the NFCE (Eagles and then Dallas). Broncos have had 2 big wins after sputtering in the first half of both games... the Raiders can win, they've shocked Denver at home in recent years. No time to fall asleep or get lazy for the Broncos.

The Chiefs (2-0) travel to Philly (1-1) - and this will be an interesting one as the Eagles can be explosive, but KC's defense is legit. Can the KC offense step it up? This is one where both Charles and Alex Smith need to be big. I think KC needs a statement win. The Jags suck and while Dallas has weapons, they have a mediocre record in recent years and losing at KC shouldn't have been a shock really. But, if KC wants that 'respect' and to quiet the doubters --- the offense needs to match the defense this week and make this a statement win.

The Chargers (1-1) travel to the Titans (1-1) and oddly enough, the Titans have played fairly well. Both teams were bitten late vs the Texans, so anything goes I guess.

This is a week where I honestly think the home teams prevail. There's a lot up for debate with KC/PHI and SD/TN ... and wouldn't be surprised if either/both AFCW teams won. However, I think the home teams pretect their yards this week.

It would be good though to see KC and SD win in week 3.

You?

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Maybe... but, they still have Rivers. They choked away a big lead last week to HOU, very much like they choked away that big lead vs Denver last season.

SD has talent... they just have no heart and no leadership.

Rivers looks better this season than he has in the past 2-3 seasons and has some quality weapons. The turnovers are something to consider, but yesterday's win over Philly should've been a blowout had Matthews and Gates not fumbled near the goal line. Their O-Line has held up better than most thought and Freeney has been looking beastly these last two weeks.

KC has looked great on defense but their offense is still pedestrian and they're going to struggle if they get down early. SD and Denver are both capable of putting KC in a 2 score hole at any given moment in the game.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

It won't be a popular sentiment, but I don't think the Chiefs are legitimate until the offense starts to click. Which needs to be sooner rather than later. They have winnable games, but I wouldn't call many of them easy.

I agree. Through two weeks, the offense has been leaning on the defense. It's going to be interesting on Thursday. The offense is going to have to score more than they have been in order to win. Philly has hung 30+ Points up these last two weeks.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

It won't be a popular sentiment, but I don't think the Chiefs are legitimate until the offense starts to click. Which needs to be sooner rather than later. They have winnable games, but I wouldn't call many of them easy.

I agree with that. I think we have a playoff-level defense and a mediocre offense. With our favorable schedule this year, I think we have a chance of squeaking in as a wildcard team, but it all depends on whether the offense can get enough going against our handful of quality opponents to win it.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I agree. Through two weeks, the offense has been leaning on the defense. It's going to be interesting on Thursday. The offense is going to have to score more than they have been in order to win. Philly has hung 30+ Points up these last two weeks.

While they do need to score more points, I think maybe a bigger key to the game will be sustaining drives and giving the defense time to breathe between series. Multiple drives like the first one yesterday and they have a chance, particularly if they end in points (even field goals). 3-5 plays and out will be killer. I do think they'll need at least 24 points to win the game, though, and likely more.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Rivers looks better this season than he has in the past 2-3 seasons and has some quality weapons. The turnovers are something to consider, but yesterday's win over Philly should've been a blowout had Matthews and Gates not fumbled near the goal line. Their O-Line has held up better than most thought and Freeney has been looking beastly these last two weeks.

KC has looked great on defense but their offense is still pedestrian and they're going to struggle if they get down early. SD and Denver are both capable of putting KC in a 2 score hole at any given moment in the game.

The thing that I saw with Rivers is once Houston started the comeback, he got in his own head.

Shit, after he threw that pick 6 they put a bunch formation left, and gave him an easy 5 yard throw to make and he missed by 3. He then put together a nice throw past the sticks to Royal who dropped it (credit where credit is due) but he was still rattled.

Originally Posted by keg in kc

It won't be a popular sentiment, but I don't think the Chiefs are legitimate until the offense starts to click. Which needs to be sooner rather than later. They have winnable games, but I wouldn't call many of them easy.

None of them are easy if we have to rely on the defense. They're all going to be nail biting sons of bitches with the rules we have now a days. Most of them, Thursday included, aren't winnable if they can't get 21 points.

[Mile High Mania]

Rivers will get in his own way... he's not going to put a team on his back and say 'follow me'. They don't have that guy on their team, on either side of the ball. Most good teams do and all great teams have one or more.

[King_Chief_Fan]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Peyton has been hit several times. He was sacked twice against Baltimore, and hit after the throw several times. I mean they have Suggs and Dumervil on both sides. We haven't drawn a roughing the passer call once, so I don't really see this "you guys get all the calls" crap. Yesterday's game the zebras were doing everything they could to keep Eli in it.

Not only are you an idiot, you are blind

[ThaVirus]

Well, it's a good thing the Chargers don't have Vincent Jackson anymore. That guy is a monster.

[vailpass]

Trindon Holliday is one fast little sob. Exciting to watch and can be a factor.

[Hammock Parties]

Why is beating the Eagles suddenly considered more impressive than beating Dallas?

The Eagles were trash last year and are in year one of a rebuilding program.

Dallas > Philly

Romo > Vick

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Pam Oliver's Forehead

Why is beating the Eagles suddenly considered more impressive than beating Dallas?

The Eagles were trash last year and are in year one of a rebuilding program.

Dallas > Philly

Romo > Vick

You could ask the same thing about the Chiefs. Clearly a coaching (and scheme) change makes a big difference here.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Pam Oliver's Forehead

Why is beating the Eagles suddenly considered more impressive than beating Dallas?

The Eagles were trash last year and are in year one of a rebuilding program.

Dallas > Philly

Romo > Vick

I think the dimensions of the short week, young team, on the road, and history of inconsistency are playing in people's minds. If the Chiefs win this game I'm buying a jersey that says 11 with the name Bye Clay, We'll miss you on the back

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

If the Chiefs win this game I'm buying a jersey that says 11 with the name Bye Clay, We'll miss you on the back

That would indeed seem to be in the cards in such an event.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Cassel>Manning

Some are more serious than others, obviously Clady only has a mild sprain.

Originally Posted by Pam Oliver's Forehead

Why is beating the Eagles suddenly considered more impressive than beating Dallas?

The Eagles were trash last year and are in year one of a rebuilding program.

Dallas > Philly

Romo > Vick

I'm with you. People are massively over hyping Chip Kelly and his amazing offense.

For all the talk about Eagles offense and 77 plays they ran in opening weekend, Patriots ran 89, Ravens 87, Lions 77.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 12, 2013

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Pam Oliver's Forehead

Why is beating the Eagles suddenly considered more impressive than beating Dallas?

The Eagles were trash last year and are in year one of a rebuilding program.

Dallas > Philly

Romo > Vick

Beating a mediocre Dallas team in KC is somewhat expected or should have been by most. Winning at PHI ... that's not the easiest thing to do. Much like KC when they sucked, KC in their house was a tough win. That's all I'm saying.

Plus, it's Thursday night - Reid going to his former team... 2-0 vs 1-1 ... all sorts of various factors make winning this game a big deal for KC and looking good on both sides of the ball in the process.

Cowboys have been 8-8, 8-8, 6-10 the last 3 seasons... nothing special at all. PHI hasn't been that much better with 4-12, 8-8 and 10-6. But again, the storyline is different and on a bigger stage.

If KC had lost to DAL .... nobody would give a damn. But, at 2-0 and with this backdrop ... I think you have some serious interest with how real can this team be with that defense, Reid and Smith at QB.