Bird's Eye View of the AFCW through 2 weeks...

[Mile High Mania]

Ok, we all know the standings with KC at 2-0 and the rest at 1-1. Overall, it's somewhat on pace with what most expected. Granted - nobody really thought KC would be 2-0 and it's thanks to their defense. Here are some quick hit thoughts that I have on the division.

Chiefs - (2-0)
Next 4: 49ers / bye / @ Colts / @ Texans / Jags

The Chiefs found a way to win at Cleveland - conferencel road wins are critical and divisional home wins are required if you're going to make noise at the end of the season, and right now KC has both. But, that offense and the inability to establish a true and consistent rushing attack will kill the Chiefs if they don't fix it. Cassel has been horrific and he'll only improve if they achieve consistency in the ground game. KC has two top RBs... the problem is that they are trying to date both when they should commit to one of them as 'the guy' and work the other win throughout the game.

The Chiefs have scored 4 TDs in two games and only two of those were by the offense. Obviously that has to improve and it could with San Fran, but over the bye week, KC is going to have some serious soul searching as they stare at back to back road games against the Colts and Texans - those are likely to be two very rude awakenings for Haley and crew.

Projection - Chiefs are 3-3 after this stretch of games

Chargers - (1-1)
Next 4: @ Seahawks / Cardinals / @ Raiders / @ Rams

The Chargers have by far the easiest stretch of games over the next month and should win each of them, moving to 5-1. The defense held the Jags in check, and previously did ok against the Chiefs. Offensively, they could miss Ryan if his injury keeps him out. Can the receivers and Gates step up? Against these 4 teams... very likely.

The Chargers historically start slow under Norv, but at .500 with these 4 games, that should and will change. SD will be on top of the division and in control very soon. Do they trade VJ? I think they will and we'll see how the other WRs respond. They'll always have a chance with Rivers.

Projection - Chargers are 5-1 after this stretch of games

Broncos - (1-1)
Next 4: Colts / @ Titans / @ Ravens / Jets

This is by far the toughest stretch of any division team for the next month. I'll be honest, I could see them winning at TN - possibly, but outside of that... I dunno. I fear an ugly stretch of games, but hope for the best.

Denver's passing game is doing very well, the ground game sucks for the most part and defensively, they're "ok" right now, not stellar. And, they'll need to be stellar in order to go .500 during this stretch. It's not impossible, but it's improbable to me based on what I've seen.

Projection - Broncos are 2-4 after this stretch of games

Raiders - (1-1)
Next 4: @ Cardinals / Texans / Chargers / @49ers

The Raiders slugged it out to narrowly beat the Rams... McFadden is the only real bright spot for this team right now and I could see them losing all 4 of these games. The Rams are worse than all of them and OAK barely beat them at home in front of all 30 fans. So, can they win at AZ or San Fran? I dunno, but I don't see them winning at home vs Houston and San Diego.

Enjoy .500 while you can Raiders fans... and yes, I'm doing the same thing.

Projection - Raiders are 2-4 after this stretch of games

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

Oakland struggled in the 1st half, but the defense came alive in the 2nd. Allowed only 52 yards the entire second half & moved the ball with Gradkowski. Raiders will lose 'em all if they play like they did in the 1st half, but will probably be 3-3 (beating Arizona & SF) if they continue playing like they did the last two quarters.

Yeah, but you're talking about the success they had at home vs the Rams... you don't play a team during this stretch as bad as the Rams.

[thecoffeeguy]

I know the Chargers will possibly be without Matthews for a week or two, but I am not sure if that really matters.

I was watching parts of the game yesterday, and they have that FB/RB guy, Tolbert, who goes 5'8' 250 pounds and he was just a big freaking bruiser out there. Broke tackles, ran over guys, through guys...I was like, woow. I think he rushed for 100 yards? Dont quote me. Anyway, not sure if the Chargers offense misses a beat.

Cassel, Cassel, Cassel....sigh. I really cant say more here.

[Ugly Duck]

Originally Posted by thecoffeeguy

(Chargers) have that FB/RB guy, Tolbert, who goes 5'8' 250 pounds and he was just a big freaking bruiser out there. Broke tackles, ran over guys, through guys...I was like, woow. I think he rushed for 100 yards?

Dude had 82 yards with a 5.1 average. Not too shabby...

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Yeah, but you're talking about the success they had at home vs the Rams... you don't play a team during this stretch as bad as the Rams.

I hear you... Raiders probably won't break 400 yards against SF & the Cards like they did against the Rams...nor will they only give up 210. But those games are winnable.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Originally Posted by notorious

I disagree.

Cassel is horrible, and when the ground game is hitting on all cylinders he is still horrible.


He will not improve because of the running game.

This x 2

[boogblaster]

hopefully 4-2 ..

[Frazod]

Cassel's agent should be in ****ing prison. What's the normal sentence for stealing $63 million?

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by frazod

Cassel's agent should be in ****ing prison. What's the normal sentence for stealing $63 million?

Well, Pioli knew what he was buying right...

[beer bacon]

Chiefs will be 4-2. I don't see why Jacksonville should be chalked as a loss.

[Dave Lane]

I think the Chiefs will be 4-2 and the 2-4 at this point I think Chiefs beat SF at home w rabid crowd and win either Texas which I think is beatable or the Jags.

[Frazod]

Sure would be nice if we could steal one of those upcoming road games at Houston and Indy. Perhaps we should sent everybody on both teams a card featuring Cassel's smiling face and dismal stats. That might lull them into a false sense of security (okay, it's not false, but you know what I mean). Or maybe they'll die laughing. The more likely outcome.

****, we're doomed.

[Gadzooks]

Originally Posted by thecoffeeguy

I know the Chargers will possibly be without Matthews for a week or two, but I am not sure if that really matters.

I was watching parts of the game yesterday, and they have that FB/RB guy, Tolbert, who goes 5'8' 250 pounds and he was just a big freaking bruiser out there. Broke tackles, ran over guys, through guys...I was like, woow. I think he rushed for 100 yards? Dont quote me. Anyway, not sure if the Chargers offense misses a beat.

Cassel, Cassel, Cassel....sigh. I really cant say more here.

As far as I know, Mathews suffered a slight sprain and he could play next week.
Tolbert’s a beast and should’ve spelled LT last year while he was shitting the bed. He does tend to get dinged up a lot though.
(He reminds me of Natrone Means and Marion Butts because of his bowling ball physique).

[thecoffeeguy]

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

As far as I know, Mathews suffered a slight sprain and he could play next week.
Tolbert’s a beast and should’ve spelled LT last year while he was shitting the bed. He does tend to get dinged up a lot though.
(He reminds me of Natrone Means and Marion Butts because of his bowling ball physique).

Ahh, ok.
Still, Tolbert is a freaking load. He just bowled over people. Not the fastest, but a banger who moves the pile. Impressive.

I did not know that he was a UDFA as well.

[Buehler445]

Wait. What? The ground game is the problem? LOL WUT
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[Mr. Arrowhead]

Holy Shit, the donks next 4 games are brutal, i honestly cant see them winning any of them.

[tyton75]

1-3 or 0-4 for us on the next 4... I just don't see us getting over on those teams playing like this