All week long, you’ll probably hear about how the Chiefs should be concerned with the Bengals going forward. While that may be true to some degree, let’s not forget who the team to beat is until proven otherwise. Let’s dive into some Week 13 action from the AFC West.
The Chiefs have a Bengals problem
We have seen the Chiefs and Bengals play three times in 2022. All three of those saw the team in orange and black win. It’s no longer a fun story about the underdog finding a way. For the fans of clichés, the Bengals winning in this matchup is no longer the exception, but rather the rule. Joe Burrow is becoming to Patrick Mahomes what Mahomes is to Justin Herbert. The close up camera shot on the sideline watching Mahomes looking helpless without a helmet feels like the exact situation Herbert has seen against the Chiefs countless times. The problem is, what even is the fix? What can they do differently? In fact, it seems crazy to even assume that there is something concrete that should change. Each Bengals win has come with a three point margin, with just a few plays that could swing the outcome in either direction. So for now, don’t read too much into the result because in reality, Kansas City will still be the team to beat after Week 18.
How about the Raiders?
So it appears that Davante Adams being involved in the offense might be a big deal for the Raiders. Imagine that. Trading for one of the best receivers in the sport and then utilizing him could have positive results. The defense has started to come on and Josh Jacobs is a problem every week for opposing defenses. It’s just a shame that it took so long for Vegas to find their way, since only a miracle gets them in the playoffs now. Let’s also give Josh McDaniels some credit, as he went from weekly meetings in the owner’s offense to now finding ways to win games every week. Now he probably would’ve been fired if the Raiders weren’t already paying a previously fired coach, but that doesn’t matter here. It was important to go into the offseason on a good note and not a disastrous one. Maybe those Derek Carr tears from a few weeks ago are now more tears of joy than anything else.
Life remains difficult for the Chargers
The Chargers had a real chance to get right into the playoff race and be a real problem for teams down the stretch. However, they did what the Chargers always do. Make life difficult for themselves. The defense was shredded by Adams and Jacobs, while the offense struggled to gain traction all afternoon. They are obviously dealing with injuries, but sometimes it’s just hard not to think about why this team does so little with so much talent, especially with a very good young quarterback. With a playoff spot on the line, they have to get it together soon, but unfortunately for this Los Angeles team, it doesn’t get any easier with a Sunday night matchup against the Dolphins this week.
The Broncos did it again.
Personally, it’s tiring to talk about the Denver Broncos every week, because it’s the same story with the same results. In theory, the Broncos are the physical form of the definition of insanity. So rather than talk about the horrible on field results again, we’ll keep wondering how much longer the defense can possibly have the patience to put up with the offense. For now though, let’s take the week off from the Broncos.