AFC West Roundup: Week 5
The Broncos stayed perfect on the season and gained more distance between them and the rest of the division. (All photos by AP Images unless otherwise noted)
The Broncos won their second divisional road game of the season, defeating the Raiders 16-10. Oakland led in the first half 7-3, however. On this play Bennie Fowler broke out for a 41-yard gain.
The Broncos returned in the second half with a renewed fire on defense. OLB Von Miller gave the Broncos their first takeaway of the day with this sack, forced-fumble and fumble-recovery combination move.
Leading by just two points, this interception returned for a touchdown by Chris Harris Jr. gave the Broncos much-needed padding on their lead.
With DeMarcus Ware leaving the game with a back injury, reserve OLBs Shaquil Barrett (pictured above) and Shane Ray each stepped up to get sacks of their own. Ray's helped put the Raiders in a fourth-and-19 situation late in the game.
The Chargers regained their top tight end with Antonio Gates returning from a four-game suspension for a two-touchdown game. With the Raiders' loss to the Broncos, a win could have put San Diego in the No. 2 spot in the division.
Still without starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers struggled to move the chains in the first half. However, the defense gave a helping hand with cornerback Antwon Blake picking off QB Philip Rivers and returning the ball 70 yards for the touchdown.
The Chargers again struggled to run the ball, totaling 52 yards on the ground on 19 attempts (2.7-yard average). With their starting left tackle, left guard and center out with injuries, the offensive line has struggled in the rushing game.
As time wound down in the final quarter of regulation, the Chargers held a three-point lead. However, QB Mike Vick and RB Le'Veon Bell helped Pittsburgh march down the field. With time expiring, Bell took a direct snap and stretched for a touchdown on the final play of the game.
Having lost their three previous games, the Chiefs opened up the game with an early lead via a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Defensive end Allen Bailey forced Bears QB Jay Cutler to fumble in his own end zone and linebacker Ramik Wilson recovered it for the score.
The Chiefs moved out in front by double digits with this touchdown reception by wide receiver De'Anthony Thomas on a screen. With a late field goal, Kansas City headed into halftime up 17-3.
In a matter of three minutes in the fourth quarter, the Bears turned an 11-point deficit into a one-point lead with two late touchdown passes from Jay Cutler, including this game-winner to RB Matt Forte.
Dropping a fourth straight game hurts, obviously, for the Chiefs, but the more lingering impact of this game was the season-ending knee injury to running back Jamaal Charles.
