AFC West Week 3 Preview and Predictions

September 24, 2016

DENVER BRONCOS (2-0)

Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals

In his first two NFL starts, Trevor Siemiam has alluded both the Carolina Panthers and the Indianapolis Colts defense. In the last two weeks, Siemiam has been effective as a game manager, taking minimal risk with 444 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 3 interceptions and absorbing 3 sacks. And why not when running back C.J. Anderson and the Denver defense have managed to carry the Broncos to a 2-0 record this season?

Trevor Siemian – CBS Sports Photo

The Bengals defense are ranked 10th in allowed passing yards at 438. But Siemian doesn’t go down field often, preferring short passes for short gain to move the chains, theoretically meaning the score should remain close. Unfortunately for the Bengals, they’ve allowed the second most rushing yards this season at 276. And a weak rush defense is exactly what the Broncos ordered.

Denver’s strategy seems to be working so far, but for how long?

The Bengals defense will need to pressure Trevor Siemian and the front line hard and fast, forcing Siemian into making bad decisions. If they can make Siemian uncomfortable in the pocket, perhaps they can disrupt his ability to remain conservative and force some bad decisions down field.

Will the Bengals have a fighting chance against the Denver defense?

Ranked 31st in total rushing yards, the Bengals will need to establish some offense on the ground if they want a chance to win. Facing off against the Broncos secondary won’t be easy for the pass game, especially on 3rd downs.
The Bengals will need to prevent defensive scoring. Denver is one of two teams who have an intercepted defensive touchdown and a fumble recovery defensive touchdown, the Minnesota Vikings being the other. Smart decisions from Andy Dalton, avoiding fumbles and interceptions should prevent the Denver defense from scoring. But that’s easier said than done.

What can we expect in WEEK 3:

No defensive touchdowns by the Denver Broncos defense.
C.J. Anderson with a touchdown.

I’m going to go with the majority of experts, and picking the Cincinnati Bengals to win.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-1)

New York Jets @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a loss to the Houston Texans in week 2, and seeing them in week 3 against the New England Patriots, the Chiefs must be kicking themselves. Quarterback Alex Smith and the Chiefs were held to only 4 field goals and had 3 fumbles against the Houston Texans while the Patriots shut the Texans down, winning 0-27.

The Chiefs won’t want to make the same mistakes two weeks in a row, especially not at Arrowhead Stadium.

The New York Jets are looking to leave Arrowhead Stadium 2-1. Their defense fared well against the Buffalo Bills in week 2, allowing the offense to get the job done. Week 3 might not be so easy. The Jets’ two primary wide receivers, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker are less than 100%, leaving wide receiver Quincy Enunwa to potentially handle receptions. Enunwa has shown great effort the past two weeks, and will probably have an increased work load on Sunday against the Chiefs. Luckily the Jets won’t need to rely totally on the wide receiving core. In week 2, running back Matt Forte rushed for 100 yards and 3 touchdowns. I’m certain the Chicago Bears are missing Forte in their backfield in light of Jeremy Langford’s struggles. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, their defense allowed 252 rushing yards, among the most rushing yards allowed in the league.

Spencer Ware – USA Today Sports Photo

How will the Chiefs handle the Jets? The Jets allowed 143 rushing yards, among the least rushing yards allowed in the league. This will be hard ground and pound for the Chiefs. With Jamaal Charles most likely out week 3, Spencer Ware spelled by Charcandrick West will be in the backfield. Fortunately, they were fairly effective in moving the ball, but unsuccessful in scoring. The ground game will be important in supporting the Chiefs fairly mediocre pass game. Jeremy Maclin has only 131 total receiving yards and a touchdown this year, while tight end Travis Kelce has 108 yards and no touchdowns. Luckily for the Chiefs, the Jets have allowed 631 passing yards, which is among the most passing yards allowed. And cornerback Darrelle Revis hasn’t performed as well as expected, but that doesn’t mean the Chiefs should count him out.

This game will likely depend on Alex Smith’s performance, who’s totaled 549 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, an interception and 7 sacks so far. The Chiefs front line will need to step up and give Alex Smith some time to work, as well as open up running lanes against the Jets defense if they want to win at home.

What can we expect in WEEK 3: