AFC West Week 7 Preview and Predictions

October 22, 2016

DENVER BRONCOS (4-2)

Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos will be hosting the Houston Texans on Monday Night’s game, welcoming back former Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler to the mile high city. Both teams will want to “showcase” their offense (don’t snicker). The Broncos want to prove that current quarterback, Trevor Siemian, was the right choice for them. And, Brock Osweiler probably wants them to regret letting him go. Of course, the Broncos will focus on their strength, their defense. And the Texans will try to do the same.

Last week, an NFL commentator stated that determining whether someone is an elite quarterback shouldn’t be based so much on general quarterback stats (e.g., passing yards, points, interceptions), but rather on third down completion percentage and his ability to carry his team to a win when behind. Although, I agree that third quarter completion percentage is important, and nothing is more exciting (or frustrating if your team was winning) than coming from behind to win. But an elite quarterback shouldn’t be consistently putting their team in 3rd down passing situations or in a come-from-behind situation late in the game.

Brock Osweiler

With that said, in week 6 the Texans were behind 13-9 in the fourth quarter, until the offense managed to score 14-points, bring the game into overtime and win by a field goal. By no means am I suggesting that the Texans quarterback is elite. But, there has been a lot of criticism about the amount of money the Texans are paying Osweiler, which might have help motivate the win…but I digress. The bottom line is, when it counted, Osweiler did push through, carrying the Texans to a 4-2 record for the season.

While the Texans are coming off a miraculous win, the Broncos are coming off a two losses. In week 6, against the San Diego Chargers, the Broncos offense scored only 3 points in the first half adding a late 4th quarter touchdown and field goal, which wasn’t enough to close the deficit against the Chargers.

What the Denver Broncos need to do:

It’s obvious that the Broncos defense wins games. In week six, they allowed the Chargers to get an early start. They can’t allow that to happen against the Houston Texans.
Broncos need to avoid penalties. They aren’t the only team with this problem. With stricter rules, and when frustration settles in, penalties are bound to happen. The Broncos need to stay focused and avoid making stupid mistakes on both sides of the ball.
Siemian needs to move the ball. It’s easier said than done, but if this offense can’t score, wins will be tough to come by.
Attack the pass game. (Like you needed me to tell you that)

What the Houston Texans need to do:

The Texans can’t let the week 6, come from behind win, give them too much confidence. A close game is as easy to lose as it is to win and week 6 could have gone either way. Don’t pat yourself on the back just yet, Osweiler, a good quarterback can consistently win games.
The defense needs to attack Siemian and make certain that Siemian has little time to make decisions and by taking shorter pass routes out of this game. Osweiler might not be an elite quarterback, but he has more experience than Siemian. And, that’s what this game will come down to…Osweiler vs. Siemian.
Stop the run game. Houston has allowed some of the most rushing yards this season. C.J. Anderson will need to be stopped, or he’ll run all over this Texans team.

What can we expect in Week 7?

Trevor Siemian rushes for a touchdown.
Lamar Miller rushes for a touchdown.
C.J. Fiedorowicz has a touchdown.

Denver Broncos win at home.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-2)

New Orleans Saints @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs face another offensive powerhouse. Okay, so you wouldn’t have known the Oakland Raiders were a powerhouse watching them in week 6, but they are, or were, and will be again.

Spencer Ware – USA Today Sports Photo

As the Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a division win, the New Orleans Saints are entering week 7 on a two-game win streak.

What the Kansas City Chiefs need to do:

The Chiefs haven’t lost at home since week 7 of the 2015 season.
Run-Spencer-Run. If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it. Whatever the Chiefs did on their bye-week worked. After a miserable loss to the Pittsburg Steelers, the Chiefs bounced back with 183 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns against the Oakland Raiderss. Luckily for the Chiefs, the New Orleans defense has allowed the most touchdowns, 11, in the league this season. With Jamaal Charles still not 100%, Spencer Ware should get heavy usage.
Chiefs cornerback, Marcus Peters leads the league in interceptions, 5. Although the Saints might have one of the best offenses in the league, Peters is certain to disrupt the New Orleans offense.
Sack Drew Brees. There’s no denying that Drew Brees is a seasoned veteran. This Chiefs defense will need to keep the Saints from scoring touchdowns in the redzone.

What can we expect the in Week 7?

Spencer Ware has two touchdowns.
The New Orleans Saints are held to less than 20 points.

The Kansas City chiefs win.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (2-4)

San Diego Chargers @ Atlanta Falcons

The San Diego Chargers are coming off a big win against the Denver Broncos at home. The Chargers have lost every single away game this year. The Atlanta Falcons might be coming off a loss, but they hold a 4-2 record, losing week 6 to the Seattle Seahawks by only 2 points.

Hunter Henry

The Chargers looked impressive in week 6 against Denver, but they had problems finishing close and even not so close games this season.

How the Chargers can win:

The Chargers need to stay consistent throughout the game. The Chargers have started hot in each game this season, but has failed to hold the lead in 4 games.
Good news for the Chargers, the Atlanta Falcons have allowed the 7th most passing yards this season.
Chargers tight end dynamos Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates were a big part of the week 6 win against the Denver Broncos. The Chargers need to use what works.
The Chargers defense will need to stop the Atlanta Falcons run game. With the Falcons’ running duo of DeVonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, the combo has combined 620 yards of offense and 6 touchdowns. Luckily the Chargers have allowed only 77.8 rush yards per game, the 5th fewest allowed in the league this season.
The Chargers defense need to put pressure on quarterback Matt Ryan. Rookie defensive-end, Joey Bosa, has been everything the Chargers expected and more. He’s had 2 sacks in two starts this season. His presence will be needed against the Falcons. The Falcons have the second most passing yards per game this season, 329.5, scoring an average of 33.2 points per game. And, Ryan currently leads the league in the most passing yards, 2075, and the second most passing touchdowns, 15. Unfortunately, the Chargers defense has allowed some of the most passing yards, with 14 sacks, 7 interceptions, 5 fumbles and 1 fumble returned for a touchdown.

What can we expect in Week 7?