AFC West Week 12 Preview and Predictions

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u 

OAKLAND RAIDERS (8-2)

Carolina Panthers @ Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders will be hosting the Carolina Panthers (4-6) at home after winning against the Houston Texans in week 11 in Mexico City.

After a difficult start 1-5 start for the Panthers, they’ve managed to find their groove and win 3 out of their last 4 games, winning week 11 against the New Orleans Saints, 23-20.

Time to fly! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/Nzldg8epro

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 25, 2016

How can the Oakland Raiders win?

• Raiders need to get the run game going.

In week 11, the Raiders were held to only 30 rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns by an exploitable Houston Texans run defense.  Week 12 won’t be easier as the Carolina Panthers are 2nd at defending against the run, allowing only 81.8 yards per game and 5 total rushing touchdowns this season.

• The Raiders defense must limit Carolina quarterback, Cam Newton.

Newton is the engine that drives the Panthers, being a dual threat in the air and the ground.  Putting pressure on Newton won’t be easy.  Although, he hasn’t paced his numbers from last season, Newton can still handle the ball, as well as take a hit.  Although the Raiders defense has been steadily improving, Newton’s size and ability will be a challenge to contain.  The Raiders have the least number of sacks this season (15) with 9-interceptions and 14-forced fumbles.  Newton has been sacked 25 times with 7-interceptions this season.

• The Raiders secondary needs to contain the Panthers receivers?

The Raiders defense are 28th defending against the pass, allowing 277.9 yards per game.  Not only do they need to put pressure on Newton, they need to prevent the Panthers receivers from making big plays.  Unfortunately for the Raiders, Newton likes to generously sprinkle the balls among his receivers.  And, he has a lot of them that can make plays – tight end Greg Olson (745-yards and 3 touchdowns), wide receivers Kelvin Benjamin (683-yards and 4 touchdowns), Devin Funchess (266-yards and 3 touchdowns) and Ted Ginn Jr. (374-yards and a touchdown).

• The Raiders need to hold onto the ball.

In week 11, the Texans shouldn’t have been such a challenge for the Raiders.  But while the Texans had one of their best games of the season, the Raiders were barely looking like the AFC West leaders.  It happens to the best players, but it can’t happen if you want to win the AFC Championship.  Wide receiver, Micheal Crabtree, fumbled the ball, dropped passes and lost multiple opportunities to help put points on the board against the Texans.

• The Raiders need to score…and then score some more.

The Panthers are coming off a 10-day week, playing on Thursday night in week 11.  Although, they’ve had more than enough days to rest, the Panthers are also a little battered.  Defensive end, Mario Addison and center, Ryan Kalil, are ruled out for Sunday’s game, along with linebacker, Luke Kuechly.

LB Luke Kuechly has been ruled out for Sunday's game vs. Oakland

Injury Report » https://t.co/QKJnzDxGlo pic.twitter.com/uqltvw4pnC

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 25, 2016

What can we expect in Week 12?

• Micheal Crabtree has a touchdown.
• Cam Newton has a rushing touchdown.

The Oakland Raiders win.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-3) & DENVER BRONCOS (7-3)

Kansas City Chiefs @ Denver Broncos

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos will face off for the first time this season to decide who will take second place or tie for first in the AFC West (if the Oakland Raiders lose to the Carolina Panthers) in this must win division match-up.

Current AFC Playoff Picture

1. @Raiders 8-2
2. @Patriots 8-2
3. @HoustonTexans 6-4
4. @Ravens 5-5
5. @Chiefs 7-3
6. @Broncos 7-3

— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 22, 2016

• The Broncos are well rested and have home field advantage, with a 4-1 record at home.

Like the Carolina Panthers, the Denver Broncos aren’t the same Super Bowl Championship team they were last year, but their defense is still one of the best with 29 sacks, 10-interceptions and 9-forced fumbles.  The Broncos are 2nd defending the pass, allowing 194.3 yards per game.  As the Broncos are coming off a bye-week, they’ve won 3 out of their last 4 games, winning week 10 against the New Orleans Saints, 25-23.

• The Chiefs haven’t fared well against the Broncos.

The Chiefs are coming off a 17-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game they should have won, after a five-game win streak.  But haven’t fared well against the Broncos, losing 7 out of their last 8 matchups.

The Broncos defense are 29th defending against the run, allowing 123.7 yards per game and 9 rushing touchdowns this season.  Chiefs running back, Spencer Ware, has had only 641 and 2 touchdowns, and only 1 game for over a hundred yards (against the Oakland Raiders) this season.  If they want to have any success against the Broncos the Chiefs will need to find some running room.

• The Broncos can’t win on the ground.

The Chiefs have only allowed 4 rushing touchdowns this season.  If the Broncos are looking to score, it will probably be in the pass game with rookie,DeVontae Booker still running the backfield in place of an injured C.J. Anderson.

The Chiefs defense have the most interceptions this season (13) and 3 have been returned for a defensive touchdown.  Denver quarterback, Trevor Siemian, will need to avoid getting intercepted.  Although, that maybe easier said than done.

• Anyone can win (maybe).

If you compare the statistics for the Chiefs and Broncos, you’ll notice that it’s not just their season records that are tied.

Unfortunately, the Chiefs are dealing with some serious injuries – wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin (groin), and linebacker, Dee Ford (hamstring), have been ruled out for Sunday’s game.  And, corner back, Marcus Peters (knee), and linebacker, Tamba Hali (knee), were limited at practice.

While Broncos defensive end, Derek Wolf, and cornerback, Aqib Talib, returned to practice.

What can we expect in Week 12?

• Emanuel Sanders gets a touchdown.
• Spencer Ware get a touchdown.
• Both teams gets a defensive touchdown.

The Denver Broncos win?  Who knows?

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-6)

San Diego Chargers @ Houston Texans

See AFC SOUTH Week 12 Preview and Predictions.