AFC West Week 11 Preview and Predictions

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-3)

Tampa Bay BuccaneersKansas City Chiefs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Kansas City Chiefs

With a five game win streak entering week 11, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home.

In week 10, the Chiefs were held to 3-points for most of the game, but managed to put up 14 points in the fourth quarter to tie the game.  With 20 seconds left, cornerback Marcus Peters stripped wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin allowing Cairo Santos to kick a 37-yard field goal.  And the Kansas City Chiefs overcame a 17-point deficit, defeating the Carolina Panthers 20-17.

The Buccaneers are 4-5 in the season.  Their defense is ranked 23rd against the pass(allowing 267.7 pass yards per game), 25th against the run (allowing 118.3 rush yards per game), and have allowed 26.9 points per game.  In week 10, the Buccaneers dismantled the Chicago Bears, defeating them 36-10.  But, the Buccaneers are looking at a challenge against the Chiefs on Sunday.

Is a victory in sight for the Kansas City Chiefs?

  • The Chiefs linebacker, Dee Ford, is tied as the leagues sack leader with 10 sacks.  The Chiefs not only lead the league in total interceptions (13) but defensive end, Marcus Peters, is tied in the league for the most individual interceptions (5).  The Chiefs defense is ranked 13th in the league against the pass (allowing 244.4 yards per game).  Pressure on Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston will be important to minimize this surprisingly productive Buccaneers passing game.
Latavius Murray - USA Today Sports Photo

Latavius Murray – USA Today Sports Photo

  • And although, Mike Evans has been targeted 108 times this season, has 811 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, pacing the Buccaneers, stopping him will not be good enough.  Wide receiver, Russell Shephard, has had 101 yards and 2 touchdowns over the past two weeks, and tight end, Cameron Brate, has had 375 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns this season both contributing to the Buccaneers recent success over the air.
  • Although the Chiefs rush defense is ranked 27th in the league (allowing 121.7 yards per game) they’ve only allowed 4 touchdowns this season.  The Buccaneers running back, Doug Martin, who’s been out with a hamstring injury, recently returned in week 10 to rush for 33 yards and a touchdown against the Bears.  The Chiefs not only have to find a way to contain Martin, but also a running quarterback in Winston, as well.
  • With Chiefs wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin, likely out week 11, wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, and tight end, Travis Kelce, will like get the lion’s share of the work.  And, the Buccaneers know it.
  • Chiefs quarterback, Alex Smith, needs to find the end zone.  In week 10, Smith had only 178 passing yards and no touchdowns.  The Chiefs prevailed on four fields goals, and a defensive touchdown by defensive end, Eric Berry.  A remarkable come from behind win will be difficult to do two weeks in a row, particularly with the same anemic offense.

What can we expect in Week 11?

  • Jameis Winston has a rushing touchdown.
  • Tyreek Hill has a touchdown.

The Kansas City Chiefs win.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (7-3)

Houston TexansOakland Raiders

Houston Texans @ Oakland Raiders

With an elevation of 7382-feet above sea-level, the Oakland Raiders will host the Houston Texans in Mexico City on Monday Night.  The Raiders are coming off a bye-week, while the Texans are coming off a 24-21 win against the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars.

Oakland Raiders:

The Oakland Raiders have the 6th most passing yards in the league (273.3 yards per game), the 4th most rushing yards in the league (127.8 yards per game), and have scored the 5th most points per game (27.2).

The Raiders ground game consists of four words — running back Latavius Murray.  A predominantly passing offense, Murray has still totaled 393 rushing yards and has the 6th most rushing touchdowns in the league (8).  Over the air, Carr has two reliable wide receivers in Amari Cooper (843 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns) and Micheal Crabtree (596 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns).

But will the Houston Texans defense be a match for the Raiders powerhouse offense?

In week 9, the Denver Broncos, who has allowed the least amount of passing yards per game (194.3), held Carr to 184 passing yards and no touchdowns, while allowing 218 rush yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.  The Texans have allowed the 3rd least passing yards per game this season (196.8).  And although they’ve allowed 120.7 rushing yards per game, the Texans have limited their last two opponents to 58 rush yards (week 9 – Detroit Lions) and 80 rush yards (week 10 – Jacksonville Jaguars), respectively.

Blake Bortles - Getty Images

Blake Bortles – Getty Images

Houston Texans:

While the Texans defense might be one of the best in the league, the inconsistent Texans offense will be the real test in week 11.  The Raiders defense has shown vast improvement since the start of the season, totaling 14 forced fumbles (among the highest in the league), 8 interceptions and 13 sacks, although allowing 283.2 passing yards per game (the 2nd most in the league) and 114.8 rushing yards per game (12th most in the league).  The Raiders have won their last three games by six points or more.

The Texans are looking at a tough match-up as their offense will be missing running back, Alfred Blue and Jonathan Grimes, while Lamar Miller (ankle) was limited at practice, but is said to be ready for Monday night.  Miller has been critical to this offense, rushing for 720 total yards and 2 touchdowns this season so far.

Texans quarterback, Brock Osweiler, has been less than stellar with just 1818 total passing yards, 11 touchdowns to 9 interceptions, having been sacked 17 times.  While one of last year’s top wide receivers, DeAndre Hopkins, has been limited to 482 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns this year.  Both will need to find a way to make plays against a vastly improved Oakland defense, including safety, Reggie Nelson, who had 3 interceptions this season, cornerback Sean Smith, who’s had 2 interceptions, and defensive end, Khalil Mack, who’s totaled 7 sacks and has 2 forced fumbles.

Luckily for the Raiders, J.J. Watt won’t be in Mexico City.

What can we expect in week 11?

  • C.J. Fiedorowicz gets a touchdown.
  • Latavius Murray gets a touchdown.

The Oakland Raiders win.

DENVER BRONCOS (7-3)

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BYE-WEEK

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-6)

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BYE-WEEK

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