AFC West: Who Wants It?

     Heading into week 15 of the NFL, there are 3 teams in contention. Yes, even the San Diego Chargers still have a feasible shot at winning the west. The Broncos are surging, winning 7 of their last 8 games since Tim Tebow took over at Quarterback. The Oakland Raiders sit alone in 2nd place at 7-6. Each team has 3 games remaining, and no team has any easy path. It is not unlikely that 9 wins will win the division. The Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots this Sunday, the Oakland Raiders host the fading Detroit Lions minus their best defender, and the San Diego Chargers host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football. That game will be Live on The Football Lounge. 

    No team has an easy path to the AFC West crown. It will become increasingly difficult for whichever team does qualify for the Playoffs. Although as of now, all that matters to these 3 teams is winning the West. The Chargers have the most difficult route, being 2 games behind the division leading Broncos with only 3 games to play. The Oakland Raiders play 2 of their final 3 games at home; but two of those games are against division rivals, never an easy task. The Broncos face the Patriots this weekend, although it gets a little easier after that with games against the Bills and the Chiefs. This division is Denver's to lose. 

    A deciding factor in who wins the west, who can get healthy? The Oakland Raiders should get back Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford, and Danarius Moore against the Lions. That is huge, as outside of Michael Bush those three players have accounted for most of Oakland's total offense. The Raiders play 2 of 3 against division opponents, but as of late Oakland has not had a problem winning within the division. If Oakland gets healthy against Detroit and sneaks away with a victory, it could very well be looking at a 10-6 finish. I find it hard to believe the Broncos can beat the Patriots, even if they have the second coming of Christ at Quarterback. The Chargers, with a very tough game this weekend against the Ravens, are just too far out. Norv Turner might be out as well, depending on how his team plays this Sunday. All signs point to the Oakland Raiders getting healthy, and winning a division that was theirs for most of the season. 


-Tim Hooper