Denver Native (Carol)
09-22-2010, 02:18 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_16136211
Two weeks into the 2010 season, the Broncos are 1-1 and still looking up at the Chiefs (2-0) in the AFC West. But at least the Broncos are in good company. The Raiders and Chargers are 1-1 too.
As we take what will be a weekly look at the division, folks know the Broncos' plight at the moment. They received a much-needed jolt of good vibes with a 31-14 rout of the Seahawks in Denver. But with starting cornerbacks André Goodman (thigh) and Champ Bailey (heel) hit with injuries, the Broncos face the possibility of trying to stop Colts quarterback Peyton Manning with one or two rookies in the secondary. That's if Bailey, Goodman or both can't play Sunday.
The Broncos have to get Perrish Cox and Cassius Vaughn ready, just in case, and hope for the best in the training room. Manning has 14 touchdown passes in his last four meetings with the Broncos and has been sacked just once in those four games.
The Chiefs, 2-0 for the first time since 2005, are one of eight undefeated teams in the NFL.
They have more speed this year and play with more passion, but the Chiefs are still waiting for quarterback Matt Cassel to come along for the ride. Cassel has completed just 52 percent of his passes and is averaging only 4.9 yards per pass attempt. He has thrown one touchdown pass and two interceptions.
The Chiefs can run the ball. They're vastly improved on special teams. And they have played just enough defense to get two wins. But their only touchdown in Week 2 came on defense. So if Cassel doesn't become a factor, the Chiefs' stay at the top of the AFC West will be brief.
Elsewhere in the division, the Chargers rebounded from their season-opening loss to the Chiefs with a victory over the Jaguars. Jacksonville turned the ball over six times, which is five more times than any team should do against San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers.
Chargers rookie running back Ryan Mathews will get plenty of attention this week — because of his injured ankle and his fumbling. Mathews has fumbled twice in two games, a trend the Chargers aren't going to like moving forward. Defenses will be taking extra swipes at the football Mathews is carrying until he proves he can take better care of it.
The Raiders, meanwhile, asked quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to save them once again. Coach Tom Cable benched Jason Campbell at halftime in Week 2, and Gradkowski rallied the Raiders to a win over the Rams.
Cable hasn't said who the Raiders' starting quarterback will be in Week 3, but most people in the league believe he'd lose his locker room if Gradkowski doesn't get the nod. Raiders owner Al Davis likes Campbell, so that complicates the situation for Cable.
The Raiders may have Michael Bush at running back to complement Darren McFadden. Bush had stitches removed from his injured thumb this week and is hoping to play against Arizona.
Two weeks into the 2010 season, the Broncos are 1-1 and still looking up at the Chiefs (2-0) in the AFC West. But at least the Broncos are in good company. The Raiders and Chargers are 1-1 too.
As we take what will be a weekly look at the division, folks know the Broncos' plight at the moment. They received a much-needed jolt of good vibes with a 31-14 rout of the Seahawks in Denver. But with starting cornerbacks André Goodman (thigh) and Champ Bailey (heel) hit with injuries, the Broncos face the possibility of trying to stop Colts quarterback Peyton Manning with one or two rookies in the secondary. That's if Bailey, Goodman or both can't play Sunday.
The Broncos have to get Perrish Cox and Cassius Vaughn ready, just in case, and hope for the best in the training room. Manning has 14 touchdown passes in his last four meetings with the Broncos and has been sacked just once in those four games.
The Chiefs, 2-0 for the first time since 2005, are one of eight undefeated teams in the NFL.
They have more speed this year and play with more passion, but the Chiefs are still waiting for quarterback Matt Cassel to come along for the ride. Cassel has completed just 52 percent of his passes and is averaging only 4.9 yards per pass attempt. He has thrown one touchdown pass and two interceptions.
The Chiefs can run the ball. They're vastly improved on special teams. And they have played just enough defense to get two wins. But their only touchdown in Week 2 came on defense. So if Cassel doesn't become a factor, the Chiefs' stay at the top of the AFC West will be brief.
Elsewhere in the division, the Chargers rebounded from their season-opening loss to the Chiefs with a victory over the Jaguars. Jacksonville turned the ball over six times, which is five more times than any team should do against San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers.
Chargers rookie running back Ryan Mathews will get plenty of attention this week — because of his injured ankle and his fumbling. Mathews has fumbled twice in two games, a trend the Chargers aren't going to like moving forward. Defenses will be taking extra swipes at the football Mathews is carrying until he proves he can take better care of it.
The Raiders, meanwhile, asked quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to save them once again. Coach Tom Cable benched Jason Campbell at halftime in Week 2, and Gradkowski rallied the Raiders to a win over the Rams.
Cable hasn't said who the Raiders' starting quarterback will be in Week 3, but most people in the league believe he'd lose his locker room if Gradkowski doesn't get the nod. Raiders owner Al Davis likes Campbell, so that complicates the situation for Cable.
The Raiders may have Michael Bush at running back to complement Darren McFadden. Bush had stitches removed from his injured thumb this week and is hoping to play against Arizona.