Chargers Face Jaguars; Raiders Challenge Cowboys
Trevor Phipps
Well, even though they come close to giving me a heart attack nearly every week, I can honestly admit that the Denver Broncos seem to be for real this year.
They have hung in there until the very end of almost every game and could easily have displayed a 9-0 record at the outset of the season, if it wasn’t for some questionable calls and bizarre strokes of luck. But as one area columnist recently proclaimed, they are probably the worst 7-2 team in the NFL at the halfway point (and at the time of this writing). Regardless, the Broncs have beaten good teams and shown that they won’t get upset by bad ones.
After Week 9, the team was tied with the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots for sporting the best winning record in the league, with a few other heavy weights posting 6-2 marks. And to make things even better, the Broncos are securely in first place in the AFC West. After Week 9, the team was a game ahead of the Chargers and two games ahead of the Chiefs.
And after looking at the remainder of their schedule, the Broncos seem to have a pretty clear path to the playoffs. After beating Houston in week 9, NFL Next Gen Stats gave the Broncos a 91 percent chance of making the postseason.
After the Broncos squeaked out a win against the Texans, the Broncos stayed in the top five in power rankings in the NFL. However, since they barely won their Week 9 match, they did drop from third place to fourth in power rankings.
Overall, I think the Broncos will be successful for the rest of the season. Besides their match against the tough Green Bay Packers on Dec. 14, their hardest games to win will be the remainder of their division matches, with an expected thriller this Sunday against the KC Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos, Sunday 2:25 p.m.
The Broncos’ offense has definitely come a long way since the beginning of the season. Instead of making their defense do all of the work, the team has shown that they can put up some points against tough defenses.
But we all know that the highlight of the team is their 2025 reprise of the “Orange Crush Defense.” Even without their star corner back Pat Surtain II, the Broncos’ D held the Texans to zero touchdowns. Their strong red zone defense was on point during all four quarters.
The Broncos don’t actually have the best numbers when it comes to stopping the pass or the rush. But, they know how to play physically and come up with big stops when it counts.
But enough with talking up the Broncos as you can never count out the Kansas City Chiefs. Even though they dropped a big game to the Buffalo Bills in Week 9, they still played very well. Yes, they are still the CHIEFS.
When it comes to offense the Chiefs are in fourth place with passing yards and ninth in the league in overall rushing yards. On defense, the Chiefs are still in the top half of the league when it comes to stopping the pass and the run. And even though they are only 10th when it comes to power rankings, I think they will overcome the Broncos this week. They are hungrier for a win too.
Trevor’s Pick: Kansas City Chiefs 28, Denver Broncos 24
Vegas Line: Chiefs by 1.5.
Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday 11 a.m.
The Chargers faltered just enough mid-season to let the Broncs pass them up in the AFC West. But I don’t think they can be counted out. In fact, I’d bet that they will still be a force to reckon with through the postseason.
For the past couple of weeks, the Chargers have stayed at 12th in power rankings. The Chargers are in the middle of the pack when it comes to defense, but they are better at stopping the pass than the run. Offensively though, the team leads the league in putting up the most passing yards.
The Jaguars this year have really turned things around. I have liked what I have seen from QB Trevor Lawrence and would like to see them keep improving. After Week 9, they had has a power ranking of 15th.
Statistically, the Chargers out rank the Jags in almost every category. As much as I would like to see the Chargers lose this week, I just don’t think it will happen.
Trevor’s Pick: Los Angeles Chargers 31, Jacksonville Jaguars 17
Vegas Line: Chargers by 1.5.
Dallas Cowboys at Las Vegas Raiders, Monday 6:15 p.m.
The Raiders still haven’t put much together this season, and I don’t see signs of huge improvements. I have already read claims that they are looking at switching their starting quarterback at mid-season.
For most of the season, the Raiders have stayed at the bottom of the barrel in the NFL’s power rankings. After week 9 though, they did move up to 28th.
The Cowboys don’t sit much better at 21st in power rankings, but I have liked what I have seen from them this season. Their offense has been quite stellar and they have put up a decent number of points against stellar defenses.
Their defense definitely needs work, but the Raiders probably won’t challenge them much this week. Honestly, I feel this game should have been “flexed” for a more interesting match for Monday Night Football.
Trevor’s Pick: Dallas Cowboys 42, Las Vegas Raiders 14
Vegas Line: Cowboys by 1.5.
