NFL Standings 2014: Are San Diego Chargers Threat to Denver Broncos' AFC West Crown?
The Denver Broncos are the defending AFC Champions, having lost to the Seattle Seahawks in last year's Super Bowl. With Peyton Manning as their starting quarterback, the possibilities are endless.
No team has dominated their division like the Broncos have in recent years. Since acquiring Peyton Manning, the Broncos are 13-1 against their divisional opponents, including a playoff win against the San Diego Chargers last season.
But this NFL season may not be as easy.
The Chargers are 4-1 after five games played, and are currently riding a four-game winning streak. The Chargers' winning streak is the longest in the AFC, and tied for the longest in the National Football League with the Dallas Cowboys.
Quarterback Philip Rivers is playing outstandingly so far this season. The 32-year-old quarterback has the best passer rating this season, 116.3. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is also the best in the league, as Rivers has 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Rivers is an early candidate for the Most Valuable Player award.
The passing game is not an issue for the Chargers, especially when Rivers is throwing the ball and Eddie Royal and Antonio Gates are catching passes. Unfortunately for the Chargers, the ground game has been an issue.
The Chargers rank No. 27 overall in rushing yards per game this season after five games. As a team, the Chargers have just two rushing touchdowns.
Their starting running back, Ryan Mathews, has been sidelined with a leg injury. Mathews had 1,255 rushing yards for the team last season, so the Chargers need him for a balanced attack.
The Denver Broncos are still the favorites to win this division, as they have won the AFC West the last three seasons. Manning and the Broncos passing attack ranks among the best in the league as usual. The only loss for the Broncos came against the Seahawks, in an overtime thriller, 26-20.
Both the Broncos and Chargers benefit from losing just one game, to a non-conference opponent. While the Broncos lost to the Seahawks, the Chargers were able to beat them at home in Week 2. On the other hand, the Chargers lost to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, but the Broncos were victorious against the Cardinals. Fortunately for both teams, week 6 should be an easy game. The Broncos take on the 1-4 New York Jets, and the Chargers face the 0-4 Oakland Raiders.
The Kansas City Chiefs had a strong season last year, but most likely, the team will finish in third place in the division.
The Broncos and Chargers face off in Week 8 on Oct. 23, and Week 15 on Dec. 14. Those two divisional games will be extremely critical to determining who wins the AFC West. Finishing second place in the division can still deliver a playoff spot, but no home-field advantage come playoff time.
Both the Chargers and Broncos may very well be the two best teams in the AFC, but only one of them can win the AFC West.
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