The Chargers were the only team to win, but it was an awful game
It was a very ugly week for the AFC West. Everyone had a road game and only the Los Angeles Chargers made it out with a win. Albeit, it was probably the worst game that anyone has had the entire season.
Let’s see what went down.
Los Angeles Chargers @ New England Patriots
Final score: 6-0
Recap: Wow. What an awful game. It’s almost like we were thrown into a time machine and taken back into 1930. The only player who put up points this game was Cameron Dicker, who knocked through a pair of field goals.
This game featured 15 punts, seven three-and-outs, a fumble, and two turnovers-on-downs. Both of those turnovers-on-downs happened in the final two Patriot drives of the game and the closest they got to the endzone was the L.A. 30-yard line.
This one also featured just 13 first downs by either team. Teams were also just a combined 31% on third down conversions and the Patriots converted one of three fourth downs. All of this is just to say that there was almost no offense, the game was a drag, and the only big plays were a couple of deep passes by Herbert. There would’ve been more if his wide receivers could catch.
Injury concerns: No new injuries were reported.
Week 14 matchup: Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers
Denver Broncos @ Houston Texans
Final score: 17-22
Recap: The Broncos were unable to keep up the momentum as their five-game winning streak came to a halt following a game of total offensive ineptitude. There were a handful of moments in this one where they could’ve managed to pull it out, but they were unable to capitalize.
Denver got off to a very slow start in the first half, managing to gain just 48 yards in their first four drives, which resulted in four punts including two three-and-outs. These offensive shortcomings allowed the Texans to get out to an early 13-0 lead, one that they would hold for the remainder of the game.
The Broncos were able to make things interesting late in the game, scoring two touchdowns in three drives. They had the game in reach with a 1st and goal at the eight-yard line, but after two incomplete passes, Russell Wilson threw his third interception of the game and all hope was lost. At least they are just one game out of the Wild Card still.
Injury concerns: OG Quinn Meinerz left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
Week 14 matchup: Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers
Kansas City Chiefs @ Green Bay Packers
Final score: 19-27
Recap: It may be an overreaction, but it seems like the Packers will have three straight Hall of Famers as their franchise quarterbacks.
The Packers started this game red-hot, scoring touchdowns on both of their opening drives. Both times they drove 75 yards and topped off the drive with a Jordan Love touchdown pass. The Chiefs were able to respond to either score with a field goal, but that would end up not being enough.
The start of the second half featured more fireworks as the first three drives went for touchdowns. The Chiefs refused to back down in this one with them being the ones to score two of these three touchdowns. The score would sit at 21-19 in Green Bays’ favor after these scores, and the Packers would keep the lead the rest of the way. The Chiefs did have a couple of chances late to score, but Mahomes threw an interception at the Green Bay 49-yard line, and Kansas City would turn the ball over on downs at the Green Bay 33-yard line.
Injury concerns: LB Drue Tranquill left in the first quarter with a concussion and S Bryan Cook was carted off in the third quarter with an ankle injury.
Week 14 matchup: Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14 predictions
My season record now sits at 29-18 following the latest week of action. It was the Chiefs and the Broncos that made me wrong.
This week I’ll be taking the Broncos over the Chargers, the Chiefs over the Bills, and the Vikings over the Raiders. Drop your predictions in the comments!