Kansas City Chiefs Storylines

What else can we say about this team? It just keeps on plugging away and doing what it has to do. There are currently four teams you can label as elite – the Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs are 7-1 and showing no signs of slowing down. They have a potential trap game this weekend, though, against the 2-6 Arizona Cardinals. After that game looms are a huge game against the Rams in Mexico City.

There will be a lot of Super Bowl preview hype next week. But the Chiefs have to get past the Cardinals before concentrating on the Rams. The line suggests there will be no let down. The Chiefs are favorite by 17 points at top NFL sportsbooks, their biggest point spread since 1992 against the Patriots.

Los Angeles Chargers Storylines

Because of what Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are doing, not many people are paying attention to the Chargers. They should. The Chargers have won five straight games and are 6-2. They loom one-game behind the Chiefs in the AFC West. Kansas City won in L.A. in Week 1. This division race is not over. The Chargers are for real.

Oakland Raiders Storylines

The big question in Oakland these days is whether the Raiders will win another game. At 1-7, they look like a fine bet to earn the No.1 overall pick. It has been a season of misery for the Raiders. But life got a lot worse for the Raiders in Week 9.

They were humiliated, 34-3, by Bay Area rival San Francisco. The 49ers entered the game with a 1-7 record and started Nick Mullins, who never took a snap in the NFL, at quarterback. And the game was never close. It seems every week, life gets more challenging for Jon Gruden and his beleaguered team.

Denver Broncos Storylines

The Broncos are 3-6 as they sit at their bye. John Elway gave another vote of confidence to second-year coach Vance Joseph, after another close loss, this time to Houston. The Broncos will come out of the bye and play the final seven weeks of the season for pride.

AFC West Injury Updates

Kansas City receiver Sammy Watkins has a foot injury that could keep him out Sunday. Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston is dealing with a hamstring injury. Also, star safety Eric Berry remains out with Achilles and heel injuries.

The Raiders hope to get left tackle Kolton Miller back form a re-aggravated knee injury, but that may be determined later this week.

Star Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa has been out all regular season with a bone bruise. The team continues to be hopeful that he will return soon.

AFC West Betting Tips and Picks

Here are some things for NFL betting fans to consider this week in the AFC West:

Chiefs vs. Cardinals O/U

I know the Cardinals offense is putrid. But I believe in the Chiefs offense. It likes putting on a show for the home folks. The {over/under line of 50 set by 888Sport looks pretty reasonable here. Bet the over with 888Sport.

Chargers vs. Raiders ATS

The Chargers are rolling and are 9.5-point favorites with 888Sport. Philip Rivers is having an MVP-type season and he owns the Raiders. He has averaged 331 yards and completed 75 percent of his passes in the past three games against the Raiders, who have allowed 42 points each in their past two games in Oakland. Take the Chargers, give the points.

Chargers-Raiders O/U

The line is 50.5, and while the Chargers should win this game easily, I think the under is safe. The two teams combined to score 36 points last month in L.A. with the Chargers winning easily 26-10. I can see a similar game.