AFC West Notebook: Broncos Look to Reset, Chargers Embrace Underdog Role, Raiders Rookie Turns Heads
Broncos: A Home Streak Snapped, But Perspective Intact
The Broncos' home magic ran out in Week 16, as they fell 34-20 to a surging Jaguars squad - their first loss in Denver since September. But if you ask rookie quarterback Bo Nix, this might be the kind of loss that pays dividends down the line.
“We got hit in the mouth today,” Nix admitted after the game. “They played a good game and we let it get away. But you’d rather have it hit you now than in the first round of playoffs.”
That’s the kind of mindset you want from your young quarterback. No panic, just perspective.
Nix didn’t frame it as a wake-up call - the Broncos had been playing solid football - but rather a reset. A reminder that momentum can shift quickly in this league, and that the margin for error only shrinks as the calendar flips to January.
“It’ll put you in a good mindset if you let it,” Nix said. “You can’t let this one linger. We have to move on and attack this week on just a short couple of days.”
With the AFC playoff race tightening, Denver will need to shake this one off fast. The postseason is still within reach, but the margin is thinning, and every possession from here on out matters.
Chargers: Quiet Confidence, Loud Quarterback Play
Don’t expect the Chargers to be campaigning for attention. That’s not their style - and according to safety Derwin James, that’s exactly how they like it.
“We want it like that,” James said after the team clinched a playoff berth. “I don’t want to be the team that I wake up and my whole family is over-calling me, ‘Hey, I just seen you on TV.
They say y’all are gonna win the Super Bowl.’ We don’t want that.
We don’t need that.”
It’s a message of humility and hunger from one of the team’s vocal leaders. The Chargers know they haven’t reached the mountaintop yet - and they’re not interested in premature crowns.
As James put it, “We haven’t done nothing to earn that... Leave it how it is.”
While the team may be flying under the radar, their quarterback certainly isn’t. Head coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t hold back when asked about Justin Herbert’s season.
“It’s definitely MVP-caliber,” Harbaugh said. “He’s doing things game after game that are reserved for only the best that are in the game and have ever played the game.”
That’s high praise from a coach who’s seen elite quarterback play up close. Herbert’s blend of arm strength, poise, and command has been on full display - and he’s doing it with the kind of consistency that separates good from great.
On the disciplinary side, safety Tony Jefferson was fined twice - $7,111 for a hit on a defenseless player and another $7,111 for an obscene gesture. Not the kind of attention the Chargers are looking for, but they’ll hope to keep the focus on the field as the postseason looms.
Raiders: A Rookie Running Back Demands Respect
Sometimes in the NFL, a player makes such an impression that even the opponent has to take a second and appreciate it. That’s exactly what happened when Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. faced off against Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty.
“I’ve never been in the game and actually like stopped and was like: ‘man this man’s a dog,’” Anderson said. “A ton of respect for him.
He’s going to be a really good player in this league. Tough back, tough runner, hard to bring down.”
That’s not just praise - that’s a statement. When a player of Anderson’s caliber takes notice mid-game, it speaks volumes about Jeanty’s potential. The rookie’s blend of toughness and burst is clearly catching eyes around the league, and it looks like the Raiders may have found a gem.
Elsewhere, a couple of Raiders defenders were hit with fines. Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly was fined $5,722 for a violent gesture, while linebacker Devin White was fined $6,500 for taunting - a reminder that discipline will be key as this young team continues to build.
Coaching Carousel Watch
As the coaching carousel begins to spin, one name to keep an eye on is Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. With speculation swirling around the future of Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, Minter’s name has surfaced as a potential candidate. His ties to Michigan - and the recent success of former Wolverines Jim Harbaugh and Mike Macdonald in the NFL - only add to the intrigue.
Final Word
Week 16 gave us a little bit of everything in the AFC West - a humbling loss in Denver, a quiet contender in L.A., and a breakout moment for a rookie in Vegas. With the playoffs just around the corner, every snap, every quote, and every adjustment matters. Buckle up - the AFC West isn’t done making noise yet.