AFC West Roundup: Broncos Grind Out a Win, Chiefs Stay Scrappy, and Raiders Still Searching for Answers
Broncos: Bonitto Closes the Door in Overtime
The Broncos walked out of overtime with a win over the Commanders, thanks to a clutch defensive play from EDGE Nik Bonitto, who batted down Marcus Mariota’s pass to seal the deal. It was the kind of finish that leaves fans gasping and coaches sweating, but head coach Sean Payton wasn’t buying the idea that Denver merely “escaped” with the victory.
“We didn’t escape. We won,” Payton said postgame.
“The journey of a good team’s season involves games like this. And then you believe you can do it again.”
That’s a telling quote from a coach who knows what it takes to build a contender. Games like this - gritty, chaotic, and decided by inches - are often where a team’s identity is forged.
Bonitto’s game-winning deflection wasn’t just a highlight; it was a statement. Denver’s defense has been trending up, and moments like this show the kind of resilience and playmaking that can carry a team through the back half of the season.
Chiefs: Reid’s Not Waving the White Flag
Despite the Chiefs’ playoff hopes taking a hit, head coach Andy Reid isn’t backing down. And if you’re wondering whether Kansas City is still fighting, Reid made it clear with a vintage quote.
“If you’re coming to me, we’re going to go after you every game, and that’s how we roll,” he said. “We’re going to tickle your tonsils on every play, every game.”
Translation? The Chiefs aren’t going quietly.
Still, there’s no ignoring the issues. Penalties have been a major thorn in Kansas City’s side - they’ve racked up the fifth-most in the league - and those self-inflicted wounds have stalled drives and shifted momentum in critical moments.
“We have to make sure we take care of business with the penalties, keep working our fundamentals and techniques,” Reid said. “Not saying I agree with all of them, or half of them [against Dallas].
But they took place. We’re not going to use that as an excuse.”
The silver lining? The Chiefs have been in every game. Reid pointed out that the margin between winning and losing has been razor-thin.
“You’re one or two plays away, and that’s what this game is,” he said. “You look at our season, we’re one or two plays off, and we take care of that - whether it’s a penalty at a crucial time, a possible turnover somewhere, or having a chance to create a turnover - we are right in position where if we can figure out those two, three plays, you flip this around.”
It’s a frustrating place to be, but also a hopeful one. For all the miscues, the Chiefs remain competitive - and with a coach like Reid at the helm, you can bet they’ll keep swinging.
Raiders: New Playcaller, Same Growing Pains
The Raiders made a notable move ahead of Week 13, parting ways with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and promoting quarterbacks coach Greg Olson to take over play-calling duties. But if fans were expecting a dramatic turnaround, head coach Pete Carroll was quick to temper expectations.
“Offensively, to have an expectation that we’re gonna flip-flop and all of the sudden be ripping, which we would have liked to have seen that, but that didn’t happen,” Carroll said. “We’re a ways away.”
It’s a candid assessment from a coach who knows this is going to be a process. The offense didn’t magically transform overnight, and while there may have been flashes of improvement, consistency remains elusive.
Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, a first-round pick, spoke about the changes under Olson but emphasized that it ultimately falls on the players to execute.
That’s the reality in the NFL - schemes can shift, play-callers can change, but if the guys on the field aren’t executing, the results won’t follow. The Raiders are in the early stages of a reset on offense, and while there’s talent in the building, they’re still figuring out how to put it all together.
Final Word
This week in the AFC West gave us a little bit of everything: a defensive stand that saved the day in Denver, a defiant coach keeping the fire alive in Kansas City, and a Raiders offense still trying to find its rhythm. December football is here, and these are the moments that define seasons - and futures.