AFCW: Week 9

[Mile High Mania]

We're at the halfway point of the season and the Chiefs stand alone as the only unbeaten team in the land with a perfect record at the halfway point, and after a 2 win season a year ago, they are a lock for reaching the 10 win mark and by all accounts advancing to the playoffs. No, that's not a double reverse mojo comment - they've played well and the fans are going to soon be rewarded for their love and patience by watching their Chiefs advance - question is ... what seed?

Oakland pulled off a win vs the Steelers and the Chargers had a bye week. This week, the Broncos are resting and watching the rest of the teams battle it out in week 9.

Chiefs 8-0
Broncos 7-1
Chargers 4-3
Raiders 3-4

Chiefs @ Bills (3-5) ---
I've been accused of always saying KC would lose, but that's not the case. Remember, I said they'd outlast the Broncos as the last undefeated team. And, while Smith broke a 3 game stretch of no passing TDs last week (he had 2), the Chiefs have a very tough road game this week. The Bills have defeated Baltimore, Miami and Carolina while losing in OT to Cincy and having a narrow loss in week 1 vs NE.

The Chiefs have dominated on defense and have been 'good enough' on offense through the first 8 games. The Bills offense averages 2 fewer points per game than KC, while their defense is 25th in points allowed. Lewis has proven to be very capable at QB, and again the Chiefs defense faces another young, unproven depth chart QB. The Bills have decent weapons at RB and WR, but can they pull it together against KC?

The Bills are fairly weak with their run defense, so if KC locks in early and often with the run game, then they won't need much from Alex Smith and the passing game.

KC should win this game, especially if they're looking to make a statement heading into their bye week with games vs Denver (twice) and the Chargers in the next month. All that being said, I think the "good enough" offense results in a loss this week. The Chiefs have had a lot of close games in the 4th quarter, and it catches up with them in Buffalo.
Bills 20 / Chiefs 17

Chargers @ Redskins (2-5) ---
The Chargers are fully rested and after watching them fall apart in Denver, with RGIII looking confused and that defense getting torn apart, I think the Chargers win this one handily. Never underestimate the Chargers' ability to screw the pooch on the road, but it won't happen this week.
Chargers 34 / Redskins 27

Raiders vs Eagles (3-5) ---
Funny to think that 4-5 games ago, the entire NFL was all abuzz about Chip Kelly's offense and the number of snaps the offense would have in every game and could anyone stop them? Well, it turns out that college trickery isn't translating all that well in the NFL. Shocking.

In the last 2 games, they've put up 10 points after averaging in the mid 20's the first month of the season. The Raiders have talent, but with Pryor ... anything can happen, good or bad. I think they'll run run run as much as they can and that's really going to be their key to victory. The NFCE is incredibly woeful this year, and I think the Raiders look pretty decent in a win.
Raiders 24 / Eagles 13

So, there you go... yes, I'm projecting a loss for KC, but it won't be the end of the world and who knows, maybe that's a good thing for them to chew on during the bye week as they head into Denver and three upcoming games within the division.