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AFC West

Sporting News, The, Oct 11, 2004

One of Denver's best options at the goal line is using QB Jake Plummer on rollouts. But teams are using spies on him, making it tough for him to run into the end zone or get passes off.... Reuben Droughns is the utility player every team needs. He's the starting fullback and the kick returner, and now he's being used as the tailback in single-back sets. He also is an excellent receiver. Droughns is small for a fullback (6-0, 208) and sometimes has trouble opening holes. He also isn't fast enough to be the full-time feature back. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: C-. A sluggish running game and struggles in the red zone have overshadowed a solid start by QB Jake Plummer. Defense: A. CB Champ Bailey allows the team to mix coverages and schemes, and S John Lynch is playing at a Pro Bowl level. Special teams: B. K Jason Elam has been nearly perfect. The return game is nothing special. Coaching: B+. The offense is struggling, but the chemistry is excellent.--Patrick Saunders

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KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The club lacks speed at wide receiver. WRs Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker have been slowed by hamstring injuries, and Parker, a rookie, has been slow to learn plays, so the team lacks a true deep threat who can help it stretch the field.... The acquisition of DT Lional Dalton in the offseason is proving to be a smart move. He has been as disruptive as any of the team's defensive linemen and will continue to get more playing time. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: D. The Chiefs haven't come close to matching expectations. They must improve scoring production in the red zone.

Defense: D. It has been more disruptive and produced more negative yardage than in past seasons, but the Chiefs still have allowed too many big plays. They must improve on third down. Special teams: C-. Field position occasionally has been a problem. KR Dante Hall hasn't been himself. Coaching: D-. Questionable offseason personnel and game-day decisions have hurt.--Adam Teicher

OAKLAND RAIDERS

QB Kerry Collins is the full-time starter until further notice after Rich Gannon sustained a broken vertebra. The Raiders won't scale back their offense, but they will take on a different look. Collins' strong arm enables the Raiders to throw deep more often. The tradeoff: Collins is apt to get sacked more often and throw more interceptions and incompletions than Gannon.... Ronold Curry has developed into a legitimate threat as a No. 3 receiver. His speed and sure hands make him a viable option in any situation. Curry is a former quarterback whose experience helps him understand what Collins expects of him and run better routes. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: C+. Collins' big-play capability makes Oakland a much bigger threat. Defense: B. The players have bought into Rob Ryan's scheme. Special teams: C+. Much more consistent than in recent seasons. Coaching: B. Norv Turner and Ryan implemented new systems without a rough transition.--Steve Corkran

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

Big, strong and experienced, LT Roman Oben (6-4, 305) has been efficient as both a run blocker and pass protector. His savviness is an underrated strength. He understands how to set up defenders, sometimes taking them out of plays with his leverage or angles, using defenders' aggressiveness to his advantage.... San Diego's run defense has been exceptional the past two weeks. The line isn't overly big, particularly among the backups, so coordinator Wade Phillips uses the linebackers in the 3-4 scheme to blitz and fill the gaps. When he allowed linebackers to sit back and wait on blockers, the Jets gashed them for big gains. FIRST QUARTER GRADES: Offense: B. Inconsistency is an issue. Defense: C+. Pass defense is a problem, but the run defense has improved. Special teams: B. P Mike Scifres and K Nate Kaeding have been outstanding. But the cover teams need improvement. Coaching: C. Marty Schottenheimer grades on the final score, and the Chargers are 2-2.--Jim Trotter

AFC West

Sporting News, The, Oct 11, 2004

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