AFC West Report: Weekend Rewind

It wasn’t a great weekend for the AFC West. Only a single team managed to win their game. So which players stood out?

St. Louis 31 - Kansas City 17
The Governor’s Cup stays in the Gateway City as St. Louis jumped out quickly and never looked back in a 31-17 win over Kansas City in the Edward Jones Dome. Rams receivers Lance Kendricks (23-yards) and Danny Amendola (8-yards) caught scoring strikes from a healthy Sam Bradford as St. Louis, who could manage only a field goal in last week’s 38-3 loss to Indianapolis, struck quickly for a 14-0 first quarter lead. Bradford ended the night going 6 of 9 for 102-yards and two touchdowns while Steven Jackson carried the football seven times for 49-yards.

As for the Chiefs, turnovers by wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin (fumble) and an interception by quarterback Ricky Stanzi helped St. Louis to two scores. Defensively, Kansas City looked dynamically different than they did in last Friday’s dominate win over Arizona. The Chiefs first team defense allowed 151-yards in the first quarter alone. Quarterback Matt Cassel was efficient once again going 13-18 for 142-yards but the first eleven were unable to reach the end zone.

Next week Kansas City returns home for the all-important third preseason game to Arrowhead as they’ll host Seattle while St. Louis travels to Cowboys Stadium to take on Dallas.

Chiefs vs. Rams Box Score and Stats

Peyton Manning looked anything like an All Pro Saturday night against Seattle?
US Presswire/Brian Hetzler

Seattle 30 - Denver 10
Peyton Manning threw two interceptions in the first half and former AFC West foe Seattle piled up 405-yards of total defense on their way to a 30-10 win over the Broncos at Sports Authority Field in Denver.

Denver struggled offensively as eight of their ten drives ended in a punt or turnover. Manning ended the first half 16-23 for 177-yards and those two picks.

It was a 10-9 game at half with the Broncos on top but Wisconsin rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, who is fighting free agent signee Matt Flynn for the starting signal-caller’s job led two touchdown drives in the second half as Pete Carroll’s squad outscored Denver 21-0 in the final two quarters.

The Seahawks are back in action next Friday as they head to Kansas City while the Broncos host San Francisco on Sunday.

Seahawks vs. Broncos Box Score and Game Notes

Run DMC appears to be back at 100% and that's bad news for the AFC West.
US Presswire / Mark J. Rebilas

Arizona 31 - Oakland 27
This game had just about everything – a safety, a blocked punt for a score and a fumble return for a touchdown as Arizona held on late and managed a 31-27 over the Raiders.

After Saturday night’s contest there’s still no separation in the battle for the starting quarterback in Arizona (1-2) as Kevin Kolb (3-6-22) and John Skelton (3-3-21-1) both had effective contests. Only one though - Skelton led a touchdown drive.

The Raiders (0-2) were a woeful 36-percent on third down and 16 of their 27-points were scored by their defense. Quarterback, Carson Palmer, went 13 of 24 for 107-yards and an interception. Running back Darren McFadden looks healthy and ready to go as he rushed for 34-yards on just nine carries.

Next week could clear up some things for both teams in the third week of the preseason. Oakland heads back home to take on Detroit on Saturday while Arizona gets the short week and hosts the Tennessee Titans on Thursday.

Raiders vs. Cardinals Box Score and Game Notes

Dave Barr is a 19-year sports radio veteran who has worked for ESPN, Sporting News Radio and in markets like Cincinnati, Little Rock and Tulsa. Currently Barr is the program director for 1450 The Score in Joplin, Missouri and hosts the A.M. Grind weekday mornings from 6-9am. Want more Dave follow him on Twitter @Daveabarr.

Back-up Chargers Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst had his best game of the preseason Saturday night against the Cowboys.
US Presswire - Christopher Hanewinckel

San Diego 28 - Dallas 20
The Chargers scored all 28 of their points in the second half as well as 21 of those in the fourth quarter as San Diego came from behind and best the Dallas Cowboys 28-20 at Qualcomm Stadium.

A Charger once again, quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, was the star of the game going 7-12 for 122-yards and two touchdowns. If you look at the numbers, San Diego should have lost the game as they came up short in every offensive category including a huge disparity in time of possession in which Dallas held an almost nine-minute advantage.

Dallas played four quarterbacks in the game led by starter, Tony Romo, who finished with 75-yards on nine of 13 passing.

Dallas returns home and Cowboys Stadium next Thursday as St. Louis comes to town. San Diego hosts Minnesota on Friday.

Cowboys vs. Chargers Box Score and Game Notes

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So how would you rank the AFC West after two exhibition games?

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