AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

• According to KUSA’s Mike Klis, Broncos CB Kevin Toliver also suffered a torn ACL, making him the third Denver corner to suffer the injury in the past week. 
• Broncos HC Vic Fangio said OLB Von Miller started running last week but he won’t play this week. (Klis)
• Fangio noted both LT Garett Bolles and TE Noah Fant, who were ill Sunday with “stomach issues,” have returned to Denver after staying in Charlotte overnight: “I’m optimistic they’ll be ready to play (Saturday against Buffalo) … we do not think it was COVID, but obviously we’ll keep testing and make sure it wasn’t. We believe it was something else.” (Jeff Legwold)

Chargers

Another week, another coaching gaffe by the Chargers. At the end of the first half on a 3rd-and-1 deep in Falcons territory, the Chargers ran the ball with 22 seconds left. The resulting scramble left them unable to get the field goal unit on in time and cost them three points. Even though Los Angeles pulled out a victory, that’s the type of call that’s put HC Anthony Lynn on the hot seat even if it came from OC Shane Steichen.

“You cannot run the ball in that situation,” Lynn said via Gilbert Manzano of the Southern California News Group. “You just can’t. We try to be aggressive, but you can’t run the ball in that situation and that right there, that’s an area where we’ve got to improve as a coaching staff, communication-wise, and we will. But you cannot run the ball there.”

Chiefs

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes walks the line between reckless and daring better than anyone in possibly the history of the sport but it bit him in butt Sunday, with three interceptions and a 30-yard sack among his gaffes. Still, what makes Mahomes great is his ability to compartmentalize those mistakes, as he threw for 393 yards and two touchdowns to lead Kansas City to a win anyway. 

“I’ve always been someone if I throw an interception it’s not going to change my mentality,” Mahomes said via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “I’m going to continue to fire, I’m going to continue to shoot the ball downfield, let my guys try to make plays. Whenever you start being timid after you throw an interception that’s how you lose games.”

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill just had a cramp and avoided a hamstring injury late in Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. 
• Chiefs HC Andy Reid said Charvarius Ward has cleared the concussion protocol. (Nate Taylor)

Raiders

• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says a number of things went into the Raiders’ decision to fire DC Paul Guenther, including the team’s poor defensive performance throughout much of 2020 and Guenther allegedly getting into it with HC Jon Gruden during the 44-27 loss to the Colts Sunday. 
• Rapoport adds Guenther and other defensive coaches were unhappy about the allocation of resources to their side of the ball. Las Vegas is spending $52 million more on the offense than the defense. 
• However, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reports there was no incident between Guenther and Gruden. 
• Gruden commented on the decision Monday afternoon: “A very tough decision we made. Paul is a great friend and a great coach…we need a new voice right now. Probably help Paul in the long run getting away from me…we need new energy.” (Paul Gutierrez)
• Gruden has a lot of confidence in Guenther’s replacement, DL coach Rod Marinelli, who’s been a long-time NFL coach: “We need a new energy, and with three games left we’re going to let Rod Marinelli call the plays. He’s experienced doing that. We have a good staff, we have a lot of young players, and we want to service those players the best way we can.” (Jerry McDonald)
• Marinelli has just three games left but Gruden doesn’t think that will be an issue for him: “He looks forward to adversity. He thrives in it. I think he looks forward to these challenges, the building of this defense, putting it all together.” (McDonald)
• Raiders S Johnathan Abram and LB Nicholas Morrow are both in the concussion protocol, which likely rules them out Thursday. (Gutierrez)
• The Raiders worked out veteran long snapper Kyle Nelson this week. (Aaron Wilson)