AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs

Broncos

• Per KUSA’s Mike Klis, Broncos GM John Elway said the plan is for both QBs Brandon Allen and second-round rookie QB Drew Lock to split reps at practice this week. 
• Denver will decide who will start on Sunday later this week. Broncos HC Vic Fangio said Lock would get about 75 percent of the practice reps this week: “I need to see him operate the offense, play his position well. All those things. I will (make the call) But I will talk to John and the coaches. I think he’s ready to advance in his reps.” (Troy Renck)
• Allen would back up Lock if the rookie starts ahead of undrafted rookie Brett Rypien. (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Allen appears to have taken a possible benching pragmatically: “When you don’t win games, it’s always hard (to keep starting spot and) obviously, he’s a second-round pick so they want to see what he can do. They’ll up his reps and give him a chance.” (Ryan O’Halloran)

Chargers

Chargers QB Philip Rivers has taken a lot of flak for the team’s poor performance the past two weeks given his issues with turnovers. However, Chargers LB Thomas Davis said the defense deserves part of the blame for Los Angeles’ disappointing 2019 record to this point. 

“Our record says we haven’t played well enough,” Davis said via the L.A. Times’ Jeff Miller. “That’s the ultimate thing that determines how we’ve played as a defense. The offense has put up enough points for us to be more successful. We just haven’t figured it out for four quarters. We’ve played extremely well at times, and other times we’ve been inconsistent. If we do a better job in certain situations, our record could be much, much better.”

• Chargers HC Anthony Lynn said he’s confident in Rivers being able to rebound before he has to be benched: “I don’t plan on having to make that decision.” (Daniel Popper)

Chiefs

• According to ESPN’s Adam Teicher, Chiefs DE Alex Okafor returned to practice Wednesday after missing the past several games with a high ankle sprain.