AFC West Notebook: Gates the 2nd-best ever? Woodson says Raiders 'suck'
Every Monday and Friday, theScore's NFL editors will bring you a roundup of everything you need to know from around the division with the AFC West Notebook.
Denver Broncos
Anderson carving out a role. Peyton Manning specifically mentioned backup running back C.J. Anderson as a player who performed well in the Broncos' win over the Chiefs. Anderson has a 6.0 yards-per-carry average on 16 rushes this season. He may have moved ahead of Ronnie Hillman on the depth chart.
Seeking revenge. The Broncos won't have much time to celebrate Sunday's win over the Chiefs. A trip to Seattle for a grudge match with the Super Bowl champions looms large on the schedule. "They think they have the pedigree, they talked noise all offseason," wide receiver Andre Caldwell told USA TODAY Sports. "That's what we've been waiting for."
Ban Simms? Broncos fans started a petition to get Phil Simms banned from broadcasting Denver games.
Kansas City Chiefs
Charles escapes major injury. X-rays on Jamaal Charles' injured ankle came back negative. The current expectation is he'll miss a few weeks.
Santos on shaky ground? Rookie kicker Cairo Santos had a second straight uneven week, missing a 37-yard field goal attempt.
Kelce becoming a big factor. Second-year tight end Travis Kelce is emerging as one of the Chiefs' premier weapons on offense, but he's still playing less than half of the team's snaps on offense.
San Diego Chargers
Gates second-best tight end ever? Analytics website FiveThirtyEight.com makes the case that Antonio Gates trails only Tony Gonzalez in the all-time tight end rankings.
Mathews to miss 4-5 weeks. Running back Ryan Mathews was diagnosed with an MCL sprain and is expected to miss four-to-five weeks. It's a brutal blow for a player in his contract season, especially one who has overcome as many previous injuries as Mathews.
Brown to carry load. In Mathews' absence, Donald Brown is expected to serve as the team's primary early-down running back, with Danny Woodhead remaining in a change-of-pace role.
Oakland Raiders
"We suck." That's what veteran safety Charles Woodson said of the Raiders after an embarrassing home blowout loss to the NFL's worst team a season ago. Is Woodson the only one willing to accept accountability?
Ugly turnovers. The Raiders followed up their turnover-free performance in Week 1 by giving the ball away four times vs. the Texans. But hey, at least they're still the least-penalized team in the NFL, right?
Long road trip ahead. The Raiders will travel to New England for a meeting with the Patriots next week, then to old England for a "home game" against the Dolphins. They won't be back in Oakland for a month.