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AFC West Notebook: Mathews recapturing lead role, Chiefs in the playoff picture

Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY Sports

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

Broncos defense leads comeback. The Broncos went down early to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, but a second-half charge led by the defense saw them complete the comeback and escape with a win.

Anderson seizing his opportunity. Finishing Sunday's game with a career-high 167 rushing yards and one touchdown, also adding 28 receiving yards, C.J. Anderson is making the most of his opportunity in the Broncos' backfield.

Thomas finds the end zone three times. Although he finished the game with only 87 yards receiving, Demaryius Thomas's three touchdowns helped the Broncos to victory.

San Diego Chargers

Mathews recapturing lead role. Running back Ryan Mathews is once again becoming the featured ball carrier in the Chargers' offense now that he's made his return from injury, and his dominant performance in Sunday's win over the Rams should only further that process.

Weddle calling defensive plays. Chargers safety Eric Weddle has taken on a job most teams have their middle linebacker handle, becoming the play caller on defense over the past two games.

Allen shakes off mistakes for big game. After a number of early miscues, wide receiver Keenan Allen rebounded nicely to play a key role in the Chargers' comeback victory.

Kansas City Chiefs

Can Avant help the offense? The Chiefs made a much-needed addition to a struggling wide receiver corps by signing Jason Avant over the weekend, and Arrowhead Pride examined what the veteran can bring to the offense.

Chiefs in the playoff picture. Despite a loss to the Oakland Raiders on Thursday night, the Chiefs remain right in the thick of the AFC playoff picture with five games to play. ESPN's Adam Teicher looked at what that means both this week and going forward.

Rematch with Manning looms. Ahead of the Chiefs' Week 13 rematch with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Star's Sam Mellinger looked at how they can come out on top this time around.

Oakland Raiders

Sparano doesn't name Murray the lead back. Latavius Murray enjoyed a breakout game in Thursday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs, but head coach Tony Sparano insisted the running back still needs to earn his reps in practice.

Carr standing out. Despite the Raiders' overall struggles, rookie quarterback Derek Carr has been a bright spot so far this season. The National Football Post's Greg Gabriel took a look at Carr's performance and compared him to the other quarterbacks drafted this spring.

Streater returns to practice. After missing the past eight games with a foot injury, wide receiver Rod Streater made his return to the practice field Monday. Having the third-year pro return to game action would certainly give the Raiders' offense a boost down the stretch.

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