Roundup
Denver Broncos
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers
Tennessee Titans
Texans, Chargers hit Power Rankings bottom as Chiefs lose WR — AFC South and West roundup
No games on the schedule, but plenty of movement: the winless Texans and Chargers tumble in the Power Rankings as the 4-0 Chiefs lose receiver Tyquan Thornton for months.
By the PickALeague Newsroom · Published · Source: PickALeagueSummary written with AI assistance — how we workLire en français →
There were no games yesterday in the AFC South and West, but the news cycle still reshaped the conference picture: the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers tumbled in national Power Rankings, while the Kansas City Chiefs took a major hit at wide receiver.
Texans: 0-4 slide, Power Rankings drop, Tank Dell window opens
Still winless at 0-4 and sitting at the bottom of the AFC South, the Texans saw their struggles reflected in Pete Prisco’s Week 5 NFL Power Rankings, where Houston landed 26th. CBS Sports’ Week 4 breakdown also spotlighted a worrying Texans defense and a deepening crisis for the franchise. There is at least one encouraging development: Houston plans to open wideout Tank Dell’s 21-day practice window this week, a key step toward a potential return after his major knee injury in December 2024.
Chargers: 0-4, Rashawn Slater sidelined and offense sputtering
The Chargers, also 0-4 and at the bottom of the AFC West, fared even worse in Prisco’s rankings, dropping to 27th. Their rough start now gets harder with Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, leaving Los Angeles once again without its top blindside protector. Even as the offense continues to sputter and Justin Herbert’s struggles mount, head coach Jim Harbaugh is standing firmly behind offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Chiefs: perfect 4-0 start, severe setback for Tyquan Thornton
On top of the AFC West at 4-0, the Chiefs were dealt bad injury news. Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton will undergo surgery for a dislocated ankle and is expected to miss three to four months, though a late-season return remains possible. With the league’s new injured reserve rules increasingly shaping decisions, Kansas City is adjusting its roster plans as multiple players approach potential Week 5 returns.
Broncos bruised, Raiders in the mix, AFC South tight
The Denver Broncos, sitting at 2-2, are coming off a 24-14 loss to the 49ers in which Dre Greenlaw racked up 12 tackles and then called out his treatment under Sean Payton during his lone year in Denver. The Broncos at least dodged disaster, with corner Patrick Surtain and receiver Pat Bryant both believed to have only short-term ankle injuries. Elsewhere in the sector, the Las Vegas Raiders are firmly in the AFC West race at 3-1 behind the Chiefs, while the Jacksonville Jaguars lead the AFC South at 3-1 ahead of the Indianapolis Colts (2-2), Texans (0-4) and Tennessee Titans (0-4).