Jamaal Charles is having a career year, but he saved his most dynamic game for Week 15.
The Kansas City Chiefs running back, despite rushing for just 20 yards, piled up five touchdowns and 195 yards receiving in the Chiefs' 56-31 romp over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Charles' first TD came on the first offensive play of the game, a dump off from Alex Smith that was taken down the sideline for a 49-yard score. Charles found the end zone again midway through the first quarter, a similar play on third-and-19. Charles scampered for two more touchdown grabs (one for 71 yards) and added a one-yard plunge.
His 195 receiving yards are the third-most total by a running back since the NFL-AFL merger, per NFL Media research. NFL Media's own Marshall Faulk has the most with 204 yards against the Bears in 1999.
Charles bolstered his case for Offensive Player of the Year honors, and he surpassed New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham's league lead for total touchdowns with 18 (Graham has 14). Charles likely would have done more, but he was pulled in favor of Knile Davis with about 10 minutes remaining and the game out of hand.
- The Chiefs clinched a playoff spot with the win and remain alive in the race for the AFC West title, but their hopes are dim. They're tied with the Broncos for the division lead at 11-3, but Denver holds the tiebreaker with a season sweep. The Chiefs' final two games are home against the Colts and then on the road versus a suddenly dangerous Chargers squad. The Broncos have an easier two-game slate with road games against the hapless Texans and Raiders.
- The Chiefs' offense has been far more dynamic over the last month. The unit topped the 28-point mark for the fourth consecutive game and scored 35-plus points for the third time over that span. The 56 points the Chiefs hung on the Raiders is the most scored by any team this season, topping the Patriots' 55 against the Steelers in Week 9.
- The Raiders clearly haven't found the answer at quarterback. Matt McGloin showed flashes in the game, tossing two TDs, but his good moments were overshadowed by four ghastly interceptions. The undrafted rookie threw a plethora of telegraphed passes, including two INTs into the arms of safety Eric Berry (one was a pick six). McGloin exited the game with an eye injury after he was gouged late in the game. Terrelle Pryor replaced him and quickly threw a pick of his own.
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