One player from each AFC West team to watch in Week 13:
Denver Broncos, Matt Prater, kicker: Prater is one of the best kickers in the NFL, but he is in a mini-slump that is worth watching as the season progresses. Denver is heading toward the postseason and it needs its kicker to operate at a high level. Prater has missed four field goal attempts in the past three games, while making six. Is it a problem? Not yet, but it could become one.
Kansas City Chiefs, Jon Baldwin, receiver: Earlier this week, Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel said he thinks the Chiefs’ quarterbacks simply haven’t looked for Baldwin. He noted that Brady Quinn missed Baldwin on a potential touchdown Sunday against Denver. This means the quarterback may not have trust or confidence in Baldwin. This is a first-round pick in his second season. The light needs to come on soon.
Oakland Raiders, Michael Huff, cornerback: Give Huff a lot of credit. The safety turned cornerback because of an emergency seems to play his best against the best competition. He was excellent last week against Cincinnati’s A.J. Green and he was good earlier in the season against Falcons’ star Julio Jones. I won’t be surprised if Huff stays at cornerback next year.
San Diego Chargers, Kendall Reyes, defensive lineman: The second-round pick looks like a keeper. The Chargers have raved about Reyes since camp and he is really making a difference. He was terrific against Baltimore. The season is going the wrong way in San Diego, but this player seems like a star.