AFC West stock up, down: What Jimmy G gives the Raiders

The Raiders passing attack exceeded expectations, while the Chiefs receiving corps, Broncos kicker and Chargers defense flopped. Here's whose stock is trending up and down in the AFC West after Week 1.

Stock up

Jimmy Garoppolo, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback: In a 17-16 victory over Denver in his debut as a Raider, Jimmy G looked rock-solid. He threw for two touchdowns, completed 20-of-26 passes for 200 yards and posted an above-average 107.9 passer rating. Most importantly, he delivered in the fourth quarter, throwing a TD pass to Jakobi Meyers that gave the Raiders a one-point lead with 6:34 left. He also rushed for eight yards on a third-and-7 with less than two minutes left, helping secure the victory.

"The guys in the locker room know who they've got," Las Vegas head coach Josh McDaniels said in a postgame news conference. "I'm happy he's a Raider." 

Last season, the Raiders lost nine one-possession games. Garoppolo — who is 41-17 as a starter in 10 seasons — could reverse this trend.

Samaje Perine, Denver Broncos running back: Denver's signing of Perine to a two-year deal is one of its best offseason moves. Against the Raiders, the 27-year-old rushed for 41 yards on eight carries and added four receptions for a team-high 37 yards. Perine could form a 1-2 RB duo with Javonte Williams, giving balance to the offense and taking pressure off quarterback Russell Wilson.

Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers running back: Kelley is clearly benefitting from new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's scheme. In the loss to the Miami Dolphins, the fourth-year RB set a career high in rushing yards (91 on 16 attempts) and scored a touchdown. Kelley and star running back Austin Ekeler combined for 208 rushing yards. If Kelley breaks out, the Chargers could have one of the best RB duos in the league.

Stock down

Wil Lutz, Denver Broncos kicker: Lutz, who posted a career-low 74.2 field goal percentage in 2022, missed his first extra-point attempt and went wide right on a 55-yard field-goal attempt. 

"My job is to make points," the former All-Pro said following the loss to the Raiders, via the Associated Press. "And to lose the game by one point and I leave four points on the board, I didn't do my job." 

Kadarius Toney, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver: Without tight end Travis Kelce, Kansas City needed Toney, a former first-round pick, to become its top pass-catcher against Detroit. To say he struggled would be an understatement. On five targets, he only recorded one catch for five yards and had three drops. Per Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus, he registered the site's worst game grade (29.7) for a WR since 2018. 

Nonetheless, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes reiterated his confidence in the 24-year-old. 

"I have trust in KT," he said after the 21-20 loss. 

Despite the encouragement from the two-time league MVP, Kansas City should consider trading for a veteran wideout —  hello, Mike Evans —  especially if Toney's troubles linger.

Chargers defense: The Dolphins have one of the top offenses in the NFL, but that's not an excuse for a terrible showing from the Chargers defense. In the 36-34 loss, Los Angeles allowed 536 yards, the highest total in Week 1. Miami wideout Tyreek Hill recorded 11 receptions for 215 yards, the third-highest mark in Week 1 in league history. 

Defensive-minded head coach Brandon Staley must make massive changes or this unit is going to cost the Chargers more games and the HC his job.

"The Chargers finally have a running game but still can't stop the other team, which should make for plenty of entertaining games and another crushing finish to their season," Dylan Hernàdez of the Los Angeles Times wrote.