Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson
Maybe I'm getting soft here, but I am going to give out the AFC West player of the week award for the second straight week despite the fact that every AFC West team that played Sunday lost.
Like last week, when I recognized Chiefs quarterback Tyler Thigpen for his play in Kansas City's loss at the Jets, I am giving the nod to Chiefs rookie running back Jamaal Charles for his strong performance in the Chiefs' 30-27 overtime loss to visiting Tampa Bay. The Chiefs blew a 21-point lead in the game.
The loss wasn't Charles' fault. The third-round pick from Texas had 106 rushing yards on 18 carries. Charles was playing because of a season-ending knee injury suffered by Kolby Smith on Sunday. Starter Larry Johnson was inactive for the third straight game as punishment by the team for off-field issues. Johnson will serve a one-game NFL suspension next Sunday at San Diego.
Charles will have the chance to gain more yards against San Diego and improve upon his big game in the loss to the Buccaneers. Again, no winners in the AFC West, but Charles' play needed to be recognized.
By the way, we shouldn't this problem again next week. The Chiefs play at San Diego on Sunday so the division will have at least one winner in Week 10. Unless the Chiefs and Chargers tie, of course, and in this division, nothing strange is out of the question.
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Bill Williamson
Williamson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Denver Broncos for the Denver Post. He previously covered the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.