ESPN NFL

What it means: It’s been a terrible two weeks for the Oakland Raiders, who skipped into December with a lead in the AFC West and on a three-game winning streak. This 46-16 debacle followed up a 34-14 loss at the Miami Dolphins last week. Neither of these two games was close. Now, Oakland is a game behind the 8-5 Denver Broncos with three games to go. Is it panic time? No, but panic is trying to kick in the doors in Oakland.

A long way to go: The 13-0 Packers showed Oakland how far it is from being the game’s elite. The Raiders simply couldn’t complete with Green Bay. The Packers led 31-0 at halftime. It was the Raiders’ worst halftime deficit in team history.

Palmer was dreadful: Oakland traded two premium picks to the Cincinnati Bengals for quarterback Carson Palmer in order for him to perform in games like this. He was terrible. After making strides in Oakland, Palmer has taken a step back and threw four interceptions Sunday. Palmer has thrown 13 interceptions and nine touchdown passes for the Raiders. He had one great game at San Diego, but otherwise has not looked like the difference-maker Oakland expected him to be.

Need the speed back: The Raiders were missing running backs Darren McFadden and Taiwan Jones and receivers Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore. Palmer needs to get that world-class speed back as soon as possible if Oakland is going to make a playoff run.

What’s next: The Raiders host the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Raiders are not out of this race -- a win over the Lions and a Denver home loss to the New England Patriots next week ties this baby back up. Oakland has to start playing better in all aspects.

A look at the San Diego Chargers' solid 37-10 win over the Buffalo Bills.

What it means: The Chargers won their second straight game after losing six in a row. San Diego is now 6-7 but is two games behind Denver with three games to go. The Chargers have outscored their past two opponents (they won at Jacksonville last week) 75-24. But it might be too late.

Too late for Turner and Smith: Coach Norv Turner probably has to find a way into the playoffs to save his job. General manager A.J. Smith is reportedly on the hot seat as well, but he likely has a better chance to stay in San Diego than Turner does.

Rivers is back: San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers continued to play well. He completed 24 of 33 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns. More importantly, Rivers has now gone three games without an interception. He threw 17 interceptions in the first 10 games of the season.

Smothering defense: San Diego had three interceptions and were all over Buffalo all game long.

What’s next: The Chargers have their final home game of the season in Week 15 when they host the tough Baltimore Ravens. San Diego has to find a way to beat the Ravens to keep its slim playoff hopes alive. Will the home fans come out for what may be Turner’s last hoorah in San Diego?

DENVER -- Another game that ended with Tim Tebow doing the Tebow.

What it means: One of the most amazing stories in the NFL just got more amazing. You think you’ve been overloaded on Tebow? This thing is just getting started. The Broncos just won their third overtime game and notched their fifth late win in Tebow’s eight starts as they downed the Chicago Bears 13-10. The Broncos are 7-1 with Tebow as their starter, have won six straight, and with their record at 8-5, have sole possession of first place in the AFC West with three games remaining.

Tebow magic: Tebow led Denver to 13 points after the Broncos went scoreless for the first 57 minutes and 45 seconds. Denver scored 10 points at the end of regulation and won the game in overtime.

Why too many drops: Tebow was 21-of-40 passing for 236 yards. Yes, he threw 40 times. Tebow also ran 12 times. He is quickly becoming more comfortable as a passer. Still, he needs help. Denver receivers dropped six passes. Demaryius Thomas dropped a sure touchdown on a nice, long bomb from Tebow.

Defense shines: The Bears had a nice stretch when they took a 10-0 lead, but Denver’s defense stiffened when it needed to. The Broncos held the Bears late (with some help from Marion Barber going out of bounds on a run play) in regulation. They also stripped Barber for a critical fumble in overtime with the Bears in Denver territory.

Hats off to Matt Prater: Denver’s kicker downed a 59-yard field goal with eight seconds to go in regulation to tie the score and then nailed a 51-yarder in overtime to win it.

Miller gets another sack: Denver rookie linebacker Von Miller now has 11.5 sacks on the season after taking down quarterback Caleb Hanie in the third quarter. Miller is three sacks away from Jevon Kearse’s NFL rookie record of 14.5 set in 1998. Miller missed last week’s game with a thumb injury.

What’s next: Denver plays host to New England in a game that the Broncos can make a playoff statement.

Some quick thoughts following the Kansas City Chiefs' 37-10 loss to the New York Jets.

What it means: The Chiefs are virtually out of the playoff discussion. They are now 5-8. After going 10-6 and winning the AFC West last year, Kansas City is now looking forward to 2012.

Another blowout: This was Kansas City’s fifth loss by at least 27 points this season. For those looking for Todd Haley to lose his job, that is ammunition. However, the undermanned Chiefs had been playing fairly tough in recent games.

Palko is just OK: In his fourth NFL start, Kansas City quarterback Tyler Palko completed 16 of 32 passes for 195 yards. He threw a late touchdown and he was intercepted once.

Defense slides: Kansas City's defense had been playing very well, but it had a tough time Sunday. The Jets ran the ball down the Chiefs’ throats with 159 yards on the ground.

What’s next: It does not get any easier. The Chiefs host Green Bay in Week 15. Kansas City has the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL.