The Las Vegas Raiders look to jump-start their offense and get a signature win this season when they host their division rival Denver Broncos, who are looking to make a push to the postseason. This gives the Raiders another chance to ruin someone’s season, as Maxx Crosby stated was his goal, with the Raiders’ playoff hopes all but finished.
The Broncos have been one of the most surprising teams in the NFL this year, primarily powered by their defense. They rank third in the league in both yards and points allowed, so the Raiders will have to be very efficient in how they attack this defense and not try to force things, as the Broncos will make them pay for any mistakes.
Gardner Minshew is actually coming off his best performance of the year with a season-high 282 yards and two touchdowns against the Dolphins. Of course, his top target remains Brock Bowers, who had the best game of his young career with 13 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos’ defense is much more stout than that of Miami, however, so the Raiders badly need someone else to step up and take a little pressure off Bowers.
Ideally, this would be through the run game, but neither Alexander Mattison nor Zamir White have been able to get much of anything going, and doing so against the Broncos is a tall task.
Defensively is where the Raiders could make an impact and potentially steal this game, as the Denver offense is solid but lacks big-time playmakers. Rookie QB Bo Nix has improved as the season has gone on and does a good job of not turning the ball over. He also is a threat to run the ball so the Raiders will have to keep tabs on that as well, but the Broncos skill position players are only decent at best.
Courtland Sutton is a solid receiver but nowhere near the top echelon of pass catchers. The running back trio of Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime, again, is decent, but there is nothing to write home about. With Crosby always the threat to cause some havoc in the backfield, the chance for turnovers could be there, which this offense needs in order to get some points up against the Broncos defense.
This is a game that will have to be won with defense. If the offense can be solid and not turn over the ball, and the defense can come up with a couple of takeaways, the Raiders have the opportunity to steal a win and make a playoff run for their division rival much more difficult.
Denver Broncos (6-5) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-8)
1:05 p.m. PT, Sunday, November 24, 2024
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
