How Denver matches up against Raiders, predictions
Las Vegas Raiders (7-eight) at Denver Broncos (5-ten), Sunday, 2:thirty p.m. MT, Empower Field at Mile Large, CBS, 850 AM, ninety four.1 FM, 103.5 FM
3 Factors to watch
1. Ending on a large observe. All year very long, the Broncos have asserted they are a better team than what they’ve shown most Sundays. So how about backing up that talk in the year finale towards the franchise’s archrival who, by the way, brutalized the Broncos in their first-ever vacation to Las Vegas in November? Drew Lock have to perform effectively to acquire momentum as the “franchise QB” into 2021, and that features the prime priority of taking treatment of the soccer. Vic Fangio wants a get around the hated Raiders to remind the fanbase the team continue to has coronary heart adhering to two straight disheartening losses.
2. Jerry Jeudy’s rebound. The rookie endured a nightmare video game previous week when he dropped five passes, like just one on a would-be touchdown and just one on a vertical route on the team’s remaining possession. Jeudy has ten drops on the 12 months general, and the fifteenth general decide on this 12 months was visibly dejected by his miscues in Los Angeles, throwing his helmet on the sideline and burying his head in his hands. Lock will undoubtedly be on the lookout Jeudy’s way a great deal compared to the Raiders — Jeudy had a job-large fifteen targets previous week — so the wideout wants to redeem himself.
3. Broncos swan music. Sunday could be the previous video game in orange and blue for a multitude of noteworthy Broncos. Defensive conclusion Shelby Harris, protection Justin Simmons and defensive conclusion DeMarcus Walker will all be unrestricted no cost brokers this offseason. Basic safety Kareem Jackson’s 2021 cap hit of $twelve,882,353 could make him expendable. And looking at from the sidelines, working again Phillip Lindsay (hurt reserve, limited no cost agent) and cornerback A.J. Bouye (suspended, no assured cash remaining on his contract) also could be accomplished in Denver.
Who has the edge?
When the Raiders run
Las Vegas ranks twelfth with a hundred and twenty.7 speeding yards for every video game behind Josh Jacobs, who wants 24 yards to history a second straight 1,000-lawn year. The fading Denver run D has regressed around the previous couple months and is 24th with 131.6 speeding yards authorized for every video game.
Edge: Raiders
When the Raiders go
Quarterback Derek Carr and the Raiders rank 10th with 257.2 passing yards for every video game and experience a depleted secondary with unproven cornerbacks in Michael Ojemudia, De’Vante Bausby and Parnell Motley. Motley took around for a benched Baubsy towards Los Angeles.
Edge: Raiders
When the Broncos run
Melvin Gordon (who wants 107 yards for 1,000) will again be named on to carry the load with Lindsay hurt. Gordon had seventy nine yards speeding previous week and was a first-50 percent spark, but Denver will want his presence for all four quarters towards a defense paced in tackling by within linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski.
Edge: Even
When the Broncos go
Lock’s interceptions (tied for an NFL-worst fifteen on the year), Jeudy’s stone hands, consistent cracks in go protection… If it’s not just one concern, it’s another that is hindered Denver’s aerial attack in 2020. The Raiders existing a stable probability for that unit to discover a rhythm, as Las Vegas ranks 25th with 259.2 passing yards authorized for every video game.
Edge: Broncos
Distinctive groups
Past week, Brandon McManus missed his first area goal from beneath forty yards in three several years, but he’s continue to about as dependable as kickers appear. The identical could be explained for Daniel Carlson, the Raiders’ kicker and Colorado Springs indigenous, who has connected on 32-of-34 area objectives this 12 months. Denver’s kickoff unit just can’t give up a large runback.
Edge: Even
Post predictions
Ryan O’Halloran, defeat author: Broncos 21, Raiders 13
Jerry Jeudy catches two touchdown passes as the Broncos finish with a get and possibly perform by themselves out of a prime-ten draft decide on.
Kyle Newman, defeat author: Raiders twenty, Broncos 17
Yet another disappointing 12 months finishes in a bitter defeat as Drew Lock throws two second-50 percent interceptions, and Derek Carr finds restricted-conclusion Darren Waller for the winning touchdown late in the fourth.
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 27, Raiders 24
No fans in the stands and no playoff implications. Does this video game make any difference? Heck, yeah. It is Raiders week.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 28, Raiders 24
Drew Lock’s marching orders? Straightforward: Examine down and hand off. The Raiduhs are surrendering 153.eight speeding yards for every video game around their previous five contests — and 5.1 yards for every carry.
