Game Preview: Broncos look for crucial win vs. Raiders as postseason race heats up

CAN DENVER LIMIT BROCK BOWERS AGAIN?

Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is among the league’s best playmakers, but Denver held him in check in a Week 10 win.

Bowers caught just one pass on three targets for 31 yards in the teams’ first meeting, and the Broncos found that success without Pat Surtain II in the lineup.

A year ago in Las Vegas, with Surtain covering Bowers for most of the afternoon, the talented tight end recorded four catches for 38 yards on 10 targets.

Bowers, though, has the potential to make big plays. He caught a 57-yard touchdown against the Broncos in Week 5 of last season, and he’s had a pair of multi-touchdown games in 2025. Despite being limited by injuries this season, the 2024 first-team All-Pro has caught 49 passes for 573 yards and five touchdowns in nine games.

“Their best player is Bowers, obviously, and the runner [Ashton Jeanty], so our main thing is to not let Bowers beat us in any capacity — first, second or third down,” Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph said. “That’s our first goal.”

If the Broncos can limit Bowers’ impact, it should go a long way toward earning an 11th win.

HOW DO LAS VEGAS’ NEW COORDINATORS IMPACT THE GAME?

Since the last time the Broncos and Raiders played, Las Vegas has made a pair of changes at the coordinator positions. Greg Olson now serves as the Raiders’ offensive coordinator, while Derius Swinton is leading the special teams unit.

“Some things are very similar and some things aren’t,” Joseph said of Olson’s offense after his first game last week. “… Every week is something new you have to adjust to. I’m just going to wait and see what he gives us and kind of adjust accordingly.”

Added Payton: “There’ll be some things they want to do differently. I’m sure they’ll want to run the ball more.”

The Raiders scored 14 points with 156 total yards in their first outing under Olson, and the Broncos will look to ensure Las Vegas doesn’t find more success. The league’s 31st-ranked scoring offense has allowed the second-most sacks, while also being tied for the second-most interceptions this season. Through 13 weeks, the Raiders have been held to 10 points or fewer on five occasions.

On special teams, the Broncos’ blocked punt helped win the game in Week 10. Special Teams Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach Darren Rizzi, though, also wants to see more from his unit.

“There are some noticeable differences on film the last few games,” Rizzi said of the Raiders. “He has the guys playing really, really hard, really fundamentally sound. … We didn’t play particularly well last time we played them. We had one really big play, the JL blocked punt, and that was a game changer. I think we have to be more consistent ourselves and be better this go-round.”

As the Broncos look to handle the uncertainty of facing new coordinators, the ability to adapt will be crucial.