Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 24th 2024
Preview and Prediction
The Las Vegas Raiders will be seeking to put an end to their six-game losing streak this Sunday as they face off against the Denver Broncos.
The Raiders' downward spiral began with a 34-18 loss to the Broncos in Denver on October 6th, and they have yet to recover.
Las Vegas (2-8) has not been able to keep their losses within a touchdown, with the exception of a five-point defeat to the Los Angeles Rams on October 20th. In that game, they trailed 20-6 before making a comeback with three consecutive field goals, making the final score appear more competitive.
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On the other hand, the Broncos (6-5) have been a pleasant surprise this season.
Expectations were not high for rookie quarterback Bo Nix, but his recent performance has changed the outlook. Nix has thrown for 2,275 yards and 14 touchdowns so far this season. In the past two games, he has thrown for 522 yards and six touchdowns without any interceptions.
Broncos coach Sean Payton commented on Nix's progress, saying, "It's hard to pinpoint specific things that he's doing well. Our blocking has been solid and we have a good balance on offense. Your allies at the quarterback position are your defense, and Nix has shown improvement on third downs and in the red zone. He has definitely settled in and it's clear that he belongs here."
Nix's impressive performance earned him his first AFC Player of the Week award.
"It's a great honor and responsibility," Nix said. "But it doesn't end there. You have to continue to perform because they only remember your last game. I am grateful to be included among the great players who have won this award in the past, but there is still a lot of work to be done."
Meanwhile, Las Vegas' starting quarterback Gardner Minshew has not had the same success as Nix. Minshew has only thrown for eight touchdowns and nine interceptions, ranking 24th among starting quarterbacks with 1,783 passing yards this season.
The Raiders' running game has also been struggling, ranking last in the league with an average of 75.2 rushing yards per game.
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In addition to their on-field struggles, Las Vegas is also dealing with several injuries. Cornerback Jakorian Bennett sustained a shoulder injury during their 34-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins last Sunday.
Head coach Antonio Pierce acknowledged the team's bad luck with injuries, saying, "It's just one of those things that you have to accept. We've had some non-contact injuries and players getting rolled up on. In our game against the Cincinnati Bengals, we had six players with ankle injuries, which is unheard of. But no one is feeling sorry for us. We have to go out there with 11 players and compete on Sunday."
On Wednesday, Bennett, along with cornerbacks Jack Jones (back) and Nate Hobbs (ankle), running backs Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadricep), tight ends Harrison Bryant (ankle) and Justin Shorter (illness), and center Andre James (ankle) did not participate in practice.
For the Broncos, guard Ben Powers (shoulder) also did not practice on Wednesday.
Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders Recap NOV 15TH 2020
Josh Jacobs rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns and Jeff Heath intercepted two passes as the host Las Vegas Raiders forced five turnovers en route to their third straight victory, 37-12, over the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon.
It was the second 100-yard rushing game in the last three, and seventh in 22 career games for Jacobs. Las Vegas (6-3) closed to within two games of first-place Kansas City in the AFC West. The Raiders host the Chiefs, whom they defeated earlier this season, next Sunday night.
Carl Nassib and Scott Kwiatkoski also had interceptions for Las Vegas, which entered the contest with just three interceptions in eight games this season.
Derek Carr completed 16 of 25 passes for 154 yards, Daniel Carlson added three field goals and Devontae Booker added two fourth-quarter touchdown runs for the Raiders.
Drew Lock completed 23 of 47 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted four times for Denver (3-6). Brandon McManus booted two field goals.
Las Vegas took a 7-0 lead at the 9:44 mark of the first quarter on a 11-yard touchdown run by Jacobs capping a seven-play, 62-yard drive.
Denver cut it to 7-3 on its next possession on a 50-yard field goal by McManus, his sixth in seven tries this season from 50 yards or longer.
The Broncos closed to 7-6 on a 33-yard field goal by McManus before Carlson answered with a 24-yarder of his own.
Denver then appeared to go ahead just before halftime on a 5-yard run by Lock but tight end Noah Fant was flagged for holding. On the next play, Heath cut in front of Jerry Jeudy in the middle of the end zone to end the scoring threat.
Las Vegas increased its lead to 20-6, while holding Denver to just three offensive plays in the third quarter, on a 52-yard field goal by Carlson and a 5-yard touchdown run by Jacobs that capped a 11-play, 78-yard drive.
Carlson booted a 22-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter and Booker added a 7-yard touchdown run one play after Nevin Lawson forced and recovered a DaeSean Hamilton fumble to make it 30-6.
Hamilton scored on a 7-yard touchdown reception from Lock with 6:10 to go before Booker, who finished with 81 yards on 16 carries, ended the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown run.