RAIDERS VS BRONCOS

Broncos (2-1) at Raiders (0-3)

The AFC West rivals enter their first meeting of the year in similar situations. Both teams brought in new offensive-minded coaches (Josh Mcdaniels in Las Vegas and Nathaniel Hackett in Denver) and traded for superstar players (wide receiver Davante Adams for the Raiders and quarterback Russell Wilson for the Broncos) to anchor their units. But the transition hasn’t been as seamless as many expected. Denver is in the bottom half of the league for offense by any efficiency metric, but has won two games with defense and by making key plays at crucial moments. Las Vegas is around the league average on offense, but has folded in high-leverage situations, made too many mistakes and seen spotty defensive performances. The Raiders’ losses have each come by less than a touchdown, so they aren’t as bad as their record, but they’re running out of time to get on the right track.

CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS FILE (2021) Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) gets tackled during the fourth quarter of a 17-13 win against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 26, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium.