FSM Essential Preview- Raiders vs Broncos - Week 17

FSM Essential Preview- Raiders vs Broncos – Week 17

Franchise Sports Media

Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) | Denver Broncos (5-10)

The saying goes, people will always remember the beginning and the end of the show. For The Raiders, that couldn’t be more true.

 

The Las Vegas Raiders season has been a complete 180. After starting the season with convincing victories over two playoff contenders in the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, the Raiders went from playoff hopefuls to playing for pride. 

After last Saturday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, there was a sense of disappointment within the team. They’re in the same position they have been for the past two years, playing their last game before watching the playoffs from the comforts of their own coaches.

And to add: This is now the third time that a Jon Gruden led team started 6-3 but failed to make the playoffs.

“Obviously, statistics are what they are. You can read about, and everybody is going to have their own opinion,” Raiders head coach Jon Gruden said. “We made some real strides in some areas, and we’ve not made some strides in some others. That’s pretty obvious, and we’ll address that at the end of the season.”

 

The Raiders last stop in the COVID-19 season, the Denver Broncos, who are having a worse season than the Raiders.

 

After being out on the COVID-19 reserve list, first-round draft pick Henry Ruggs III is slated to make his return, adding more power to the Raiders offense as Darren Waller and Nelson Agholor has been. Agholor has seen a rejuvenation in his career, quarterback Derek Carr compared his competitiveness to that of former teammate Michael Crabtree.

“He reminds me of Crabtree in the fact that they’re both very competitive,” Carr said. “So, I think early on once I saw the work ethic. I mean, that’s one thing. And then once I saw the talent level against good DBs, I was like, ‘Oh man, this is going to be good.’ I knew he was going to have a good year. I didn’t know how big of a year. Obviously, this is a career year for him. I am so thankful for him. I tell him all the time I love that man so much. I’m so happy for him. He bet on himself, you know? He came here, bet on himself, and it’s really worked out for him. I’m happy for him.”

Gruden adds that the team has been spreading the ball well.

“We’ve been doing a pretty good job of that,” Gruden said. “We’re targeting Nelson Agholor because those are our top two guys. And we’re targeting Josh Jacobs. Ruggs has got to practice, stay with us longer, and do more with his targets. When he does, he’ll see the ball more.” 

The last time the Raiders and Broncos squared up, it was the peak of their season. Vegas dominated Denver 37-12.

Melvin Gordon Jr. has been solid for the Broncos offense, with just being 107 yards from the 1,000-yard rush mark. Drew Lock threw four interceptions against the Raiders, but last week a solid performance and could have been better if rookie Jerry Jeudy had fewer drops.

Series history and Booker’s revenge

 

The traditional AFC West rivals have faced each other 122 times, with the Raiders holding the best record at 66-54-2.

The Silver and Black have had the momentum on their side in this rivalry, having won the last three of four contests.

In the last meeting, the Raiders outscored the Broncos 27-6 in the second half to roll to the 37-12 rout on Nov. 15. Devontae Booker, in his first game against his former team, scored two second-half touchdowns to put the game away. Booker had his best statistical day of the season against Denver, finishing with 16 carries for 81 yards and the pair of scores.

According to long time Las Vegas sports reporter Tony Cardasco, the Raiders currently are picking 18th in the 2021 NFL Draft, and they could move up to the 12th pick with a loss. Does a meaningless win mean more to the Raiders than picking 6 places higher?

Raiders vs Broncos                 Raiders vs Broncos                Raiders vs Broncos                 Raiders vs Broncos             Raiders vs Broncos                 Raiders vs Broncos                 Raiders vs Broncos                        

Jesus Cano – Franchise Sports Media

Twitter: @Juice_Cano

Join The Franchise on Social Media

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

 

Raiders vs Broncos