Tag: Broncos

A quick catchup before facing Denver

I witnessed another ass whooping at SoFi last week. Didn’t even blog because I did not want to jinx it. It was a good time and a beautiful day, though. Raiders just never really kept it competitive. Even when it was close early, it did not feel like the Raiders were in reach.

Mind you, this came a week after the Raiders lost to the lowly Browns. Cleveland beat them with a rookie QB the Raiders passed on, to make matters worse.

Now, the voices for Pete Carroll’s job are even louder. I would hate to see a legendary coach like Pete leave after a year. I think it’s dumb to pay a fourth fired coach. But it’s hard to defend him considering he already fired two coordinators. And he brought in a lot of guys. To what? Not win a game in the AFC West? Nah, that is exactly why Pierce got fired.

That’s why the Raiders must win today. They must show grit. They need to beat the AFC West–leading Broncos.

Speaking of, the fact that the Broncos are leading the division is a joke. Up until this year, Denver hadn’t beaten Vegas. Now they are entering their third playoff run with a different core since the Raiders were last dominant?

Last time these teams played, it was a close game. Denver won by three in a game that was ultimately decided by special teams and clock management. Maxx Crosby didn’t get home, but Charles Snowden and Adam Butler did. Corner Kyu Blu Kelly got two interceptions after getting benched. Vegas needs another standout performance from their role players this week. They also need Crosby to get home.

This time, the Raiders are at home. They’ve got a shot if their offensive line doesn’t allow six sacks again. Denver applied pressure from a plethora of characters and blitzes.

Vegas also needs to run the ball better. Jeanty had 60 rushing yards on 19 attempts last time. You gotta get your o-line confident with run blocking when they are overmatched. Last week, Jeanty only got 30 rushing yards on 15 attempts. The week before he only had 50 against the Browns.

At least the passing game has shown some life the last two games. Against Denver, the Raiders only threw for 143 yards. Last week, Geno threw for 165, and the week before he threw for over 250.

This week Vegas needs a breakthrough on offense. Run the ball or pass the ball, just show some life and move the ball.

Defensively, Vegas caught the Broncos on a short week last time. Up until that point, they had shown to be a dynamic offense. Don’t let them go off in Vegas.

Ultimately, if Pete Carroll wants to keep his job, he has to get back to basics. Get these guys competing and just win. Capture that hope and excitement we had at the beginning of the year because playoffs are done this year.

For all the shit people talk about Raiders fans, I think most agree the Cowboys are worse. The Silver and Black needs to beat the Cowboys in Vegas or else we won’t hear the end of it until these teams play agin in a few years.

The Raiders damn near got another bye week since their last game. I don’t know how they stacked a Thursday Night and Monday Night back-to-back but the Raiders need the extra day to prepare.

Denver secured first place in the AFC West after beating the Raiders last welk. I don’t care how good the defense looks, you can’t win if you can’t score. 188 total yards of offense is embarrassing. Starters were out on the o-line but Vegas can never give up five sacks on the road in a rivalry game. The Raiders missed Jakobi Meyers consistency after trading him, even while Patrick Surtain II was out.

It wasn’t all bad. They got two picks and two sacks. The defense showed up against an offense that has been clicking in the first half of the season.

This week the Raiders take on the Dallas Cowboys fresh off two losses. Dallas got smacked by the Broncos and followed that up with a huge upset by Jacoby Brissett and the Arizona Cardinals. Dallas has a revamped defense built around Quinnen Williams. They also got some speed on thedge with Jadeveon Clowny, Donte Fowler, Sam Williams and Donovan Ezeiruaku.

The Cowboys also got a good secondary with Daron Bland and Trevon Diggs. They added Logan Wilson in the middle. The Raiders struggle to move the ball on air at this point.

Honestly, the Raiders just need to show life. Move the ball offensively, show some heart and catch a few sparks. Clearly even great defense isn’t enough this year.

Just Beat the Donkeys

The Raiders got embarrassed again by the Jaguars at home. This one wasn’t as bad as some of the other losses this year — at least the Raiders showed up and competed. The offense looked a lot better with Brock Bowers back. However, it came down to the last play. The Jaguars’ defensive tackle made a play, knocking down the Raiders’ two-point conversion.

Before everyone moves on to the Seattle Seahawks, we should acknowledge the play was there. Regardless, the Raiders wouldn’t have been in that situation if they had converted an extra point earlier in the game. The Raiders’ special teams have been the one constant over the last 20 years. At one point, Daniel Carlson looked like a franchise kicker. The past couple of years, he’s been more pedestrian. You can’t have that as a winning team, let alone a team trying to establish an identity and get their season right.

Luckily, the Raiders don’t have to wait long for a chance at redemption. They will take on their AFC rivals, the Denver Broncos, today. Yes, they are on short notice. Yet this is a team they know well. Vegas dominated the Broncos up until losing to them last year. A win here could give the Raiders some hope. They desperately need it, considering they’re winless in the division.

They will be without their No. 1 receiver, Jakobi Meyers, who they traded to the same Jaguars team that beat them. The Raiders will miss him, as he has been the most consistent receiver since he came to Vegas. He is a versatile guy who can fit in pretty much any offense. My question: Why did it take so long to trade him? If you were only going to get a fourth- or sixth-round pick, the Raiders should’ve made that trade at the beginning of the season or in the draft.

Luckily, the Broncos will be without their No. 1 corner, Pat Surtain. Denver still collectively has a great defense. The Raiders’ offense is going to need its best outing. Expect much of the same formula. The Raiders are going to rely on Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty in the passing game. They will try to make some big plays to Tre Tucker. They will try to get Michael Mayer going.

The real test for the offense will be keeping Geno from making mistakes. That starts with having great protection. The Raiders allowed a few sacks last week. This Broncos defensive line isn’t quite as athletic as Jacksonville, but collectively, they play more physical and tough. The Raiders need their offensive line to have a great game.

Defensively, the Raiders gave up too many points, but they didn’t play that bad. They didn’t give up many big plays and kept Brian Thomas under 100 yards receiving. They kept Travis Etienne under 100 yards rushing, despite him getting 22 carries. They forced an interception, and Maxx Crosby got a sack.

However, the Broncos offense is playing more dynamically than years past. Bo Nix is proving he can manage an offense. J.K. Dobbins is showing he has gas in the tank. RJ Harvey has had dynamic flashes. Courtland Sutton has somehow gotten better. Vegas has a much tougher test this week. They need to force a turnover, and they need to get consistent pressure from players other than Crosby.

At the end of the day, the Raiders just need to show some pride. Their record is what their record is, but we want to see them go out there and knock the piss out of the Donkeys.

Leave it all out there versus the Chiefs

There is not a lot to be grateful for this year as a Raiders fan. The Raiders came out and competed last week. They still came up short versus the Broncos. They lost their QB and their biggest plays came on special teams.

Regardless, they have nothing to lose this week versus the Chiefs. It is the best team versus the worst team. Aiden O’Connell is back.

I promise you, Antonio Pierce won’t keep his job if he goes winless in the AFC West. He has two more division games left and this one is on the road.

The Raiders need to pull out every trick play. They need some turnovers and bounces to go their way. We know they are going to force the ball to Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers. They need to find ways to run the ball and control the clock.

Vegas beat this team in Kansas City last year. That was a fifferent team no matter how much broadcast brings it up. They need to leave it out on the field to do it this year.

Recaping the Donkeys and Keys to Beating the Steelers

The Raiders got smoked last week and gave up their first lost to the Broncos since moving to Las Vegas. Denver pretty much controled the game the entire time. Now, they jump ahead of .500 and hold a valuable lead over the Raiders in the AFC West.

Gardner Minshew threw two interceptions. He got yanked for Aidan O’Connell. The Broncos defense looked elite with Riley Moss and Patrick Surtain both getting picks.

Brock Bowers was the most reliable target and caught a touchdown. Jakobi Meyers was by far the best receiver on the outside with Davante Adams out.

Reports indicate Adams could play for Vegas again as soon as his hamstring gets right. Either way, a trade probably still makes sense for both sides.

Otherwise, the Raiders did do so much on the ground. Ameer Abdullah popped off for some bursts but Alexander Mattison was largely ineffective as the starting runner.

Maxx Crosby ended up playing and registered two sacks. Christian Wilkins also got his first solo sack of the year. Unfortunately, Wilkins is now hurt and slated to miss the year. That’s a huge loss given all the money they spent on him in the offseason. He really helped the whole defense. Now, John Jenkins and Adam Butler need to step up again. Vegas needs Tyree Wilson to develop ASAP as well.

Regardless, Bo Nix still played one of his best games as a pro. Nix threw two TDs, over 200 yards and only had 8 incompletions. The Raiders needed to capitalize on a Nix mistake but it never came. Denver also got over 100 scrimmage yards from Javonte Williams. He averaged nearly 5 yards-per-carry on the ground too.

Now, they play a tough Pittsburgh team off two tight losses. The Steelers narrowly lost to the Dallas Cowboys last week. Rico Dowdle popped off for 87 rushing yards while Dak Prescott threw for over 300 passing yards. It really could have gotten uglier if the Steelers did not get two interceptions and a couple of sacks.

Offensively, Justin Fields was again the team’s biggest playmaker. Najee Harris barely averaged three yards-per-carry. Fields rushed for 27 yards and threw two touchdowns, despite only throwing for 131 yards. Look for him to try and find George Pickens early and often. Pickens was held to just three catches last week.

The previous week, Pickens caught 7 balls for 113 yards. Fields put up over 50 rushing yards and 300 passing yards. He added three total touchdowns in that one-score loss too. That is still the kind of performance they want from them versus the Raider.

Otherwise, the Raiders have been a mixed bag at home. One week they looked great versus the Browns and the other week they got smacked by the Panthers. It is still unclear who this team is given how much drama and injuries have impacted the team.

A win over an old-school rival could help the Raiders steady the ship at 3-3. A loss here could also bury either team’s Wild Card hopes in a loaded AFC. Remember, Vegas lost in Pittsburgh last year. That ended up making a huge difference at the end of the year. Jimmy G, never recovered and the coaching staff never recovered from some bad calls.

Ultimately, the Raiders are tasked with both applying pressure to Fields and keeping contain. That will be harder without Wilkins pushing the pocket.

Pickens and Calvin Austin will challenge the Raiders’ speed outside. Both teams struggle to make big plays. The Raiders defense must play discipline and not give up anything easy. A turnover from either team could also be the difference.

The Raiders defense get s back Divine Deablo this week. He should help them defend the backfield against Harris. Harris might not be elite but he is big and strong. The Bay Area native loves going after a team he watched growing up.

These games are also always really close. Expect both teams to try and establish the run. Whatever unit can control the clock, will control the game. A big running play always means momentum in a physical game like this. An effective running game could keep the Raiders out of unmanageable third downs. That is a big key considering the struggles the team has at QB.

Again, if the Raiders can run the ball and play stout defense they have a shot. Big plays and/or turnovers will be the difference maker for both teams. The Raiders have a shot if they can establish their identity and fhe running game. Otherwise, they’re looking at falling to 2-4 with no QB and franchise receiver that wants out.

In some ways, this game could be our Super Bowl. Just Win Baby!

Here We Go Again + Keys to Beating the Broncos

Another year, another star player going scorched earth. Yes, the Raiders pulled out an impressive home victory after looking dead in the water. And Davante Adams reportedly wants a trade.

At this point, Raiders fans should be numb to dysfunction. This ain’t quite Randy Moss, Amari Cooper or Antonio Brown. It is dissapointing to hear Adamas wants out after he said he would retire in the Silver and Black.

Still, Raiders fans have to be realistic. Was this team really going to win a Super Bowl with Adams? Not with what they have at QB. Therefore, trading Adams makes sense. The Raiders proved this week they can win without him. Trading him feels even more right if the Raiders can get a first round pick. That is more than Stefon Diggs got traded for. Obviously, that ends the nice home narrative.

Trading Adams for more than a second round pick feels like an unlikely scenario though. Adams wants a trade to the Saints or Jets. He wants to play with his old QBs. However, neither of those teams really need a receiver. Dallas makes sense but their season seems to be going a different direction. Pittsburgh might also make a call, but their QB situation is only slightly better than the Raiders.

Head coach Antonio Pierce proved he didn’t lose the locker room yet. This drama is a red flag, considering Adams was in Pierce’s corner. More players could easily turn on Pierce if the losses keep coming.

Last week, the team found a way to make enough plays versus the Browns. Cleveland could’ve easily won that game but they didn’t. Alexander Mattison was really the ex-factor as he popped off some big runs. He will get the start with Zach Moss out. Mattison struggled as the starter in Minnesota last year. He may hurt against a tough Denver defense if the offense can’t stretch the field. The Broncos allowed the 12th most rushing yards this season.

Gardner Minshew needs to be more effective this week. He only completed 14 passes for 130 yards. Minshew threw no interceptions or touchdowns. He has to step his game up with Adams out for another game. Brock Bowers only caught a couple of passes. He needs a better week too. Denver allowed the third least passing yards this year.

The Raiders’ offensive line forfeited two sacks to Myles Garrett. That is expected with the injuries they had at tackle. Kolton Miller should be back this week, even if Thayer Munford is out. The pass rush should improve this week since the Broncos don’t have an elite rusher like Garrett.

Otherwise, we saw Brock Bowers get a rush attempt last week. Let’s see the Raiders sprinkle in some trickery with Tre Tucker and Jakobi Meyers. If the offense struggles to get them the ball downfield, try to get them the ball with some blockers in front.

Overall, this week should feature a defensive battle. Denver is off a win where they threw for less than 100 yards. They did find Courtland Sutton for a TD reception. His size could give the Raiders problems.

Vegas also needs to stop the run. Last week, both Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams averaged over 4.5 yards-per-carry. Ideally, they offer a blend of power and explosiveness. They combined for 123 rushing yards against a stout Jets defense.

The Raiders manufactured pass rush last week. Janarius Robinson and Christian Wilkins split a sack. Charles Snowden and Isaiah Pola-Mao got home too. Vegas needs similar contributions across the board this week.

Safety Trevon Moehrig came up big with an interception last week. It was one of Watson’s only mistakes in the entire game. The Raiders need more plays from their DBs this week. They also don’t want to make it easy with any blown coverages. Vegas almost gave up a huge passing play to Amari Cooper.

Denver fields a young QB who doesn’t take a lot of chances. The Raiders need to stay discipline rushing the passer. Apply pressure but don’t force Bo Nix into 8 rush attempts like they did Watson.

We will find out who the Raiders are this week. Will this offense find a spark with Adams out? Can Mattison claim the starting RB role with White out? Do they trade Adams or find a way to work it out? Are the Raiders the team that edged out the Ravens and Browns? Or are they the team that got outclassed by the Panthers and Chargers?

The Raiders need to establish the run and find ways to spread the ball around to a variety of play makers. They will need to nickel and dime this stingy Denver Defense. Corner Patrick Surtain has an edge on every Raiders receiver, with Adams out.

Defensively, the Raiders will again need to get creative to generate pass rush. Crosby leaves a crater on the defense, but Tyree Wilson needs to step up. Robinson and Snowden are great stories but we can only rely on them so much. Wilkins needs to dominate against the run and pass. All the Raiders need to tackle well against a slippery Denver backfield. Vegas needs to play physical versus an equally desperate AFC West rival.

A win here steadies the Raiders against all these distractions. Losing sets them back more in the standings and they lose leverage with Adams. They have a tough stretch of schedule before their bye week in a month.

Ultimately, the Raiders need to establish their identity against the Broncos. Denver has yet to beat the Vegas Raiders. There is no need to start now.

Ending the Season on a High Note

The Raiders had a lot to play for last week. Put it on the refs or whatever. Either way, the team lost and their playoffs hopes went down the drain too.

Indianapolis is a tough team with a good mix of youth and talent. They went through their own adversity this year but still found themselves in the playoff hunt until last night.

Vegas didn’t get the same production out of Zamir White in the run game. Give some credit to the Colts’ front seven. DeForesr Buckner was a problem versus the run and pass. The Silver and Black did get the ball to Davante Adams. They also spread it around to Jakobi Meyers and Zamir White. Both had five plus catches.

The Raiders won the time possession but didn’t force a turnover. They also got only one sack. None of the edges got home.

That has to change versus a familiar foe. Vegas began their season with a close win over the Broncos. Now, they play Denver at home with former Raiders QB Jared Stidham making the start. Denver benched Russell Wilson for financial reasons, which may also land them in court. That’s another story. Either way, Vegas needs to get pressure on the QB and force him into mistakes.

The Silver and Black will also be tested against the run. Javonte Williams hasn’t been great this year in terms of yards or touchdowns. However, he’s a big back who can break tackles and catch the ball out of the backfield. Vegas can’t let him end the year with a breakout game, especially since they’ll be without starting receiver Courtland Sutton again.

Ultimately, the Broncos secondary offers household names with Justin Simmons and Pat Surtain. Adams is not going to have the same kind of game. They’re also banged up at tackle with Thayer Munford out as well as Kolton Miller and Jermaine Eluemunor battling injuries all season. Therefore, it’s going to be on Zamir White to make some plays as he is expected to start for Josh Jacobs again. This is White’s audition for the starting role next year. A big game here makes it tough to keep Jacobs or sign another starter in the backfield.

Speaking of auditions, Antonio Pierce is still trying to earn his keep. Reports say the Raiders let their assistants look for new jobs. That may or may not indicate Pierce returns. Either way, it feels like they will go through a bigger higher if process rather than just giving it to Pierce.

John Harbaugh and yes Jon Gruden are the other names. Harbaugh will be the hottest name on the market given his standing with Michigan. If he brings home a title in spite of an earlier suspension, an NFL team will definitely give him a king’s ransom. Gruden should be done and never coach again given his lack of success in his second stint and those emails. I get he is a friend of Mark Davis but that doesn’t mean he deserves to be on a sideline right now. If anything keep him as an advisor.

Win or lose, Pierce has proven he is a leader of men. Many Raiders legends have bought into him given how he has the defense inspired. The whole team is playing with swagger. It’s hard to bet against him given how he beat the Chargers and Chiefs. It’s also hard to just give him the keys given how they lost to Indianapolis and Minnesota in crucial spots.

Current players have also gone on record saying they want Pierce. Unfortunately, that only means so much since many players might not even be around next year. That’s like asking students if they want to keep their favorite substitute. Pierce deserves credit for steadying the ship when the Raiders needed it most. However, he has to sell the organization that he can hire the right offensive staff, develop a quarterback and build an identity over the next 3-10 years.

Pierce will definitely be coveted for defensive coordinator jobs and college football head coaching gigs even if the Raiders don’t hire him. However, he has to close this year out with a big win over the Donkeys to make him the favorite. It’s hard to not hire him if the key players like Adams and Crosby continue to play well, despite nothing but pride and their head coach’s future to play for.

In the end, the Raiders need to run the ball and stop the run. A high scoring out will be surprising given the strength of these defenses and the lack of elite quarterback play. Therefore, the team that can commit the most big plays and force the most turnovers should secure the win. Vegas needs their defense to get more than one sack and force a turnover. They can’t let the Broncos get their first win in Vegas, nor can they finish below them in the AFC West standings. Regardless, the Raiders need to Just Win Baby!

Plus, I’m in Vegas and going to Allegiant for the first time. I really want to see a win but I’m talking shit no matter what.

Gratitude and keys to beating the Seahawks

Raiders fans don’t have a lot to be thankful for this year, given their overall record and playoff prospects.

Nonetheless, they should be thankful for the Broncos. Not only did the Raiders sweep the Broncos for the third year, but Denver is the only team more underwhelming than the Raiders.

Denver leveraged picks for a quarterback formerly known as Russell Wilson. These days Wilson looks far from the franchise guy he was in Seattle. The Broncos also traded a budding defensive star to the Dolphins before the trade deadlin. Thank God for those Donkeys.

Raider Nation should also be grateful for Maxx Crosby. The Raiders defensive player looks like one of the best players at his position this year. Previously, he ran cold in big moments or team run games would wear him down. Now, he’s converting those pressures and hurries into sacks. Crosby is playing more discipline versus the run and finding ways to impact games in big moments. Look at that blocked field goal and all the deflected passes.

Josh Jacobs and DaVante Adams are the other reasons for gratitude this offseason. Jacobs has also taken another step. He is running harder than we have ever seen. Jacobs is being more strategic with the hits he takes too. Unfortunately, the Raiders lead runner is in a contract year and his days in Vegas may be numbered. Even more reason to appreciate him the rest of this season.

Meanwhile, Adams is by far the best receiver the Silver and Black have seen. Like Crosby, Adams is also under contract for more than this season. We have to be thankful to have these two alpha players on our roster.

Onward to the Seahawks

This an old school AFC West rivalry. The Seahawks were suppossed to take steps back this year but legendary coach Pete Carroll has this team playing well. Shoutout to former Raiders Shelby Harris, Bruce Irvin, Quinton Jefferson, Tanner Muse and Gabe Jackson on the Seahawks roster.

Seattle is young and led by Geno Smith but don’t let that fool you. They bring size and speed outside. The Seahawks are ranked right behind the Raiders in passing yards this year. Seattle is 16th in rushing yards. Kenneth Walker is shifty enough to give the Raiders some problems out of the backfield.

Vegas must play discipline. Don’t give up any big penalties. Do their best to limit big plays down the field from Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. All of that is easier to do if the Raiders offense controls the clock and stays on the field. The Vegas defense wears down after so many three-and-outs or series beginning with bad field position. Hopefully, Nate Hobbs is back to lend some help in the secondary too.

The Raiders still rank in the bottom for sacks and interceptions. Seattle has young offensive tackles and an athletic interior offensive line. Vegas needs to keep their d-line rotation tight. Chandler Jones needs to get a sack and impact this game.

Clelin Ferrell is on the d-line during some of the Raiders best plays. Even if he doesn’t get home, he helps setup his teammates. Also hoping Jerry Tillery can start taking some snaps from Bilal Nichols. Nichols is a decent pass rusher but not great against the run. Overall, the Raiders defensive line needs to use their size and length to stalemate their blockers and free up the Raiders LB for tackles.

Defensively, Seattle is 14th in sacks with 27 for the year. They’re 20th in picks with only 7 for the year. Seattle’s defense also allows the 13th most passing yards but the 25th most rushing yards.

Vegas must exploit the Seahawks run defense early and often. Derek Carr is a much better quarterback when he doesn’t have to force things on third and long. None of the Seahawks corners should matchup with Davante Adams. That means the Raiders must take what they want on offense.

Vegas gets Kolton Miller back after he missed last week. Miller’s presence was missed on pass downs especially. They will need him versus the speed the Seahawks bring off the edge.

If the Raiders offense can put together drives that will take some pressure of the Vegas defense. A few weeks ago, Tampa Bay limited the Seahawks run game and ended their four game win streak. The pressure will be on the Raiders defense to stop the run, limit big plays and get after the quarterback.

Unfortunately, we have yet to see the Raiders offense and defense get in sync. Every game it seems like one makes plays when the other does not, then vice versa. They can’t afford that against a young and well coached team playing for a playoff spot in a loaded NFC. Seattle finds ways to hang in games. The Seahawks make just enough wins to pull out close games and shootouts.

This is a winnable game for the Raiders but they have to execute over four quarters. Something they have yet to do versus anyone besides the Broncos.

Putting together a road win over the Seahawks should give this team an ounce of hope. They have yet to show the can put together consecutive wins. Doing that versus a playoff contender should give the team something to build on towards more victories. That should also help Josh McDaniels build some mojo. Just Win Baby!

Raiders Midseason Update and How to Beat the Donkeys

The Raiders once again found a way to lose with a lead in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis played witg more urgency despite having a new coach and a slew of injuries.

Raider Nation again finds itself crossing their fingers for a Christmas Miracle of winning out. Vegas fell even further from having a postseason or even a winning season.

Even worse, Raiders fans got to hear the entire national media share takes on Derek Carr’s tears and rallying cry. We get Derek Carr loves the Raiders and wants to win. However, we’re tired of seeing him answer the same questions with the same response. It does not take an NFL Insider to tell you this team looks lost and divided.

Vegas also got reminded that it can’t afford to hit restart on Josh McDaniels because their ownership is cash broke. They’re still paying the last guys. No wonder the Magic Johnson rumors were heard this season.

This might not be the worst Raiders team we have seen but it is the most discouraging. How does this team have a top-10 left tackle, pass rusher, running back, receiver and tight end but still can’t get out the mud?

You can read about how the Raiders o-line and d-line have faired this season via my FPC columns this week. Ultimately, they kind of just lost their battles to an Indianapolis team that focused on keeping things sinple. The. Colts just executed better, especially in key spots

Vegas moves on to play the Denver Broncos. The Raiders already beat the Donkeys this season. Denver is having an equally bad season but somehow stands over the Raiders in the standings.

Again, Vegas needs to execute. Show they are the better team again. Believe in each other and the coaching staff. Will their way to a win over a division foe with the same sort of baggage this season.

The Raiders need to run the ball early and often. They have to find ways to get Davante Adams the ball. Both will be more difficult with Kolton Miller inactive. At least, they won’t have to worry about Bradley Chubb who was traded earlier this season.

Vegas needs to find a way to create some turnovers versus the Broncos. They also need to rush the passer. Vegas might have a tough time with Denver’s size and speed outside. An improved pass rush will help. They also need to stop the run. Denzel Perryman back should help that. Clelin Ferrell should get another look after being a healthy scratch last week.

Vegas also signed Jerry Tillery after the Chargers waived him. Tillery brings some size and versatility upfront. Hopefully, he can latch onto the other starting tackle spot besides Billings. The Raiders could use his strength and length to pushthe pocket.

Either way, the Raiders keys for beating the Broncos remain the same as every game this season. They need to prove they can execute on all sides of the ball for four quarters. Something they have not done all season.

The buddy ball also gots to stop. Vegas needs to play the best players. No more veteran scholarships.

Give Raiders fans a performance they can watch and cheer for with pride. Play Raiders football by getting home to the QB and taking what they want on offense. Period.

Raiders vs Broncos: Trench Teachings from Win

A victory is a victory and the Raiders desperately needed one. It helps to beat a division foe they hate like the Broncos too.

Vegas rushed for over 200 yards with the trio of Josh Jacobs, Derek Carr and Zamir White. However, they were far from perfect. The offensive line gave up two sacks and a couple of crucial penalties.

The defense held the Broncos under 100 yards rushing and they did not give up a 100-yard receiver. They finished the day with three sacks, including two for Maxx Crosby. Vegas also walked away with their first defensive TD since 2019, despite having significant injuries in the secondary. Shout out to Amik Robertson for the scoop and score. However, Broncos QB Russell Wilson was still efficient completing 17-of-25 passes for two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

The game came down to the final series so the defensive TD was really the difference. Jacobs also helped the Raiders keep their lead.

Here’s more questions and lessons from the Raiders’ first victory this season.

Is Kolton Miller elite?

This is the question Raiders fans asked themselves the day Kolton Miller was selected in the first round. Since, he’s been a consistent on the left side. However, he’s yet to make the jump into the elite tackle conversation with zero All-Pros.

Miller faced tougher edges with more tools and he looked closer to his poor Week One performance versus the Chargers, than his last two games. Versus the Broncos, Miller killed the Raiders with a big penalty and gave up more pressures than any other game.

He can dominate good and solid players but the elite players get to him in the pass. Millers always been better at pass blocking than the the run game.

This week Miller faces a combination of Frank Clark, rookie George Karlaftis and Carlos Dunlap at defensive end. Kansas City is top-10 in sacks, although some of it comes from a blitz. Chiefs DT Chris Jones disrupts the interior consistently, which makes every players’ job easy. Miller needs to dominate whoever lines up on him. They need hm to be an anchor again.

Ferrell keeps improving

Clelin Ferrell hasn’t lived up to his bill as a No. 4 pick. Most people had questions he ever would, including myself. He’s said all the right things, which has made it easier to root for him.

Ferrell looks as good as ever in spots. He still makes mistakes but he deserves credit for improving and playing hard. It won’t show up in the stat sheet but his stunts helped setup Crosby. He also has one more tackle than Chandler Jones in less playing time.

Someone needs to help Crosby on the other side. It might just be Ferrell. Vegas should stop dropping him and Jones, neither look fluid or comfortable in coverage.

Parham adjusting

Rookie guard Dylan Parham moved back to his natural position at guard with Andre James back in the lineup. Parham had his best game yet at right guard. He was solid in pass pro and his quick feet really helped in the run game.

Parham still has some technique to improve but he’s ranked as one of the top players at his position by PFF. The rookie still needs to add some strength and do better with biltz pickup. He’s played all along the interior line and gets better every week. The strength and refinment will come but you can’t ask for more out of a mid-round pick.

Vegas still needs to solidify the left guard and right tackle spot but Parham gives them some hope next to James. Perhaps the Raiders should experiment with James at left guard, Parham at center and Jermaine Eluemundor at right guard. James is bigger than Parham and slates in better at guard. That scenario would require signing a healthy and competent right tackle, which is something the Raiders have not done.

James looks rusty

Speaking of James, his return made a huge difference with the run game this week. Not only is he an upgrade at center but he gives them a boost with Parham moving back to guard. James was far from perfect but he helped the Raiders on their double teams and in blitz pickup. The Raiders really missed him and this week they will need to him even more facing a tough interior presence like Jones.

James should continue to improve as he gets back into rhythm. Two weeks away from regular practice and game action threw him off. Not to mention, the Raiders offensive line around him keeps getting reshuffled. Hopefully, this group is that much closer to play as a cohesive unit with James back in the lineup.

Big plays made the difference

Amik Robertson stepped up and made a play that captured the game. Denzel Perryman made his presence felt throughout. Perryman can flow and fill much better than the other Raiders linebackers, especially when the big defensive tackles are in there eating up space. They will miss him if he does not play again and the Raiders also need to put Robertson on the field more.

The Raiders have defensive ends who can get to the quarterback and defensive tackles who can eat blocks. None of that matters if guys don’t cover and make tackles. Vegas’ defensive line can plays better when they have a lead. Players around them must make plays too.

Josh Jacobs ran hard in the last three games, but this time he finally got some blocking. He was able to find seems, lanes, alleys and the outside. Jacobs played hard all year and it was only a matter of time until he had a breakout game. Credit to the offense line getting a little bit more healthy but Jacobs deserves the bulk of the praise because he ran this hard all season.

Still Waiting

Every week we find ourselves asking the same questions. Can someone besides Crosby get to the quarterback? The Raiders are waiting for the same guys to step up on both the offensive and defensive lines. Right now, it appears they’re rolling with experience over youth.

Ferrell, Jones and Andrew Billings did a better job but Crosby could still use more help. Vegas got some help from their linebackers and DBs but they need more off the edge. They also can’t let Mahomes move around and scramble like they did Wilson.

Can this offensive line figure it out? The offensive line needs help at left guard. I still don’t really know where John Simpson is but he looked way better than Alex Bars. No disrespect to Bars but he’s a converted guard who has never been more than a spot starter. Bars’ base gets narrow, his pads get high, his feet get stopped and his hands aren’t elite. He can hold his own as a pass blocker. However, he can beat by speed and explosive hands. Jones could be a tough matchup for him.

Simpson is much better in the run game and getting up to the second level. Bars is bigger but Simpson is younger. Simpson looked better than any of his other seasons. Either way, someone needs to step up and solidify the guard position between Miller and James.

They need a secondary pass rusher who can stay on the field all three downs. Vegas is getting closer to figuring out their offensive line shuffle but they still have two key positions they need to iron out.

Headed into the bye week, some changes could be made if guys don’t step up and make plays. The answer to the Raiders questions might not walk through that door. If they get exposed versus a good Chiefs team maybe the organization will finally seek change from outside the locker room. Maybe they will finally use some of that cap space to sign a veteran tackle, guard, pass rusher or defensive tackle.