The Broncos are playoff contenders and quarterback Bo Nix is a candidate for rookie of the year.
If there was any doubt about that before today, that doubt was put to rest when the Broncos went to Las Vegas and took care of business against the Raiders, winning 29-19 with Nix leading the way.
The Broncos are now 7-5, and while it’s unlikely they can catch the Chiefs in the AFC West, they have a good chance at a wild-card berth. Few expected that with a starting quarterback in Nix and a coach in Sean Payton just beginning what seemed like a lengthy rebuild. But Nix is playing fantastic football and Courtland Sutton has proven himself to be a top-tier No. 1 receiver. The Broncos are in great shape.
The Raiders are in no position to compete for anything other than the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. While wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was a bright spot today and defensive end Maxx Crosby played relentlessly like he always does, the Raiders look like one of the least talented teams in the NFL. Quarterback Gardner Minshew was subbed out late in the fourth quarter and replaced by Desmond Ridder, who promptly lost a fumble.
The loss drops the Raiders to 2-9 and raises big questions about their future, including whether Antonio Pierce is the right coach to get the Raiders back on track.
But the Broncos are certainly on the right track. This is the best team they’ve had in Denver in years.
