The 2-1 Denver Broncos have an opportunity to take control of their destiny and lead the AFC West with a win over the 0-3 Las Vegas Raiders Sunday. Although the Raiders may be winless, knocking them off at home will not be an easy task.
Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett on the Broncos-Raiders rivalry
"It's Great."
"It has been for a long time. It's part of the West and the West is the fastest way to get to the playoffs. There's definitely emphasis on that"
Head Coach Josh McDaniels reportedly had a closed-door meeting with owner Mark Davis following their disappointing loss to the Tennessee Titans. After an eventful offseason of signing David Carr to a three-year extension and stealing star wide receiver Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers. The Raider's season has not started as they expected, and McDaniels is on the verge of being on the HOT SEAT.
The Denver Broncos have had a frustrating but rewarding start; after fumbling their season opener to the Seattle Seahawks, the Broncos are on a two-game winning streak. Yes, offensively, Denver has looked mediocre, but defensively they are ahead of schedule.
Headed into Sunday, the Broncos are surprisingly 2.5 underdogs to the Raiders.
Even though the Raiders are winless, they are a team with their back against a wall, from being the only team in the NFL that hasn't won a game this season.
But, to avoid going 0-4 start for the first time since 2014 is a different beast. Talk about pressure!
But Josh McDaniels and the Raiders aren't the only team under surety and pressure. Broncos Nathaniel Hackett hasn't performed up to his potential, transitioning from Offensive Coordinator to Head Coach.
Hackett has had trouble calling plays and managing the games. As a result, he brought Jerry Rosbury to assist him in his first year as a head coach. Last week vs. the San Francisco 49ers, the offense struggled early, but for the first time this season, they managed to go 1/1 in the red zone, a significant improvement from week one and week two.
Now faced with their biggest season test, the Denver Broncos travel to Las Vegas to meet their divisional rivals. Broncos fans are eager to see their team get off to a great start. However, Denver's offensive line will need to protect Russell Wilson and give him time to throw the ball down the field for this to happen.
The Broncos bet their future on Wilson; now is the time for him to step up. Instead, he has continued to leave plays on the field. Directly four weeks in, that pattern must change.
Last Sunday, Wilson took advantage of his legs in the fourth and found an open Kendall Hinton for 27 yards and scrambled for 12 yards. Those key plays lead to the Broncos game-winning touchdown drive.
The 11-year NFL veteran doesn't look to run anymore. But, having a dual-threat quarterback is one of the most valuable positions in the league if Wilson can save some plays with his legs, the Broncos have a real chance at defeating the Raiders and stealing the #1 spot in the AFC West.
Defensively the Broncos will need to keep Derek Carr on his toes, don't let him get comfortable. Carr has a 4-0 record vs. the Broncos in the past two seasons. So far the Denver defense has lived up to its name as a no fly zone, limiting opponents to under 20 points.
Broncos Bradley Chubb on facing the Raiders
"I hate 'em, to be honest with you. I hate 'em," Chubb said. 'It's only a few teams in the league that I hate, and they're one of them, because every time we go there, I feel like it hasn't gone in our favor."