Who is the Guy?
Despite missing most of the season due to injury, Patrick Surtain II remains the league's premier defensive back, with a flawless game that serves as teaching tape for young players. The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year makes life miserable for receivers on the island, with his polished technique and coach-like instincts. With the All-Pro effectively shutting down one half of the field, Geno Smith must pick and choose how to attack the Broncos through the air.
Know His Name
Cortland Sutton is the big-bodied pass catcher the Broncos love to target in pivotal situations. Measuring 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, Sutton excels at winning 50-50 balls down the boundary. Moreover, he is an effective red zone weapon with 37 career touchdowns, including five this season. Given his impact as a point scorer, the Raiders must slow down the Broncos' extra-large WR1.
Don't Sleep On…
Bo Nix is the most clutch quarterback in the league this season. The third-year pro has six game-winning drives, including five fourth-quarter comebacks, displaying outstanding poise and precision under pressure. Additionally, Nix has the athleticism to make big plays on impromptu scrambles and improvisational plays outside the pocket. Considering his unwavering confidence and late-game playmaking ability, the Broncos' franchise quarterback is an underrated game-changer.
Under Pressure
Playing opposite Patrick Surtain has put a bull's eye on Riley Moss as the most vulnerable player in the Broncos' secondary. Though the third-year pro has held his own with 12 passes defensed in 14 games in 12 games, he has surrendered 41 receptions and has a 93.3 passer rating allowed when targeted. Given the option of throwing against an All-Pro or a midlevel starter, the Raiders should attack Moss early and often to see if they can produce a big play on his side.
Matchup to Watch
Brock Bowers vs. Broncos' secondary
The Broncos will attempt to neutralize the Raiders' top offensive weapon through various double-team tactics. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will mix and match his man coverage scheme to keep multiple defenders around Bowers at all times. While it is nearly impossible to contain No. 89, the Broncos have the manpower to neutralize the All-Pro on the perimeter.
Offensive Scheme
It has not been pretty, but the Broncos offense has just been enough to outscore their opponents. Whether relying on Bo Nix's late-game heroics or leaning on RJ Harvey to control the game as a dominant runner between the tackles, the Broncos can travel various paths to victory each week. Against the Raiders, Sean Payton could opt for a ball-control approach that blends downhill runs and high-percentage passes to move the chains and control the clock. With Nix also thriving when operating in an uptempo mode, the Broncos could give defensive coordinator Patrick Graham a few headaches when scouring his call sheet on game day.
Defensive Scheme
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will heat up opponents with a variety of blitzes and simulated pressures that keep quarterbacks guessing at every turn. With Nik Bonitto, Jonathan Cooper, and Zach Allen combining for 34 of the team's 51 sacks, the Raiders must prepare for a barrage of pressure tactics that create sack opportunities for one of the Broncos' designated playmakers. Considering the pass rush benefits from the sticky coverage provided by Patrick Surtain and Co., the Raiders could have a tough time moving the ball against one of the league's heavyweights.
Take a look inside Allegiant Stadium as the Raiders prepare for their Week 14 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
A view of Allegiant Stadium before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Denver Broncos.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The locker room prior to the Las Vegas Raiders' arrival for their regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (92) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Alex Cappa (65) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8), quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) and punter AJ Cole (6) arrive to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Atonio Mafi (56) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Terrell Edmunds (28) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Raheem Mostert (31) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV (99) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) arrives to the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett (15) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyler Lockett (17) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Fan signage around Allegiant Stadium before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Carter Runyon (46) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) and running back Ashton Jeanty (2) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tristin McCollum (27) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) and wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) exit the locker room before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) walks down the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders returners huddle in the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) exits the locker room before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) walks down the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) walks down the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tristin McCollum (27) and cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) walk down the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) walks down the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) walks down the tunnel before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (8) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders long snapper Jacob Bobenmoyer (50) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders defensive linemen huddle before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) and defensive end Tyree Wilson (9) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (22) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) warming up before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Fans before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) is awarded the nomination as the Raiders' Walter Payton Man of the Year Award before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) is introduced onto the field before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) is introduced onto the field before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) is introduced onto the field before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) is introduced onto the field before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) is introduced onto the field before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) is introduced onto the field before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) is introduced onto the field before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during the national anthem before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) during the national anthem before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) during the national anthem before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) during the national anthem before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Napoleon Kaufman lights the Al Davis Memorial Torch before the Las Vegas Raiders' regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
The Las Vegas Raiders during the coin toss before the regular season home game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium.
