The Broncos are playoff contenders and quarterback Bo Nix is a Rookie of the Year candidate.
If there was any doubt about that before today, those doubts were erased 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 strong chance to clinch a wild-card berth. That’s something few expected from rookie quarterback Knicks and coach Sean Payton just beginning what looked like it could be a long rebuilding effort. But Nix is playing excellent football, and Courtland Sutton has emerged as the No. 1 top receiver. The Broncos are in great shape.
The Raiders are in no shape to compete for anything other than the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Although wide receiver Jakobi Meyers was a bright spot today and defensive end Maxx Crosby played as tirelessly as ever, the Raiders look like one of the least talented teams in the NFL . Quarterback Gardner Minshew was ejected late in the fourth quarter and replaced by Desmond Ridder, who immediately lost the 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.