ClutchPoints
The Denver Broncos (7-2) remain one of the hottest teams in the NFL, riding a six-game winning streak heading into Thursday Night Football against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-6). Denver’s defense is historically dominant, ranking first in the league with 40 sacks and boasting elite third-down defense and red zone efficiency. The Raiders, meanwhile, are struggling to find consistency, coming off a deflating overtime loss to Jacksonville despite producing a four-touchdown passing performance from Geno Smith the week prior. This Week 10 matchup at Empower Field at Mile High presents a classic David-versus-Goliath scenario, with Denver favored by 9.5 points. Let’s dive into three bold predictions that could define this TNF showdown.
Brock Bowers has emerged as the Raiders’ most reliable target, hauling in three touchdowns in Week 9 after missing three games due to injury. The All-Pro tight end returns to action against a Broncos secondary that has shown legitimate vulnerabilities when defending the pass-catching position at tight end. Denver’s pass rush, while elite, hasn’t been able to generate consistent coverage breakdowns downfield this season, creating opportunities for well-schemed passing plays targeting the middle of the field.
Geno Smith proved in Week 9 that he can distribute the football efficiently when given time in the pocket, particularly when connecting with Bowers on intermediate routes. The Broncos will likely commit heavy pass-rush resources upfront to disrupt Vegas’ offensive rhythm, but this aggressive approach could leave their secondary exposed on underneath routes where Bowers operates most effectively. Expect the Raiders’ coaching staff to scheme Bowers into space early and often, capitalizing on Denver’s potential overcommitment to generating sacks. The combination of Bowers’ elite receiving ability and the Broncos’ coverage vulnerabilities makes a monster performance from the tight end not just likely, but probable.
Ashton Jeanty has been an offensive bright spot for Las Vegas, averaging 94.6 scrimmage yards over his last five games with five total touchdowns during that stretch. However, the Broncos’ defense represents a different beast entirely. Denver has surrendered just 95.1 rushing yards per game and ranks among the league’s elite run defenses, with elite linebacker play and a commanding defensive line that consistently plugs gaps and maintains gap integrity.
The Raiders’ offensive line has struggled mightily with pass protection, permitting the fourth-most sacks in the NFL, which indicates fundamental blocking issues that will manifest both in the running game and passing attack. Denver’s aggressive front-seven approach will likely keep Jeanty locked in the backfield, forcing the Raiders to lean on Smith’s arm and limit their ability to sustain drives through clock management. Expect Jeanty to see a heavy workload early as the Raiders attempt to establish the run, but the Broncos’ elite defense will shut down running lanes and force Las Vegas into obvious passing situations. By halftime, the reality will set in that Denver’s defense is simply too strong...
