The Las Vegas Raiders gear up for their second annual matchup against divisional rival Denver Broncos this week.
Their previous Week 5 duel didn't go the Raiders' way, with Denver overcoming a 10-point first-quarter deficit to win 34-18. This time around for the Raiders, an emphasis will be placed on getting the ball into their top playmakers' hands and not letting their feet off the gas.
"We've just got to find a way in that second half to get over this hurdle of not finishing games," Head Coach Antonio Pierce said Monday. "Either not getting off the field, not finishing drives in the end zone, keeping the opponent off the field on third down. Not beating ourselves with mistakes and penalties at crucial moments in the game. ... But I think the other part about it, what I'm seeing from our players is I don't see anybody quitting.
"I don't see nobody quit in this building. I don't see no quit from our staff. I see everybody just trying to figure out ways and answers in a very fluid situation with injuries and everything else that's going on with our team this year."
Here are three matchups that could contribute to the Raiders breaking their six-game losing streak this Sunday.
Maxx Crosby vs. Mike McGlinchey
Maxx Crosby, to no surprise, continues to be a focal point for every opposing offensive line.
Through 11 weeks, Crosby remains at the top of ESPN's rankings for edge run stop win rate at 37 percent. He's also sits at sixth in the league rankings in edge pass rush win rate at 24 percent – all while continuing to battle through an ankle injury sustained in Week 2's victory against the Baltimore Ravens.
"I haven't seen anything like it as a coach," defensive line coach Rob Leonard said of Crosby's toughness. "Again, I talk about it all the time, you don't do that without a routine, a good support staff around him with his wife and the trainers here. He's elite. I've never seen anything like it."
"The Condor" leads the team in pressures (35) and 16 quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Additionally, he accounts for over 33 percent of the Raiders' team total sacks and nearly a quarter of the team's tackle for loss total. He's likely to line up against right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who's allowed the sixth lowest pressure rate among right tackles this season (7.0).
McGlinchey didn't play in the last two Raiders-Broncos games due to injuries, however, Crosby accounted for 1.0 sacks and two quarterback hits against McGlinchey in their Week 1 matchup in 2023.
Brock Bowers vs. Broncos secondary
Rookie tight end Brock Bowers caught a career-high 13 catches and 126 yards against the Miami Dolphins in Week 11.
Looking back at the film, a huge factor behind his success were the multiple ways he was lined up schematically. Scott Turner, in his first game as interim offensive coordinator, lined Bowers up at tight end, motioned him over to wide receiver and even lined him up in the backfield. All of this with the goal of giving the rookie as many one-on-one coverages as possible. Of Bowers' 126 receiving yards, 62 percent of them were yards after catch – a statistic he ranks seventh in the league in.
"I know he gifted he is running after the catch when he's got the ball in his hands," tight ends coach Luke Stekel said. "We had one against Denver the first time we played when he went up and took it off the roof and you found him in open space and he ran another 40 yards for a touchdown. So, one thing I'd like to see selfishly is just to see him get the ball with some open space around him, see what he can do with it."
With how many places Bowers is lined up on the field, it's nearly impossible to allot a specific assignment against him in coverage throughout the game. Therefore, look for the Broncos defense to use a variety of zone coverages to attempt to take him away. This will include cornerbacks Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss who have combined for 14 pass deflections and four interceptions in 2024, as well as linebacker Cody Barton who had an interception in the Broncos' Week 11 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Raiders rushing offense vs. Broncos rushing defense
As the Raiders keep looking for continuity in the ground game, the task may become more difficult with injuries.
Both Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadricep) went down with injuries against the Dolphins last Sunday, putting their availability in question for Week 12 as neither practiced Wednesday, per the injury report.
"Next man up mentality," Pierce said of the running back room. "Get some of these younger guys some reps, see how they do, and hopefully we get these guys back by the end of the week."
It also doesn't help that the Broncos rushing defense is allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game (98.6) with the third-highest expected points contributed by rushing defense (26.89) in the league.
If one or both of the Raiders' top running backs can't go Sunday, they'll rely heavily on Ameer Abdullah, who contributed with a receiving touchdown against the Dolphins. It's also possible that rookie Dylan Laube could see a few snaps as well as Sincere McCormick or newly-signed Chris Collier potentially activated from the practice squad.
"[I]f you remember last time we played Denver, Ameer had a really good game," Pierce said. "Had some big plays for us, some great opportunities in the passing game, in the running game, obviously special teams. But if he happens to be the lead back this week, we're going to feel really comfortable about him. I mean, he's an explosive player, he's a vet, he knows the system, very savvy. It's just making sure everybody's comfortable, especially up front in protection, being keyed in on that."
The Las Vegas Raiders and the United Way of Southern Nevada partnered together to pack 10,000 holiday meals for families around the valley.
Signage during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders volunteers prepare for the Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders counsel Lucas Paul helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior analyst of business analytics Aomori Allen helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders manger of premium service Samantha Sims and senior manager of premium service Anwaar Lacy help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders data engineer Adam Rockett helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders CRM analyst Chad Jones helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders director of marketing communications Nell Warkoski helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders inventory planner Ron Bradley helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Korey Toomer helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders executive director of the Raiders Foundation Kari Uyehara helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders executive director of the Raiders Foundation Kari Uyehara and Raider Image manager of e-commerce content Taryn Niederberger help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders director of business analytics Justin Barnes helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior director of game and event presentations Justin Casserly helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders coordinator of corporate partnerships Taylor Tufano and coordinator of Allegiant Stadium tours Nicole Venta help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
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Las Vegas Raiders store manager store manager helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders lead editor Steven Browning helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders director of FP&A Austin Septer and vice president of premium sales and service Panos Pappas help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior vice president Kristen Banks helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders manager of accounts payable Derek Person helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders manager of guest experience and operations Jessica Brady and Raider Image senior buyer Alexis Aguilar help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders director of creative services Cami Bennett helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders digital designer David Machuca helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders front office receptionist Tlyssa Leyva and senior director of corporate partnerships activation Dana Geary help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior manager suite service Cameron Stevens helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior manager of event operations Diman Starring helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders manager of corporate partnerships activation Vickie Guindon helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders supervisor of Allegiant Stadium tour operations Billy Naftaly helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders planning and inventory analyst Paris Walsh helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders director of marketing communications Nell Warkoski helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders digital content associate Carter Owen helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders manager of premium sales John Sklavos helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders manager of corporate partnerships activation Vickie Guindon and senior manager of sales operations Jaime LaFazia help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders coordinator of Allegiant Stadium tours Nicole Venta and graphic designer Christopher Piret help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior manager of premium service Thomas Bold and manager of community relations Shelby Hurd help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior director of corporate partnerships activation Dana Geary helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Raider Image buyer Marlene Moreno and Las Vegas Raiders senior director of human resources Beverly Shields help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders graphic designer Caroline Bufano helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders graphic designer Andrew Brass helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders alumnus Korey Toomer and manager of alumni and marketing relations Katie Flath help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders officer manager Dona Verner and vice president of premium sales and service Panos Pappas help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Raiderettes Lexie and Kylie help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
The winning team celebrates during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
The winning team celebrates during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
The winning team poses for a photo during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A United Way of Southern Nevada volunteer helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders director of historical content and preservation James Vega help pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
A United Way of Southern Nevada volunteer helps pack meals during the Las Vegas Raiders Holiday Meal Packing event at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
