Versus: Raiders' second-year cornerback could play a pivotal role in Denver

Oct 02, 2024 at 04:19 PM

Levi Edwards

Digital Team Reporter

The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing for their second divisional game on the road, this time against the Denver Broncos.

Both teams ended up in the win column in Week 4, with the Silver and Black knocking off the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium and the Broncos grinding out a tough road win against the New York Jets. There's no question each team will be trying to build upon their gained momentum.

Here are three key matchups to follow in the Week 5 AFC West showdown.

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Raiders defense vs. Bo Nix

Through his first four NFL games, rookie quarterback Bo Nix is coming along for the Broncos.

After throwing two interceptions in each of the Broncos' two losses to start the season, the quarterback has seemingly settled in behind center. Nix is on a two-game winning streak with the Broncos, having thrown for 276 yards and a touchdown without a single turnover in that span. It's also worth noting the threat he poses with his feet, rushing for 110 yards and a team-leading two rushing touchdowns.

"He's such a great quarterback just because he knows the defenses so well," said Jackson Powers-Johnson, Nix's college teammate. "He's been in so many different offenses that he knows how to look at the game from every angle. I think that makes him such a deadly quarterback and it's just his tenacity and his will to win. He has this fire. ... I think he's a heck of a competitor."

Even with things trending upward for the Nix, he completed under 50 percent of his passes against the New York Jets in Week 4. Things won't get much easier for him either heading into a divisional rivalry game against the defensive mind of Patrick Graham.

Graham, currently in his third season as the Raiders defensive coordinator, has built a formidable defense that was one of the top ranked units in the league toward the end of last season. Despite missing Maxx Crosby against the Cleveland Browns last Sunday, the Raiders allowed only 16 points and sacked Deshaun Watson three times. A huge key to victory for Graham and the Raiders would be taking the rookie quarterback out of his comfort zone.

"He [doesn't] have [NFL] experience but he's an older guy so he's a smart QB," Jakorian Bennett said of Nix. "We're just going to go into this week like we do every week. We're going to try and figure out their weaknesses, their strengths, their tendencies and the coaches are going to cook up what they cook up. We've just got to go out there and make it happen."

Jakobi Meyers vs. Patrick Surtain II

Jakobi Meyers is currently tied with Davante Adams for the team lead in targets (27) and ranks among top three on the team in receptions (19) and receiving yards (201). He'll have the challenge of facing the Broncos star cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

The All-Pro cornerback hasn't see a high volume of passes coming in his direction this season but teams have found success against him. He's allowed a 71.4 completion percentage in coverage this season with a 108 passer rating allowed. Nevertheless, he still tied for the top spot on the Broncos in pass deflections (two) and hasn't missed a tackle this season.

"I'm excited for it," Meyers said of lining up against Surtain. "I think he's a really good player. He plays hard, he's efficient, but I love challenges and we're going see what it looks like when I get out there."

While Gardner Minshew II will have several weapons to turn to in Denver, Meyers will be one of his most reliable. If Surtain can successfully take Meyers out the equation, it could put a damper into the Raiders' offensive gameplan.

Jakorian Bennett vs. Cortland Sutton

While Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs are likely to see a few snaps across from Cortland Sutton, the Broncos' feature wideout, the best man to line up against him could be second-year cornerback Jakorian Bennett.

Through four games, Bennett has been productive lining up on the outside and at nickel cornerback. He hasn't allowed a touchdown in coverage with only 47 percent of passes completed against him. His five pass deflections are also a single-season career high. While the 5-foot-11 Bennett may be lacking some size against a 6-foot-4 Sutton, Bennett's speed and physicality would make for a tough matchup against the Broncos' leading receiver.

"I talked about it before, the guy just keeps improving each and every down," Antonio Pierce said of Bennett. "But when you can do it on money down, when it counts, or down in the red zone, or on fourth down, third down, two-minute, especially when we know where the ball is going. ... Great technique and credit to his position coaches for just working on that off to the side as much as we can and him just being focused and being detailed."

Sutton has led the Broncos in receiving yards for three of last five seasons, and that seems to be the pattern in 2024 as well. The seven-year veteran has been the most consistent offensive weapons for the Broncos, providing a security blanket for his rookie quarterback in the process. Sutton has been one of the more overlooked receivers in the game, possessing great size and length with the route running skills to attribute.

Throughout his career against the Raiders, Sutton has accumulated 45 receptions for 539 yards and four touchdowns.

"Big guys, physical, athletic," Bennett said of the Broncos' receiving corps. "It's going to be a good challenge but the coaches are going to give us the best gameplan. We're going to prepare the right way and just go do what we've got to do."

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Las Vegas Raiders tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (77) during practice at Intermountain Health Performance Center.