With five games left in the 2025 regular season, the Denver Broncos are sitting in a position most teams would envy. At 10-2, they’re not just in the thick of the AFC West title race-they’re firmly in the conversation for the AFC’s top playoff seed.
But with a tricky road matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on deck, every game from here on out matters. If Denver wants to keep its momentum rolling and notch win No. 11, a few key players will need to step up in a big way.
Let’s break down three Broncos who could play pivotal roles this weekend.
Malcolm Roach - Defensive Tackle
Denver’s defense has been one of the league’s most consistent forces this season. Under Vance Joseph’s guidance, the unit has played fast, physical, and, more often than not, smart. But last week’s showing against the Washington Commanders revealed a crack in the armor-specifically against the run.
The Broncos gave up nearly 150 yards on the ground, and a big reason for that was the limited availability of D.J. Jones, who logged just 19 snaps due to an ankle injury.
Jones hasn’t practiced much this week, and his status for Sunday remains uncertain. That means Malcolm Roach is going to have to shoulder a heavier load in the trenches.
Roach has been a steady presence on the interior, but this week, he’ll need to be more than just solid-he’ll need to be disruptive. The Raiders’ run game, led by Ashton Jeanty, has been sputtering lately, but this is the kind of matchup where a struggling back can find his footing if the defense doesn’t stay disciplined. Roach anchoring the middle and setting the tone up front will be critical if Denver wants to keep Las Vegas one-dimensional and force them to lean on their passing game.
RJ Harvey - Running Back
Rookie RJ Harvey has shown flashes of why the Broncos spent a second-round pick on him. Eight total touchdowns on the year is no small feat, and Sean Payton has clearly made an effort to get him involved in creative ways-both as a runner and a pass-catcher.
The potential is there. The explosiveness is real.
But consistency? That’s still a work in progress.
Since taking over for the injured J.K. Dobbins, Harvey’s had a few highlight-reel moments, but he’s also averaged under 3 yards per carry over the last two games.
That’s not going to cut it as the Broncos gear up for a playoff push. Denver needs more than just the occasional big play-they need a steady, reliable ground game to complement Bo Nix and the passing attack.
The good news? The Raiders’ run defense has been leaky of late.
If ever there was a week for Harvey to get back on track, this is it. He doesn’t need to go for 150 yards and two scores.
But if he can consistently hit the right holes, fall forward on contact, and keep the offense on schedule, it’ll go a long way toward controlling the tempo and wearing down Las Vegas over four quarters.
Evan Engram - Tight End
When the Broncos signed Evan Engram this past offseason, the vision was clear: add a dynamic, mismatch-creating tight end who could thrive in Sean Payton’s system. Think of the “Joker” role Payton has used in the past-a player who can line up anywhere and create havoc. That was supposed to be Engram.
So far, the results have been mixed. He’s had his moments, but they’ve been more sporadic than consistent.
That said, last week’s overtime win against Washington offered a glimpse of what Engram can be. His big catch-and-run helped spark the game-winning drive and served as a reminder of the kind of playmaker he is when everything clicks.
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi noted earlier this week that Engram made some key grabs in primetime, even after a few early drops. That kind of resilience matters. And with five games left, there’s still time for Engram to become a bigger part of the offensive identity.
If he and Bo Nix can build on their chemistry and string together a few more of those explosive plays, it could open up the entire offense. Against a Raiders defense that can be vulnerable in the middle of the field, Engram could be a real X-factor.
Bottom Line
The Broncos are in a great spot, but nothing is guaranteed in December football. Every snap, every decision, every player matters just a little bit more. If Malcolm Roach can clog up the middle, RJ Harvey can find some rhythm on the ground, and Evan Engram can emerge as the weapon Denver hoped he’d be, the Broncos will be well-positioned to secure win No. 11-and keep their eyes firmly on the bigger prize.