The Denver Broncos may be facing a struggling Las Vegas Raiders team tomorrow, but don’t be fooled-this one matters. A lot.
Sure, on paper, it looks like a mismatch. The Raiders have been spinning their wheels for weeks, and Denver, riding momentum, should be able to handle business if they stay focused.
But this isn’t just another divisional game. It’s a pivotal step in the Broncos’ push for the AFC’s top seed-and the coveted first-round bye that comes with it.
Right now, the Broncos are locked in a tight race with the New England Patriots, who are sitting a half-game ahead thanks to a bye week. A Denver win tomorrow would even the standings and, more importantly, give the Broncos the inside track in a few key tiebreakers that could decide who sits atop the AFC come playoff time.
Let’s break that down.
First, a win over the Raiders would give Denver a season sweep of their division rival-something New England can’t say. In fact, the Patriots dropped their opener to the Raiders, a loss that looks more baffling by the week. That head-to-head comparison against common opponents could end up being the difference-maker if things stay tight down the stretch.
And speaking of tiebreakers, the Broncos and Patriots don’t play each other this season and are in separate divisions, so the next layer is conference record. Right now, both teams are 6-2 against AFC opponents, and each has four AFC matchups left on the schedule. That’s where things could get dicey.
Denver still has to navigate some tough waters, with games against the Chargers, Chiefs, and Jaguars looming. New England, meanwhile, has their own gauntlet to run, including matchups with the Bills and Ravens. There’s no easy path for either squad, which makes every win-and every tiebreaker-count that much more.
Another critical metric? Record against common opponents.
The list here includes the Raiders, Titans, Jets, Giants, and Bengals. If Denver handles business tomorrow, they’ll be 5-0 against that group.
New England can’t match that mark because of their loss to the Raiders. That could be a sneaky-important edge if things come down to the wire.
Yes, there are still plenty of scenarios in play-some of them complicated enough to make your head spin-but the core takeaway is clear: this is shaping up as a two-horse race between Denver and New England. And tomorrow’s game is a major checkpoint.
The Broncos nearly let one slip away against the Raiders earlier this season. They can’t afford to make that mistake again.
Not now. Not with the top seed within reach.
So while the matchup might not jump off the schedule, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Denver needs this one-not just to stay in the hunt, but to potentially control their own destiny in the AFC playoff picture.