The Denver Broncos are just about ready to take the field against the Las Vegas Raiders, looking to extend their red-hot streak to 10 straight wins. And while the win itself would be sweet, there’s more on the line than just momentum.
A victory today could give Denver a key tiebreaker over the New England Patriots-something that could loom large if both teams end up with the same final record. In a crowded AFC playoff picture, every edge matters, and the Broncos know it.
But they'll have to chase win No. 10 without a few key pieces.
Up front, the defensive line takes a hit with D.J. Jones ruled out due to an ankle injury.
That’s a significant absence for Denver’s interior defense-Jones has been a steady force in the trenches, anchoring the line with his power and gap discipline. In his place, veteran Malcolm Roach is expected to get the start.
Roach brings experience and a physical edge, but it’ll likely be a group effort to fill the void. Expect Eyioma Uwazurike and rookie Sai’vion Jones to rotate in and see increased snaps, especially on early downs where Jones typically thrives.
On offense, tight end Nate Adkins will miss his fifth straight game with a lingering knee issue. To bolster the position, the Broncos elevated veteran Marcedes Lewis to the active roster on Saturday.
Lewis, even at this stage of his career, still offers value as a blocker and red zone target. He’ll join Evan Engram and Adam Trautman in the tight end rotation.
That trio gives Denver a mix of blocking and receiving versatility, which could be key in helping the offense stay balanced against a Raiders defense that’s been inconsistent against the run and tight ends in coverage.
In the secondary, cornerback Reese Taylor is a healthy scratch this week. With strong depth at corner and the need for more bodies along the defensive front, the decision makes sense from a roster management standpoint. The Broncos are clearly prioritizing their defensive line rotation today, especially with Jones sidelined.
Outside linebacker Que Robinson will also be inactive, but that’s more about getting Jonah Elliss back into the mix. Elliss returns to the edge rotation behind Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto, giving Denver another burst of speed and energy off the edge-something they’ll need to keep pressure on the Raiders’ backfield.
Rounding out the inactives are defensive lineman Jordan Jackson and offensive tackle Geron Christian, who remain standard gameday scratches.
Kickoff is set for 2:05 p.m. MT, and while the Broncos are riding high, they’ll need to dig deep into their depth chart to keep the streak alive. The Raiders may be out of the playoff race, but divisional games are rarely easy-especially when the stakes are this high for Denver.