The Denver Broncos are rolling into Week 14 with momentum, confidence, and-for the first time in a long time-a clear shot at winning the AFC West. But even with the standings tipping heavily in their favor, Sean Payton’s squad can’t afford to take their foot off the gas.
Not now. Not with a tricky road trip to Las Vegas on deck, and not with playoff positioning hanging in the balance.
Yes, the Broncos are facing the 2-10 Raiders. Yes, on paper, this matchup looks like a mismatch.
But the last time these two teams met, Denver barely scraped by in a 10-7 slugfest that was anything but pretty. That game served as a reminder that division games rarely follow the script-especially when the rivalry runs deep and the stakes are high.
There’s more riding on this one than just bragging rights. A win would not only keep the Broncos on track for the division crown but could also give them a critical edge in the playoff tiebreaker picture, particularly over the New England Patriots. But beyond the standings and seeding scenarios, there’s something else Denver needs to figure out-and fast: the state of their running game.
Rookie RJ Harvey has been thrust into the spotlight, and last week he delivered a glimpse of what he might be capable of, scoring twice against Washington. His eight touchdowns lead all rookies this season, a bright spot in a backfield that’s been trying to find its identity since J.K.
Dobbins went down. That injury still looms large, and while Harvey has shown flashes, the Broncos’ ground game hasn’t exactly been punishing in recent weeks.
What’s interesting is that the Broncos didn’t make a move to bolster the position during their bye week. They reportedly made a push for Dameon Pierce, but he ended up landing with the Chiefs. That leaves Denver with Harvey as the lead back, supported by Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie-two young, undersized backs who haven’t yet proven they can shoulder a playoff-caliber load.
That’s where this game becomes more than just a chance to pick up another win. It’s an opportunity-maybe even a test-for Harvey to prove he can be the guy down the stretch.
The Raiders are giving up 110.8 rushing yards per game, a middle-of-the-pack number that suggests there’s room to work. But it’s also a defense that tends to play with an edge at home, especially in divisional matchups.
And while Harvey found the end zone twice last week, the underlying numbers weren’t great: 35 yards on 13 carries, continuing a trend of sub-three-yards-per-carry performances over the last month. That’s not going to cut it in January football, when games are won in the trenches and on the ground.
This week, the Broncos need to lean into the run game-not just to control the pace, but to get a real sense of what they have in Harvey. Can he be the workhorse when it matters most? Can he wear down a defense, pick up tough yards, and keep the offense balanced when the weather turns and the stakes rise?
If he can, Denver might just have enough in-house to make a serious postseason push. If not, the front office may need to pivot quickly and bring in a veteran presence to stabilize the backfield before the playoffs begin.
Either way, this game against the Raiders is more than just a tune-up. It’s a measuring stick-for Harvey, for the Broncos’ run game, and for how ready this team really is to take the next step.