Raiders Fall to 2-11 After Another Tough Loss to Broncos: Breaking Down the Bright Spots and Breakdowns
The Las Vegas Raiders’ 2025 season continued its downward spiral in Week 14, falling to the Denver Broncos for the second time this year. This one wasn’t a thriller-it was a wire-to-wire loss where Denver controlled the tempo, and the Raiders never really found their footing. The 2-11 record now includes a seven-game losing streak, and while the scoreboard didn’t offer much hope, there were a few silver linings worth highlighting.
Let’s dive into the players and units who stood out-for better or worse-in the Raiders’ latest defeat.
Winners
Jack Bech - WR
If you’re looking for a reason to keep watching this team down the stretch, Jack Bech just gave you one. The rookie wideout turned in the most complete performance of his young career, catching all six of his targets for 50 yards.
These weren’t just empty catches either-he came up big on a fourth-down conversion and made several tough grabs in traffic. This is exactly the kind of development the Raiders hoped for when they brought him in.
Bech is starting to look like a real piece for the future.
Caleb Rogers - OL
Offensive linemen don’t often make headlines unless something goes wrong. So when a rookie lineman plays a full game and you barely notice him?
That’s usually a great sign. Caleb Rogers held down the right guard spot and did it with poise.
He didn’t allow a sack and was credited with just three pressures on 37 pass-blocking snaps, though some metrics had him at zero. Either way, it was a clean performance in a game where the offense struggled to find rhythm.
Rogers showed he can be part of the solution moving forward.
Jeremy Chinn - DB/LB
Jeremy Chinn continues to be a bright spot on a defense that’s been under siege all season. On Sunday, he filled up the stat sheet: 11 tackles (seven solo), a sack, two QB hits, and five run stops.
He also held his own in coverage, giving up just 22 yards on 41 snaps. Chinn’s versatility and physicality jump off the screen every week.
He’s one of the few defenders consistently making impact plays, and he’s playing like a cornerstone piece in what’s otherwise been a rough year for the Raiders’ defense.
Losers
Special Teams
Let’s not sugarcoat it-the special teams unit gave this game away. The Broncos’ punt return touchdown was the backbreaker, and it wasn’t just one missed tackle.
It was six, including a crucial whiff by Decamerion Richardson. That return flipped the field and the momentum, and the Raiders never recovered.
For a unit that was supposed to be improved, this was a major step backward.
Geno Smith - QB
It’s tough to critique a quarterback battling through injury, but Geno Smith’s first three quarters were hard to watch. He finished with just 116 passing yards and a touchdown, and he was sacked three times.
The bigger issue? He held the ball far too long, especially after the opening drive.
The offense stalled repeatedly, and Smith’s hesitancy was a big reason why. He’s shown flashes this season, but Sunday wasn’t one of them.
Patrick Graham - Defensive Coordinator
On paper, giving up 24 points should keep your team in the game. But the reality was much worse.
The Broncos controlled the ball, sustained long drives, and punted just once all afternoon. That kind of efficiency from the opposing offense points to a defense that couldn’t get off the field.
Denver dictated the pace, and Graham’s unit couldn’t generate the stops needed to swing momentum. It was a bend-don’t-break approach that eventually broke.
Greg Olson - Offensive Coordinator
The first drive was a thing of beauty-creative play-calling, smart reads, and a touchdown to cap it off. But after that?
Nothing. Once Denver adjusted, the Raiders’ offense sputtered, managing next to nothing outside of garbage-time yards when the Broncos dropped into a prevent defense.
Olson’s game plan started strong but faded fast, and the lack of in-game adjustments was glaring.
Devin White - LB
Nineteen tackles usually earns you praise, but in this case, it’s more of a red flag. Devin White was targeted 10 times in coverage and gave up 10 receptions for 63 yards.
That explains the inflated tackle count-he was often cleaning up plays after allowing completions. On top of that, he had multiple missed tackles, depending on the source.
White is a high-motor player, but his coverage liabilities continue to hurt the Raiders.
Offensive Line
While not the disaster it’s been in recent weeks, the offensive line still struggled. Four sacks allowed and just 40 rushing yards on 12 carries?
That’s not going to cut it. The run game never got going, and pass protection broke down too often.
Yes, Denver’s defensive front is legit, but the Raiders’ line needs to be better-period.
Ashton Jeanty - RB
It wasn’t for lack of effort, but Jeanty just couldn’t get going. He finished with 12 touches for 38 yards, and the offense never found ways to get him involved in space.
The rookie’s talent is clear, but when the blocking isn’t there and the offense is out of sync, it’s hard for any back to shine. This one’s not entirely on him, but it was a forgettable outing nonetheless.
Final Thoughts
At 2-11, the Raiders are deep into evaluation mode, whether they want to admit it or not. And while another loss to Denver stings, there were at least a few encouraging signs-young players like Jack Bech, Caleb Rogers, and Jeremy Chinn showing real growth. But the problems remain widespread, from inconsistent quarterback play to a defense that can’t get stops when it matters most.
With just a few games left, the focus now shifts to development and figuring out who deserves to be part of this team’s future. Because if Sunday proved anything, it’s that the current formula just isn’t working.