The Las Vegas Raiders might be out of the playoff race, but that doesn't mean they’re out of the fight. Sitting at 2-10 and officially eliminated from postseason contention, the Raiders welcome the Denver Broncos to Allegiant Stadium this week with one thing on their minds: playing spoiler.
And let’s be honest - there’s no better target than a division rival with something to lose.
Denver enters this matchup with a lot on the line. The Broncos are eyeing their first AFC West title in a decade, and according to ESPN Research, they’ve got an 86% chance to win the division.
A win bumps that up to 91%, but a loss drops it to 74%. That’s a significant swing - and the Raiders know it.
Back in Week 10, these two teams went toe-to-toe in a gritty Thursday night battle that ended 10-7 in favor of the Broncos. It was the kind of low-scoring slugfest that came down to a few key plays - and one key player who wasn’t used nearly enough.
That player? Brock Bowers.
The All-Pro tight end was targeted just three times in that game, hauling in one catch for 31 yards. For a guy with Bowers’ talent, that’s barely scratching the surface. And it’s worth noting: when the Raiders do get him involved, the offense looks completely different.
Just look at last week. Bowers caught four passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns - a strong outing by any measure.
But even then, he was only targeted four times, which tied for the second-fewest in a game in his career. Head coach Pete Carroll admitted afterward that the plan was to feed Bowers at least 10 targets, but constant pressure on quarterback Geno Smith from the Chargers' front disrupted that game plan.
Now the question becomes: can the Raiders finally unleash Bowers against a Broncos defense that’s been solid, but not invincible?
That answer likely hinges on the matchup with cornerback Pat Surtain II. The All-Pro defender is one of the league’s premier shutdown corners, and he’s had success against Bowers in the past.
In their previous meeting, Surtain lined up against Bowers on 15 snaps and allowed just one catch for nine yards on four targets. That’s elite-level coverage.
But there’s a wrinkle this time around. Surtain is still working his way back to full strength, and last week he showed signs of vulnerability.
Washington’s Terry McLaurin - returning from injury himself - caught seven passes for 96 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets when matched up with Surtain. That’s not the kind of stat line we’re used to seeing against him.
So while the challenge is real, the opportunity is there.
If the Raiders can find ways to get Bowers into space - whether that’s through motion, mismatches, or creative route combinations - they’ll give themselves a shot to move the ball against a Denver defense that’s been trending upward but isn’t bulletproof. And if Bowers starts cooking, don’t be surprised if the Raiders make things uncomfortable for a Broncos team that can’t afford a slip-up.
Las Vegas might not be playing for a playoff spot, but pride - and the chance to throw a wrench in a rival’s postseason plans - is more than enough motivation. Keep an eye on No.
- If he gets going, this game could get a lot more interesting than the records suggest.