Broncos @ Raiders
Final Score: Broncos 29, Raiders 19
Writer: Brett Ford (@FadeThatMan on Twitter)
Two teams trending in opposite directions met in Sin City on Sunday as the Las Vegas Raiders hosted the Denver Broncos in an AFC West matchup. Trailing at halftime, the Broncos turned the game over to their rookie quarterback and Bo Nix delivered, throwing for a pair of second half touchdowns and leading his team to four second half scoring drives as Denver earned a crucial divisional victory to remain in the catbird seat of the AFC Wild Card race. Meanwhile, the Raiders played multiple quarterbacks for sixth time this season as starter Gardner Minshew went down with a fourth quarter injury. It’s not getting any easier for the silver and black. Let’s dig in.
Three Up
- Courtland Sutton – The alpha receiver of this offense announced his dominance with a pair of scores on a team-high 10 targets.
- Bo Nix – It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. Nix brought his team back from what would have been a momentum-halting loss with a big second half.
- Jakobi Meyers – Able to pick up Bowers’ slack with 10 catches on 15 (!!) targets.
Two Down
- Brock Bowers – Despite 10 targets, Bowers was held to just four catches, his lightest fantasy output since Week 4.
- Denver RBs – Good luck figuring out who Sean Payton is going to hand the rock to.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Bo Nix: 25/42, 273 Yards, 2 TDs | 1 Carry, 5 Yards
Nix started slowly as the Broncos offense settled for three field goal drives in the first half and went into the break trailing, 13-9. In the second half, Nix came out and led his team to a pair of touchdowns, connecting with Courtland Sutton for both scores, and two more field goals to earn the comeback victory. With another solid performance, Nix solidified his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and helped the Broncos to a second-consecutive victory to improve to 7-5.
Running Back
Audric Estime: 3 Carries, 15 Yards
Javonte Williams: 8 Carries, -2 Yards | 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 6 Yards
Jaleel McLaughlin: 7 Carries, 44 Yards | 1 target
The fantasy community has acquired a new nemesis. Sean Payton, you have taken the place of Arthur Smith as Public Enemy Number One. Jaleel McLaughlin popped off the best Broncos run of the day with an 18-yard gain in the first half and earned five second-half carries, but it’s hard to say he had the hot hand. More like Javonte Williams had the cold hand, rushing for negative yardage on eight carries. Williams was the only running back to record a reception, but it didn’t make much difference as nobody had a day to remember in the Broncos’ backfield.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Courtland Sutton: 10 Targets, 8 Receptions, 97 Yards, 2 TDs
Sutton pulled in two touchdown catches, helping propel his team to a second half comeback win. The best catch of the day came on his first score, a twisting reception over a defensive back in the corner of the end zone to give the Broncos a 16-13 lead. He pulled in his second score on a crossing route, beating his defender to the back of the end zone and toe-tapping his way in for a score. Sutton continues to be a hidden gem in fantasy circles, ranking as a top-10 receiver in PPR formats.
Devaughn Vele: 9 Targets, 6 Receptions, 80 Yards
Devaughn Vele appears to be ascending in the pass-catchers depth chart as he continues to earn his quarterback’s (and his coach’s) trust. Vele earned a season-high nine targets and pulled in six catches for 80 yards. Vele was on the field for 44 offensive snaps, second among Broncos pass-catchers behind only Sutton. Vele just needs to get more work in the red zone for fantasy managers to really get excited about the rookie wideout.
Marvin Mims Jr.: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 44 Yards | 2 Carries, -2 Yards
Marvin Mims Jr. continues to serve as Payton’s gadget role this season and has been able to capitalize on making plays in space. On Sunday, Mims was on the field for just 14 snaps but was given seven opportunities. When he’s in the formation, there’s a high likelihood that he’s going to get the ball. His role continues to grow as the season plays out.
Troy Franklin: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 31 Yards
Lil’Jordan Humphrey: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 4 Yards
Adam Trautman: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Gardner Minshew: 25/42, 230 Yards, TD, INT | 2 Carries, 5 Yards, Fumble (Recovered)
Minshew did what he could to keep the Raiders afloat, and managed to work his team to a 13-9 lead at halftime. After halftime though, he opened with an interception overthrowing Meyers by 10 yards for the pick. Later in the second half, he was sacked and fractured his collarbone ending his game and his season. I’m not sure if the Raiders will be happier to move on from Minshew or if Minshew will be happier to move on from the Raiders.
Desmond Ridder: 5/10, 64 Yards | 1 Carry, 3 Yards, Fumble (Lost)
Another franchise has found out the hard way that he’s not a suitable starting quarterback.
Running Back
Sincere McCormick: 5 Carries, 33 Yards
Who? Yep. This is where we’re at in the Raiders’ season. With Alexander Mattison and Zamir White both out, we got solid production from a guy we’ve never heard of earning his first NFL carries. A Sincere congratulations to McCormick.
Ameer Abdullah: 8 Carries, 28 Yards | 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 37 Yards, TD
Ameer Abdullah was the starting running back for the Raiders in this one and excelled in the passing game as is typical for the third-down back. His touchdown came on a designed play where he was matched up with a linebacker and beat him to the pylon for a touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Brock Bowers: 10 Targets, 4 Receptions, 38 Yards
Bowers was heavily targeted again but managed just four catches in this one, his lowest fantasy output since Week 4. Bowers was on the field for nearly every offensive snap and is still an elite tight end option despite the down week.
Jakobi Meyers: 15 Targets, 10 Receptions, 121 Yards
Meyers was targeted a career-high 15 times pulling in 10 catches for 121 yards, proving that he is still a top option even with some of the league’s worst quarterback play. Since Davante Adams was traded to the Jets, Meyers has averaged 9.7 targets and 72 receiving yards per game with a 25.5% target share. He’s an underrated wide receiver option with excellent matchups the rest of the way.
Tre Tucker: 8 Targets, 7 Receptions, 82 Yards
Tre Tucker had one of his best career games with seven catches for 82 yards and had a touchdown catch nullified by replay officials. He has ascended the depth chart to WR2 and pass-catching option three behind Meyers and Bowers. Tucker was on the field for 69 offensive snaps, just a few behind the two Raider elites.
DJ Turner: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 5 Yards
Michael Mayer: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards