Raiders @ Broncos
Final Score: DEN 34 – LV 18
Writer: Raymi Chavez
It was a throwback Sunday in Denver as they celebrated the 1977 Denver Broncos team and we got a classic AFC West divisional rivalry. The Broncos had lost eight straight games to the Raiders dating back to 2019 and after a monster 57-yard touchdown by Brock Bowers, it seemed like we were in for more of the same. Then the whole game was turned on its head. Gardner Minshew was sharp completing his first eight attempts and the Raiders were threatening again on a first and goal from the six-yard line. Minshew proceeded to overthrow Bowers at the goal line. Patrick Surtain II got his hands on the ball and sprinted 102 yards down the sideline for a pick-6, which kick started the Denver Broncos with 34 unanswered points and a convincing win over their historic rivals.
Let’s dive into the numbers and see how they could impact you from a fantasy perspective.
Two Up
- Brock Bowers – Bowers had an absolute dud last week, and after a quick 57-yard touchdown to start the game, he ensured a bounce back. Minshew’s favorite target by far, Bowers is this team’s only fantasy bright spot.
- Javonte Williams – Javonte Williams has a strong grasp of the lead back role in Denver and was able to put up over 100 yards from scrimmage, had a handful of chunk plays, and was a pivotal part of the team’s offense.
Three Down
- Gardner Minshew – A hot start buoys his performance today, 12/17 doesn’t seem terrible, but two interceptions and the entire offense slowing to a literal halt after the first one led to a quarterback switch before the game was out of hand. I think he’ll be back next week, but this game was very concerning.
- Courtland Sutton – Bo Nix had a fine game, but Courtland Sutton barely produced. With seeing half the targets from the past two weeks and only hauling in 40% of them, Sutton is an inconsistent touchdown-dependent FLEX option at this rate.
Las Vegas Raiders
Quarterback
Garnder Minshew: 12/17, 137 Yards, 1 TD, 2 INT | 2 Carries, 22 Yards
Minshew got off to a hot start completing his first eight attempts including a 57-yard catch and run touchdown to Bowers. Then on the third drive of the game, Minshew threw a goal-line pick-6 to Surtain and the game flipped on its head. From then on, Minshew was 4/9 with another pick peppered in, and then the Raiders’ offense barely managed to gain two yards per play. Minshew was replaced, down 20-10, for Aidan O’Connell in an attempt to spark the offense with the defense keeping the Raiders in the game. Antonio Pierce refused to name his starter for next week, but I think Minshew will keep his spot. Regardless if you’re starting a Raider quarterback in fantasy, you won’t do well.
Aidan O’Connell: 10/20, 94 Yards, 1 INT
In a surprise, O’Connell was given an opportunity to spark the Raiders offense down 20-10. A three-and-out and another Surtain interception later and the game was 34-10 and over. O’Connell got to sling the ball around in an attempt to make a miracle comeback to little success and did not impress whatsoever. The Raiders quarterback situation is rocky, to say the least.
Running Back
Alexander Mattison: 15 Carries, 38 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 23 Yards
Pierce mentioned that Alexander Mattison deserved more touches after starting the season with productive touches on a week-to-week basis, and with Zamir White’s injury, he was handed a golden opportunity. He was underwhelming with one of his least productive games on a yards-per-carry basis this season. He was the clear lead back taking about 80% of the snaps until the game was out of hand. A two-point conversion led to him having a passable game and even if White comes back, he’s a passable streaming option.
Ameer Abdullah: 5 Carries, 42 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 9 Yards
Ameer Abdullah got the majority of his snaps once the game was in hand, not doing a lot with the passing downs he was in on and beyond a 40-yard run and a three-yard garbage time touchdown, his game would have been brutal. He’s worth a stream if White is out and you are in a dire situation.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Brock Bowers: 12 Targets, 8 Receptions, 97 Yards, TD
The focal point of the Raiders’ offense, Bowers looks to be a stud tight end for a long time. In a game where offense was difficult for the Raiders to find, Bowers was still able to be a fantasy star. A bonafide must-start TE1.
Jakobi Meyers: 9 Targets, 6 Receptions, 72 Yards
Jakobi Meyers seems to be the big beneficiary of Davante Adams’ lost snaps and with Adams’ inevitable trade, he’ll most likely be the team’s number-one wideout. Unfortunately, he plays for the Raiders whose quarterback situation is abysmal. A good streaming option and a borderline FLEX option.
Tre Tucker: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 18 Yards | 2 Carries, 8 Yards
Tre Tucker had high hopes with Adams not playing, but he was unfortunately underwhelming. The Raiders even threw him a couple of jet sweeps to get him the ball in open space, but he didn’t do much with them. Still a wait-and-see player.
DJ Turner: 4 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards | 1 Carry, 5 Yards
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Bo Nix: 19/27, 206 Yards, 2 TDs | 8 Carries, 9 Yards, TD
In probably Nix’s second-best game of his career, he had a bit of a tough start to the game but stayed consistent and made smart plays. He had a bomb thrown right into Troy Franklin’s lap in the endzone that was dropped. Nix is getting better every week and plays as a solid QB2 and a good streaming option. He even got into some heated conversations with Sean Payton on the sidelines which I think is a good thing. I still think he has the potential to be a Derek Carr-level quarterback in this league.
Running Back
Javonte Williams: 13 Carries, 61 Yards | 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 50 Yards
Williams was really solid, as good early-down runs led to shorter more manageable third downs throughout the game. Williams has a chokehold on the leadback role and figures to have a solid floor on a week-to-week basis. He provided some great pass protection so his snap share should continue to skew heavily in his favour. He is a solid RB2 and a good FLEX option.
Jaleel McLaughlin: 6 Carries, 22 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 3 Yards, TD
Jaleel McLaughlin continued to be super underwhelming. Before the season started I was on the Jaleel hype train, but he hasn’t been able to make the strides people had hoped for.
Michael Burton: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 5 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Courtland Sutton: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 32 Yards
Sutton really disappointed after two good games. Nix had a good game, but that good game was focused on spreading the ball around and taking his checkdowns, evidenced by Williams leading the team in targets. Sutton will most likely be a rollercoaster of a wide receiver with touchdowns really bolstering his production. He is the only wide receiver or tight end on the Broncos worthy of a roster spot.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 48 Yards
Lil’Jordan Humphrey only factored into the equation twice, but both of his receptions were 20+ yards.
Josh Reynolds: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 9 Yards, TD
Josh Reynolds had a fantastic toe-tap touchdown that sent the game into garbage time.
Troy Franklin: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 20 Yards
Franklin dropped a perfectly thrown deep ball in the endzone. He was wide open with no one around and it went right between his fingers.
Marvin Mims: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards | 1 Carry, 17 Yards
Adam Trautman: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 19 Yards
Nate Adkins: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
Lucas Krull: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 5 Yards