Broncos Lose to Raiders, Fall to 7-8

 The Broncos traveled to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders in a battle of 7-7 teams still hanging on to a playoff spot in the AFC. The Raiders outlasted the Broncos 17-13, and the Broncos are now 7-8 with a less than 1% chance to making the playoffs-which means it's pretty much over for the 2021 Denver Broncos. For the second straight week, the Broncos were in the game late, but their offense wasn't good enough to get them over the hump. It was another disappointing loss and it effectively ended the Broncos season. Here are my thoughts on the game....

1) The Broncos offense could not do anything against the Raiders defense. They could not run the ball at all, they couldn't protect Drew Lock, they were not good on third downs, and they made too many mistakes (penalties, dropped balls, poor execution). The play calling by Pat Shurmur wasn't good again, and I think they were afraid of Drew Lock making a mistake to be really aggressive. Their only TD was on a 1 yard run by Javonte Williams after a Bradley Chubb interception and return to the Raiders 1 yard line.

2) The Broncos defense did hold the Raiders to 17 points, but they got run all over by the Raiders rushing attack. The Raiders started the second half by running the ball down the Broncos throats, and gave them a 14-13 lead. Then, with the game on the line and the Raiders facing a 3rd down right before the two-minute warning, Denver's defense gave up a first down on a pass and that ended the game. The Broncos defense played well at times and forced three turnovers, but couldn't get the stop when they needed it.

3) The Broncos forced three turnovers, committed none, and still lost. Just incredible

4) Denver got swept by the Raiders this season, and both losses were to interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who took over for Jon Gruden after he was fired for emails in October. That just makes this even worse. They have lost four in a row to the Raiders.

5) Drew Lock was not great, but he wasn't the reason why the Broncos lost this game either. He didn't turn the ball over, and he didn't get any help from his receivers or offensive line. Lock is a backup at this point, and clearly not the guy in Denver going forward.

6) The Broncos are 7-8 and head to LA to take on the Chargers next week. It will take a miracle for the Broncos to make the playoffs-even if they win this week and in Week 18.