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Live updates
Pre-game updates
Scouting report (10:30 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Raiders in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 20, Raiders 13
It’s next to impossible to know what you’re going to get from the Denver offense at this point. Weather impacted last week’s outing, but Bo Nix and company weren’t exactly a juggernaut before that. But the defense has been solid and Vance Joseph’s group knows it will have to be good again this week. This eight-game losing streak has to an end at some point. The Broncos aren’t great, but at home, coming off two straight road wins and with Las Vegas as banged up as it is, there’s no reason Sean Payton’s team should lose this one.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 24, Raiders 13
The Broncos defense is legit and I expect the Raiders to be their next victim. Denver’s offense hasn’t been good but with better weather this week, expect Bo Nix to have his best performance as a rookie. The Broncos will snap their dreadful losing streak and go a game above .500. Denver will give its fanbase a reason for hope moving forward.
Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 18, Raiders 15
The last time the Broncos beat the Raiders “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X was the top song. It was 2019, and it only seems like streets were unpaved back then. The Raiders have won eight straight against Denver, only six shy of their longest streak of dominance (14 against Denver from 1965-71). The Broncos have a chance to make a statement. Coach Sean Payton needs to call a game that fits Bo Nix, while leaning on the run game. It will be hard on the eyes, but the Broncos escape with a late field goal from Wil Lutz.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 16, Raiders 14
Dang it, I believe in Vance Joseph. I believe in PS2. I believe that if Sam Darnold could get there, Bo Nix can get there, too. But two things keep bugging me. One, the Raiders might be the NFL’s most volatile stock in a volatile league — you never know what you’re gonna get. Two, Minshew Magic travels well. The Jorts King has a better career passer rating on the road (91.0) than at home (88.9) and a better TD-interception ratio (33-13 vs. 29-14), too. Still, the bet here is VJ is Minshew’s Voldemort, and the orange and blue pull ahead on a field goal late.
Broncos-Raiders NFL Week 5: Must-reads
As a fifth-grader playing high school football, Malcolm Roach was the life of the party. That’s still the case in Denver.
A 10-year-old Malcolm Roach stood on the sidelines in full pads as the chatter began building. It was the fourth quarter of a Southern Lab University School varsity football game in 2008, and the Kittens — coached by Malcom’s dad, Mike Roach — were up by more than 50. Bigger than most kids his age in Baton Rouge, La., Malcolm was certain he could hold his own against high school players — even as a fifth-grader. So did the rest of the team.
“Put him in for kickoff,” the players prodded.
Father turned toward his son, “Do you want to go in?” Malcolm’s response: “Yeah, I’m ready.” Malcolm ran onto the field with his heart racing. When the ball was kicked, he sped down the field and jumped into a pile.
From that moment on, nothing could stop Malcolm. An elementary school kid popping pads with players nearly twice his age, he didn’t relent. All these years later with the Broncos, the defensive lineman still plays with his hair on fire and carries the same vibrant personality that made him the life of the party at Southern Lab, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.
Renck: Under Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, destroying Raiders “was personal”
Those Broncos were Raiders of a Lost Art.
It is hard to believe, but there was a time when Denver treated the Raiders like a homecoming opponent. It began in 1995 when Mike Shanahan took over as the Broncos head coach. Stiffed $200,000 in severance pay by owner Al Davis, Shanahan did things to the Raiders you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.
In his first game, the Broncos blitzed the Raiders 27-0. Coincidence? Yeah, right, Troy Renck writes. Read the full column.
If Broncos are to surprise this fall, they must capitalize on an October full of opportunity
October is here and opportunity knocks for the Broncos.
They’re not the only team out there hoping to make a move in the coming weeks, of course. More than a third of the NFL enters Week 5 at 2-2. Only a very small handful of teams find themselves at the very end of the spectrum either way.
Denver head coach Sean Payton always feels this way about this part of the calendar in general. He likes to say the first month of the season is a race against yourself. From there, teams try to separate. So now it’s separation time, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
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