Are the Denver Broncos ready to gamble their season in Las Vegas?

Going into Week 10 of the NFL season, the Denver Broncos find themselves on the cusp of falling off the deep end of the playoff pool.

The Denver Broncos sit at 3-5 on the season after an uninspiring loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The young Broncos now go on the road to face the Las Vegas Raiders, who are currently in second place in the AFC West at 5-3.

The Denver Broncos came into the 2020 NFL season with great expectations, including a potential playoff appearance that would be the team’s first since Super Bowl 50. While those expectations seemed attainable before the season, the Broncos are currently on the outside of the playoff circle looking in.

A convincing win over the Raiders would legitimize the Broncos’ playoff hopes and would put them in position to make a run in the final six weeks of the season.

While a win over the Raiders seems like a tall task after last week’s loss, the Broncos may just have a chance to gamble and win. Here’s how the Broncos pull the upset, and begin their playoff push:

Put four quarters of offense together

The Denver Broncos need to get out to faster starts, and getting Drew Lock comfortable is a huge part of that.

The Broncos’ offense needs some changes. The team has to put some pressure on the opposing defense, while taking the pressure off of the Broncos’ defense to constantly make plays.

The Raiders’ defense has been an average unit so far, allowing 25 points per game. Additionally, the Raiders’ defense has allowed nearly 270 passing yards per game, and over 100 yards per game on the ground, per ESPN. Like Atlanta, the Broncos’ offense has every chance to get going against the Raiders’ defense.

The Raiders have struggled to get quarterback pressure ever since they traded Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears, and their current defensive line is no exception. Maxx Crosby leads the team with five sacks on the year, while 2019 first-round pick Clelin Ferrell has not recorded a sack, per ESPN.

Drew Lock shouldn’t be feeling the heat this game, which will give him the time he needs to pick apart a suspect Raiders’ secondary. Rookie first round pick Damon Arnette is on injured reserve, and starter Trayvon Mullen exited last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a hamstring injury.

The Raiders likely won’t have their starting secondary unit on Sunday, which should allow the Denver Broncos’ offense to feast in the passing game. The emergence of Jerry Jeudy will give the defense another weapon to think about, and could leave K.J. Hamler and Noah Fant with huge openings in the defense.

This is the game the Broncos’ offense needs to get right. Look for the offense to hurry up early and often. If the Broncos can find a way to get four quarters of good play from their offense, they have an excellent chance to win big in Vegas.

Rebound from the nightmare in Atlanta

The Broncos’ defense, which had played well leading into week 9, got embarrassed by the Atlanta Falcons.

All-Pro receiver Julio Jones added a few plays to his highlight reel, including a wide open touchdown off of an incredible double-move.

While the rookie Michael Ojemudia will learn from his encounter with Jones, he will also be receiving some help this week. Veteran cornerbacks A.J. Bouye and Bryce Callahan are expected to return against the Raiders. And the Broncos will need all the help they can get.

The Raiders, like the Broncos, invested heavily in the receiver position over the offseason. In addition to incumbent starters Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow, the Raiders’ rookies Henry Ruggs III and Brian Edwards are seeing plenty of action. Waller leads the group with 50 receptions for 394 yards, with four touchdowns on the season, per ESPN.

The Raiders now have a diverse set of weapons in the passing game, to go along with Josh Jacobs in the backfield. Jacobs leads the team with 588 yards off of 161 carries and six touchdowns.

The Raiders’ offense does an excellent job of maximizing their players’ skillsets. Derek Carr is having a bounce-back year after struggling to regain his 2016 form. Carr has passed for just over 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns with only two interceptions, and a 70 percent completion percentage, per ESPN.

Carr’s go-to guys in the passing game are Waller and Renfrow. The hardest element of the Raiders’ passing game to slow down will be the rookie Ruggs, with blazing speed and excellent ball skills. The Broncos must make an effort to limit big plays over the top of the defense.

Making the Raiders one-dimensional will help the Broncos’ chances of leaving Las Vegas with a win, and slowing down the run game has to be a key for the Broncos’ defense. Jacobs isn’t a home run threat, but he is excellent at finding the right lane and exploding through the hole quickly for good gains.

The Broncos’ defense must make an emphasis to slow down the Raiders’ run game. With Shelby Harris expected to miss his second game after testing positive for COVID-19, the young stars on the Broncos’ defensive line will have to step up. The Broncos’ defense held Todd Gurley to 53 yards on the ground and will need another big performance to reach 4-5 on the season.

Shelby Harris certainly thinks the young defensive line is up to the task.

In addition to slowing down the run game, the Broncos’ defense will need to make Carr uncomfortable in the pocket. Carr has been excellent at avoiding negative plays throughout his career, in part because of his excellent offensive line.

Tackle Kolton Miller did not participate in Thursday’s practice, per USAToday. The Broncos’ defense will have to take advantage of Miller’s absence on Sunday if he can’t play, meaning constant pressure on Carr. If the Broncos can make Carr feel the heat in the pocket, they may be able to slow down a hot Raiders’ offense.

The Broncos have their work cut out for them to make their first playoff appearance since “The Sheriff’s” final game. However, a win in Las Vegas could give the young squad the spark they need, and propel them to a playoff push. The Broncos are gambling their playoff hopes this weekend in Las Vegas.

Final Prediction: Broncos 28, Raiders 27