Denver Broncos: Roster matchup with Las Vegas Raiders

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DENVER, COLORADO – AUGUST 28: Tim Patrick #81 of the Denver Broncos lines up on offense against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL preseason game at Empower Field at Mile High on August 28, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos roster is very talented, and it stacks up very well to a fellow undefeated team, the Las Vegas Raiders.

A little while ago, I wrote an article comparing the Denver Broncos roster to the Kansas City Chiefs, and they stack up pretty well.

The Broncos have several position groups where they simply have better players than the Chiefs, and the same goes for the Las Vegas Raiders.

While the Raiders are undefeated, they do have gaping holes on their roster, and when the season gets into late December and January, many team’s will be relying on their depth to get through games.

Generally, team’s who lack starter talent don’t have great depth, and even though the Raiders are currently 2-0, they lack starting caliber talent across a few areas on their roster.

Like it or not, the Raiders have a very good quarterback, and Derek Carr has propelled his Raiders to an undefeated start.

However, teams need more than just a good quarterback to win, and this is where the Broncos have several advantages.

Denver Broncos Roster Matchup Against Raiders

1. Offense – QB, WR, TE, RB, OL

Statistically, Teddy Bridgewater is having a slightly better year than Derek Carr. However, Derek Carr is the more consistent player and better quarterback, so the Raiders get the nod here.

The Broncos have a much stronger wide receiving core than the Raiders, boasting Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, and KJ Hamler.

I think the Raiders have a decent group, which consists of Hunter Renfrow, Willie Snead IV, Henry Ruggs III, Zay Jones, and Bryan Edwards, but the Broncos have more talent.

Broncos get the nod here.

As for the tight ends, the Raiders have the advantage with Darren Waller, but he’s 29, and Noah Fant is still just 23, so the Broncos probably have a better long-term outlook on the position, but the Raiders have the current advantage.

The Broncos have a slight advantage with their running backs, though.

Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams make for a scary duo, and the Raiders running backs consist of Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, and Peyton Barber, a mostly underwhelming group.

The offensive line is interesting. The Raiders overhauled their line this offseason, getting rid of Trent Brown, Gabe Jackson, and Rodney Hudson.

What was a clear strength became a mystery. The Raiders offensive line isn’t as good as it was, but they still have some decent players like Kolton Miller, Richie Incognito, and first round draft pick Alex Leatherwood.

Since the Broncos offensive line has been iffy so far, we’ll call this a wash.

So, the Broncos have the advantage at running back and wide receiver, the Raiders have the advantage at quarterback and tight end, and there is a tie along the offensive line.

2-2-1.

Now, time for the defense!

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