Denver Broncos: Three Things to Look for Against Raiders

Nov 15, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass after being pressured out of the pocket by Denver Broncos defensive end DeShawn Williams (90) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass after being pressured out of the pocket by Denver Broncos defensive end DeShawn Williams (90) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos, Justin Simmons, Caden Sterns
Denver Broncos safeties Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

3. Denver Broncos Overall Defensive Performance

Excuse me, but I thought the 2021 Denver Broncos defense was supposed to be good?

To be fair, they have been largely decent the entire season, but the last two weeks haven’t been great.

Allowing a 48-year-old Ben Roethlisberger to put up 27 points against you, and allowing a rookie running back to run all over you, all with a bad Steelers offensive, the line is unacceptable.

I’m not sure why the Broncos’ defense had such a poor game, but it was uncharacteristic of what we expect from this team.

Hopefully, the team can insert Ronald Darby back into the lineup, as Kyle Fuller hasn’t been good, but will that be enough?

The Broncos will be without Bradley Chubb for another month, at least, and Josey Jewell is gone for the season, as we know, but the Broncos’ defense still has loads of talent.

I would expect the defense to play a much better game at home, considering this Broncos team, in recent memory at least, has not played well during 1 PM start times.

Being that they play at 4:25 PM, which is what they’re accustomed to, they should be able to bounce back.

The secondary got burned all game, and the defensive front was exposed badly.

The Broncos cannot allow the Raiders to run the ball like the Steelers did, and the Broncos secondary has to limit the chunk plays.

The Raiders have the players to get these chunk plays, which is a bit concerning.

Hopefully, after two ugly losses, the team can straighten up, but if the Broncos defense has another rough outing, I’d begin to worry about their sustainability during the rest of the season, because if the defense begins to falter, then the Broncos would turn into a bad football team.