Raiders are the worst team in the AFC West
For the past few years, the Las Vegas Raiders could take solace that they were not the worst team in the AFC West.
They were better than the Denver Broncos and owned them with an eight-game winning streak dating back to 2020.
That is no longer the case.
The Broncos took over in the second half, beating the Raiders 29-19 at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday to complete the season sweep over Las Vegas, which fell to 2-9 and which has lost seven straight games. Denver, 7-5, swept the Raiders for the first time since 2014.
The Raiders, who have trailed by double digits in all 111 games, are not only the worst team in the AFC West, but they’re one of the worst teams in the NFL as they are tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants as the only two-win teams in the NFL.
The rest of the season is all about the push to get a quarterback to give them a better chance of competing with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix in the division.
Here are some key aspects of the game:
Tough game for offensive line:
Gardner Minshew had to leave the game and reportedly broke his collarbone and will be out for the season on a sack late in the game. He was sacked five times.
Meyers has good game:
Raiders’ top receiver Jakobi Meyers was a bright spot as he had 10 catches for 121 yards. Meyers is having a nice season in a tough situation.
Nix gets them:
Nix had another solid game as he completed 25 of 42 passes for 273 yards. He was not intercepted and he connected with Courtland Sutton for two touchdown passes.
Bowers quiet, but sets mark:
Raiders’ rookie star tight end Brock Bowers had a quiet game with four catches for 38 yards. Bowers who is on pace to set all kinds of records did set the Raiders rookie record for receptions. He has 74 catches. Wide receiver Amari Cooper had 72 catches in 2015. The Broncos had star cornerback Patrick Surtain cover Bowers often.
McCormick flashes:
With Zamir White and Alexander Mattison out injured, running back Sincere McCormick made his debut. He had runs of 11 and 19 yards and finished with 33 yards on five carries. Perhaps we will see more of him down the stretch.
Coach out:
Sunday morning, the Raiders told reporters special teams coach Tom McMahon would not coach in the game. No explanation was given. Assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton II took McMahon’s role Sunday. The Raiders showed out on special teams with a long kickoff return by Dylan Laube that setup a touchdown and a 34-yard fake punt pass from punter A.J. Cole to linebacker Divine Deablo that setup a field goal.
Empty seats:
Not many Raiders fans are going to games at Allegiant Stadium. There were a lot of Broncos fans in the stands Sunday (as is often the case with visiting fans in Las Vegas. But there were also a lot of empty seats. That trend may continue in the final three home games this season.
Three-safety look:
The Raiders started the game with Tre’von Moherig, Isaiah Pola-Mao and Thomas Harper all playing safety. The Raiders were hurting at cornerback with Nate Hobbs (ankle) and Jakorian Bennett (shoulder) out.
Maxx Milestone:
Raiders’ star defensive end Maxx Crosby registered his 100th career tackle for loss in the second quarter. He added two more in the second half. It’s the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2019. He is one of four players since 1999 to reach 100 tackles for loss in their first six NFL seasons Joining DeMarcus Ware, J.J. Watt and Aaron Donald. Ware is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Watt and Donald are in their way to Canton soon. Crosby has 26 games with multiple tackles for loss, which is the second most since 2019 behind T.J. Watt’s 26. He has 14 tackles for loss this season, which is tied for the second most in the NFL.
Wilson coming on:
Raiders’ second-year defensive end Tyree Wilson had a sack for the second straight game (he has all three of his sacks this season in the past four games) and blew up a jet sweep in the second quarter. The No. 7 overall draft pick in 2023 has his moments, he just has to become more consistent.
First half mark:
In the second game with Scott Turner as the interim offensive coordinator, the Raiders scored 13 points in the first half as they led 13-9 at halftime. The Raiders hadn’t scored more than 10 points in the first half all season. It was their first halftime lead since Week 4.
Ugly turnover margin:
The Raiders are minus-17 on the turnover margin. It is the worst margin in team history after 11 games.
