Keys to a home victory
The Las Vegas Raiders host the Denver Broncos o Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT.
Here are five keys to a Raiders’ victory:
Penalties in check:
The Raiders have been hurting themselves with critical, untimely penalties for most of their six-game losing streak. This team simply isn’t good enough to overcome silly mistakes. This team has to stop getting in its own way.
Contain Bo Nix:
The Broncos’ rookie quarterback, who was taken at No. 12 one pick ahead of the Raiders, has been improving dramatically and he was was the AFC’s Week 11 Offensive Player of the Week. Nix is playing with a lot of confidence. The Raiders’ defense, which is injury riddled, has tp get tp Nix early to get him out of his comfort level.
Account for Patrick Surtain:
In Week 5, it was Surtain’s 100-yard interception return for a touchdown that changed the game against the Raiders and it really changed the season and the 2-8 Raiders haven’t won since. The Raiders were poised to take a 17-3 lead, but instead Surtain made it a 10-10 game. It was a catalyst that turned a 10-0 Las Vegas lead into a 34-10 Denver lead in an eventual 34-18 game. Surtain can change this game as well.
Bowers, Bowers, Bowers:
There isn’t a lot to be excited about these Raiders, but rookie tight end Brock Bowers is a major bright spot. He is coming off of a 13-catch game and he has 70 catches. He’s already broken records and one pace for more. Get the ball to Brock as much as possible.
Get off the field:
The Dolphins scored on six drives and three of them lasted, at least, seven minutes, 4r4 seconds in a 34-189 Week 11 win. The Dolphins wore down the Raiders. Las Vegas defense must get off the field and improve late in downs. the Dolphins were 8 of 12 on third down an 2 for 2 on fourth down conversions.
