Raiders offense: Stingy Broncos defense will test Luke Getsy and crew

Offensive coordinator will need to devise plays for Las Vegas that can overcome the league’s third-ranked Denver defense

Potentially a low-scoring AFC West slugfest — that’s likely what’s in store when the Las Vegas Raiders take on the Denver Broncos this Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.

The two division foes walk into this matchup at 2-2 overall and it’s the visitors riding an eight-game win streak over the home team. So there’s plenty riding on this early-season meeting as the AFC West is home to the unbeaten 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs with the Raiders, Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers in a log jam at 2-2, each.

The road tilt pits the very stingy Broncos defense — lead by defensive coordinator Vance Joseph — against the stagnant Raiders offense — orchestrated by offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Thus, we’ll get to see Getsy and his offense get tested by Joseph and his defense but how the Raiders play caller goes about besting or flopping against the Broncos play caller.

Joseph’s defense boasts the No. 3 overall unit in terms of points allowed (55 total) and the second-ranked group in terms of yards given up (1,026) allowing an average of 13.8 points per contest through four games.

Looking deeper, Denver is ranked third and fifth in the league in terms of passing yards and passing touchdowns yielded (584 yards and three touchdowns). Against the run, the Broncos are 12th and fourth in yards and touchdowns given up (442 yards and two touchdowns). The 4.1 yards per carry average is good for ninth in the NFL.

Joseph’s group is also No. 3 in the league on limiting teams on third down conversions (53 attempts and only 15 conversions for a 28.3 percent rate) and No. 2 in terms of red zone conversions (seven red zone visits and only two touchdowns surrendered for a 28.6 percent clip).

Flip the coin to the Raiders offense and it’s easy to see why this will be a solid test for Getsy and his unit. Las Vegas is ranked 19th and 24th in points scored and yards gained (78 and 1,155 yards) scoring an average of 19.5 points per contest through the initial four games.

The Raiders sport the 13th and 18th ranked passing offense in terms of yards and touchdowns (850 yards and four touchdowns). On the ground, the team is second to last (31st) and 10th in terms of yards gained and touchdowns (305 yards, four touchdowns).

Getsy’s offense has been a roller coaster as much as the team’s overall experience through four games, but Sunday’s game in Denver is an excellent prove-it opportunity. Getsy was far more creative in the early goings against Cleveland by using the speed Las Vegas has at its disposal as wide receivers Tre Tucker, DJ Turner, and Tyreik McAllister all carried the ball to provide a jolt and diversity to the Raiders’ lackluster rushing attack. And running back Alexander Mattison (five carries for 60 yards, a long of 24) had more explosive runs than starter Zamir White (17 carries for 50 yards, long of 17).

Mattison’s production along with mixing in wide receivers is something to keep an eye on going forward as Las Vegas continues attempting to make the ground game a viable aspect of the offense (one that will be without wide receiver Davante Adams).

“I mean, anytime you can make them defend everybody that’s going to help you. We talk about all the time, finding guys that can do a bunch of different things, and the more of those guys you have, the more the defense has to be accountable for it,” Getsy said during his Thursday media availability. “So, I guess the short answer is yes, anytime you can include everybody in this thing, it’s really important to make the defense to defend every blade of grass. That’s what we’re trying to do, whether it’s with one guy doing a bunch of different things, or a bunch of guys doing things that they do really well.”

A defense that doesn’t allow many points versus an offense that struggles to score points — that’s the Broncos defense against Raiders offense in a nutshell.

But why the low-scoring prediction?

For as good as Joseph is through four games running the defense, the offense is the polar opposite. Denver has scored 62 total points and gained 1,064 yards good for the 28th and 27th rankings in those respective categories. The offense is 31st in not only third-down conversions (57 attempts, 14 conversions, 24.6 percent rate) but also red zone touchdowns (12 attempts, only four touchdowns for a 33.3 percent rate). Not even the collective brain power of head coach Sean Payton, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, and senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael have done the Broncos offense any good — so far.

On the Raiders’ side of the coin, Patrick Graham’s defense has yielded 97 points and 1,377 yards giving Las Vegas the 24th and 21st ranked group in each category. Where the Silver & Black defense shines are third-down conversions as the team is ranked eighth with 48 attempts and only 15 conversions (31.3 percent success rate). Red zone-wise, Las Vegas is ranked 17th with 14 red zone attempts from opponents and giving up eight touchdowns (57.1 percent rate).

While it’s possible the Broncos get their offense humming against the Raiders, Denver has a six-point output against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 and most recently a 10-point performance most recently against the New York Jets. The Broncos held the Jets to nine points in last week’s win and rattled of points and yards in a 26-7 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.

Thus, it’s much more plausible the Denver defense suffocates the Las Vegas offense while the Broncos continue to have issues scoring points themselves.

Series History: The two teams have 129 times in the regular season with the Raiders holding a 72-53-2 all-time series advantage. The two teams have met twice in postseason play and are 1-1. The Silver & Black hold an eight-game winning streak over the Broncos — the two most recent outcomes being 27-14 and 17-16 victories last season. The last time the Broncos won a series game was a 16-15 victory over the Oakland variant on Dec. 29, 2019 in Denver. The Broncos did have an eight-game win streak themselves from late 2011 to early 2015.

Quote(s) Of Note:

“I mean, what are they second in the league in sacks or first? I mean it starts there, right? I mean, up front they do a really nice job. They put a lot of pressure on you. They make you block a lot of one on ones, right? So, they don’t let you just sit there and slide to people. And so, they put a lot of pressure on you and stress on you and you got to stand up to it. And they’ve done an excellent job, really for the last season and a half now, so they definitely pose a problem for us and we’re excited to take it on that challenge.” —Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy on why it’s difficult to pass against the Broncos

“I don’t know about in 2024 we haven’t. We haven’t played them yet. So, the past is the past. You can’t talk about those 8,12, 20 games, whatever many years back. We’re talking about this year, the 2024 Raiders and the Broncos, and they’re playing really good. They’re coming off a two-game winning streak on the road against two good quarterbacks and teams, and it’s going to be a challenge for us on the road against that team.” —Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce when asked about the eight-game win streak and any psychological advantage his team may have over the Broncos