As the calendar flipped to October, the Broncos and Raiders were two of the biggest surprises in the NFL. Both teams, behind efficient quarterback play and some timely defensive playmaking, sat atop the AFC West at 3-0 and looked like playoff contenders.
What a difference two weeks makes. Both teams are entering their Week 6 matchup Sunday weighed down by two-game losing streaks. The Raiders are in turmoil following Jon Gruden’s resignation on Monday in the wake of a revelation he sent racist, homophobic and misogynistic emails to former Washington Football Team president Bruce Allen during the past decade. The Broncos, meanwhile, have turned in performances the past two weeks that have made their perfect start look like little more than the result of a soft opening schedule.
But a win for either team Sunday would mean a 4-2 record and a fresh shot of optimism about the season ahead. The loser will drop to 3-3 and own a three-game losing streak, leaving a massive hill to climb the rest of the season.
So, yeah, this is a big one. To help get you ready for the latest installment of this decades-old division rivalry, The Athletic’s beat writers, Tashan Reed (Raiders) and Nick Kosmider (Broncos) tell you what they’ll be watching:
Key matchups
Reed: It’s not an understatement to say that this game will be decided by how the Raiders’ offensive line fares against the Broncos’ defensive front. The Las Vegas O-line has been bad at both pass protection and run blocking this year: According to TruMedia, the Raiders are 20th in pressure rate allowed and 31st in yards per carry.
