Las Vegas Raiders: Recapping the AFC West in Week 2 of the 2021 NFL season

Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Johnathan Abram (24) and cornerback Damon Arnette (right) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Las Vegas won 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders defensive back Johnathan Abram (24) and cornerback Damon Arnette (right) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Las Vegas won 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) gestures to the fans after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-13 at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2021; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) gestures to the fans after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-13 at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas Raiders: Recapping the AFC West in Week 2 of the 2021 NFL season

Denver Broncos

Like I mentioned at the top of the story, while the Raiders and the Chiefs are starting off the season playing playoff caliber teams, the Broncos have started their season against the likes of the New York Giants and the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, give them credit, as they’ve played well and beaten both teams and have started the season 2-0 to stay tied on top of the AFC West alongside the Raiders.

The first half of this game was a struggle for Teddy Bridgewater and the Broncos offense, as it took them all the way till the end of the second quarter to score their first touchdown, a Bridgewater pass to Tim Patrick, to take a 10-7 lead to head into halftime.  The Broncos defense played well pretty much all game allowing first overall pick Trevor Lawerence to pass for only 118 yards on 33 attempts, with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Last year’s breakout running back James Robinson also struggled to get going in this game gaining only 47 yards on 11 carries.  Broncos first-round pick Patrick Surtain Jr. collected his first career interception in this game, one of what should be many at the NFL level.

The slate remains easy for Denver this weekend, as they take on their second straight struggling rookie quarterback when the winless New York Jets and Zach Wilson go to Denver.

Schedule