Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos: 3 things we learned in Week 6

Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos: 3 things we learned in Week 6

The defense and defensive line can control games

Though the Raiders were in control for much of the game, the Denver Broncos gave it a good fight but thanks to the defense and the defensive line, in particular, it always seemed out of the reach. The defensive line was missing its biggest player in Jonathan Hankins and there was concern that the Raiders would be vulnerable to the run.

While the Broncos had some success on the ground to the tune of 112 yards rushing, the Raiders were able to limit their passing game thanks to a fearsome pass rush. Maxx Crosby accounted for three sacks alone as the team took down Teddy Bridgewater five times and hit him close to 20 times.

They forced the veteran quarterback into four turnovers including a fumble that essentially sealed the game late in the third quarter. Last season this would have been a shoot-out as the Raiders and Broncos would’ve traded points but instead, the Raider defense controlled the game from start to finish.

Though the Broncos unit is far from elite, it is encouraging that we got to see such a dominant performance from the Raiders despite the final score. Denver ended up scoring 24 points but two of those touchdowns came when the Raiders were in full prevent defense mode and were willing to have the Broncos have whatever they wanted underneath.

Next up they get a test against a more dynamic but far less experienced quarterback in Jalen Hurts and if they control the line of scrimmage and hit him close to 20 times, we should have a similar result in Allegiant Stadium. Hats off to Gus Bradley and the defense for working past the distractions and madness of this past week and being so vital in a total victory.