The Las Vegas Raiders will be looking to end a six-game losing streak on Sunday when they host the Denver Broncos.
The Raiders’ season-defining skid began with a 34-18 loss to the Broncos in Denver on Oct. 6. They’ve yet to recover.
The losses haven’t been within a touchdown for Las Vegas (2-8), save for a five-point setback to the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 20 in which it trailed 20-6 before making three straight field goals to make the final score look a bit more competitive.
The Broncos (6-5), on the other hand, have been a pleasant surprise.
Expectations for Bo Nix’s rookie year weren’t exactly through the roof, but the outlook has changed with the quarterback’s recent performance. Nix has thrown 2,275 yards so far this season in addition to 14 touchdowns. Over the past two games, Nix has 522 passing yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions.
“It’s hard to pick out specific things (that he’s doing well),” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “I mean, we’re blocking well. I think we have balance. I say this all the time, your allies at that position are your defense. He’s certainly settled in third down (and) red zone.
“You’re learning each week and then pretty soon you’re like, I belong here. It’s clear (Nix) belongs here.”
For Nix, his performance earned him his first career AFC Player of the Week honor.
“It’s a great honor,” Nix said. “It’s a great responsibility, but at the same time, it doesn’t end with just that. You obviously got to go back, continue, and they only remember your last game. You got to go out there and continue to do it.
“It’s a great honor. Many great players have won the award in the past. It’s an honor to be included and be that recipient, but there’s a lot of work left to be done.”
Las Vegas starter Gardner Minshew hasn’t had the same success recently.
Minshew has just eight passing touchdowns and nine interceptions, and his tally of 1,783 yards for the season ranks a lackluster 24th overall among starting quarterbacks.
The Raiders’ ground attack hasn’t been much of a help either, as the team ranks last in the league with 75.2 rushing yards per game.
Las Vegas also is nursing several injuries, including a shoulder injury to Jakorian Bennett that will sideline the cornerback for Sunday’s game. He sustained the injury during the first quarter of the Raiders’ 34-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins last Sunday.
“It’s one of the ones you’ve got to just swallow, you’ve got to take it,” Las Vegas coach Antonio Pierce said. “There’s been some non-contact injuries. There’s been guys getting rolled up. Think about the Cincinnati Bengals game, you get six guys with ankle injuries, that’s kind of unheard of.
“Just been having some bad breaks, but nobody feels sorry for us. Nobody feels sorry for me. You’ve got to roll out there with 11 players, and that’s what we’re going to do come Sunday.”
In addition to Bennett, fellow cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) has been ruled out while running backs Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadricep) are doubtful to play on Sunday. Tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle), cornerback Jack Jones (back), guard Cody Whitehair (ankle) and center Andre James (ankle) are listed as questionable.
As for the Broncos, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game, while defensive end Zach Allen (heel) is questionable.
