The Las Vegas Raiders surprised everyone right off the gates this 2021 NFL season.
They suddenly had a high-powered offense led by veteran quarterback Derek Carr and running back Josh Jacobs.
Carr has several targets from Zay Jones, Hunter Renfrow, Henry Ruggs III, and Darren Waller.
Their defense also swarmed opponents thanks to defensive linemen Solomon Thomas, Carl Nassib, and Maxx Crosby.
Adversity Introduces A Man To Himself🦅🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/fGg8KJuG2p
— MaddMaxx (@CrosbyMaxx) October 13, 2021
It’s surprising how they dominated the opposition in their first three games.
Their offense wouldn’t stop gaining yards and points while their defense became successful in pressuring the quarterback.
They are tied for seventh in total sacks with 11 and are fourth in passing yards with 298.4 per game.
Unfortunately, they looked like a flash in the pan after struggling during their last two assignments.
The Raiders averaged 30 points per game in the three games they’ve won.
However, they had a combined 23 points against the Los Angeles Chargers and the Chicago Bears.
Watching the Bears OL bully the Raiders DL is something I was not expecting.
Credit to the Bears, they deserve this win.
— CJ Errickson (@CJErrickson_NFL) October 10, 2021
Their once-deadly offense suddenly looked pedestrian, even if their key starters did not suffer from significant injuries.
At 3-2, the Raiders are still in the thick of things at the AFC West.
But their Week 6 match-up against division rival Denver Broncos will reveal much about the team moving forward.
They can either confirm or deny that they are legitimate contenders.
Likewise, they can rise or falter amidst the off-field issues they are facing.
Will The Raiders Sink Or Swim?
In some ways, the Broncos have something to prove against the Raiders as well.
Yes, they have the second-best defense in the NFL, allowing 15.2 points per game.
But their three wins came against teams with losing records: Giants, Jaguars, and Jets.
In contrast, Denver surrendered an average of 25 points in consecutive losses to the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dad’s #Steelers vs. #Broncos reaction pic.twitter.com/9tUH4pieTM
— Pittsburgh Dad (@Pittsburgh_Dad) October 12, 2021
Therefore, the Broncos will finally have a marquee victory by defeating the Raiders.
On the other hand, the heavier burden rests on Las Vegas’ shoulders, especially on interim head coach Rich Bisaccia.
Aside from leading the team to victory, his principal role will be to motivate his squad to play because those emails by Jon Gruden can have an emotional effect on them.
Can they clear these societal distractions and focus on the game?
It’s hard enough to win in the NFL, and it gets tougher with a lingering issue that goes beyond the sport.
Rich Bisaccia last weekend before the bears game.#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/Yn3uMyQE6j
— NJRaiderNation ⚪️🏴☠️☠️⚫️ (@NJRaiderNation0) October 14, 2021
But the Raiders buried that matter in the past, given that they’re all professionals.
However, can they break the code that is the Denver defense?
Scoring big and winning against the Broncos will elevate their stock in the AFC playoff race.
A result of their favor is a strong statement that their offense is back after going through some hiccups against two AFC North powerhouses.
Carr will regain his confidence, and their defense will continue to punish the opposing team.
It's Broncos week and we're still thinking about Dwayne Harris' 99-yard punt return from 2018 😳 #TBT pic.twitter.com/QnRB0qXiOJ
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) October 14, 2021
But a bitter defeat against Denver can make their struggles worse.
Doubt will creep into their minds, and they might quit on the season even if there are 11 games left.
That mentality will destroy the Raiders internally, and the blame game may start.
Therefore, the team can save their season and regain pride by winning this contest.
NEXT: 3 Coaches Raiders Should Consider To Replace Jon Gruden