Broncos (6-5) at Raiders (2-8) When: Sunday, 2:05 p.m. MT Where: Allegiant Stadium Radio/TV: 850 AM, 94.1 FM/CBS Broncos-Raiders series: Denver is 54-72-2 in 128 regular-season games dating back to 1960; the Broncos won 34-18 in the last meeting, on Oct. 6, 2024, at home, snapping an eight-game losing streak to the Raiders. In the spotlight: Broncos still figuring out running back rotation Even though Denver’s offense has made strides, stability in the running back rotation remains. “That’s the six million dollar question. It’s difficult,” head coach Sean Payton said. The Broncos have rotated between Javonte Williams, Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin. Even though each running back has flashed, no one has stood out as the clear choice as the team’s top back. Williams’ starting job appeared to be in question after Week 10’s loss to the Chiefs. He rushed for a yard on one carry while Estime, the team’s fifth-round pick last April, totaled 14 carries for 53 yards. However, Williams found himself back in the driver’s seat last week against the Falcons. He had 87 total yards, including 59 and a touchdown on nine rushing attempts. Williams averaged 6.6 yards per carry — the most in a game this season. Estime, on the other hand, recorded six carries for 16 yards. At the moment, Payton doesn’t have an immediate answer for the running back position. “We’ll figure it out each week and kind of plan accordingly,” he said. Through 11 weeks, the Broncos are 20th in rushing yards per game (116), 17th in yards per attempt (4.3) and have rushed for at least 100 yards in eight games. Still, it seems like the team could be getting more out of the group. Related Articles Denver Broncos | Broncos WR Courtland Sutton has been “security blanket” for Bo Nix during midseason surge Denver Broncos | Broncos DE Zach Allen questionable to play vs. Raiders Denver Broncos | Renck & File: NFL flexing Broncos to Thursday night muscles out fans yet again Denver Broncos | Broncos’ rookie class, which Sean Payton predicted could be special, is starting to make its presence felt Denver Broncos | NFL picks: AFC race for the No. 1 seed is officially on and the Harbaugh Bowl should provide good MNF theater Williams, who has a team-best 447 yards on 112 attempts, has been up-and-down. He had 88 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints in Week 8 — Denver’s best rushing performance of the season. Then he totaled 87 yards on 30 attempts in the next three games. The Broncos have eight rushing touchdowns, with four coming from quarterback Bo Nix. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said the best way to look at Denver’s running back rotation is relying on whoever has the hot hand. “I never know going into the game,” Lombardi said. “There are a handful of plays where we are like, ‘Hey, we want Javonte or Audric in,’ but a lot of it is (running backs coach) Lou (Ayeni) deciding who is in on this series.” Recently, Denver added a new wrinkle to the run game by having wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. line up in the backfield. Sometimes Mims has served as a decoy and there have been other moments when he has been handed the ball. Payton said the challenging aspect of managing the running back room is trying to give each player a fair amount of touches. McLaughlin has been a victim of that, averaging 13.7 yards on 11 carries in the last three games. He hasn’t caught a pass in two straight games. “I thought Javonte had some really good runs (on Sunday),” Payton said. “The game ends and we’re like, ‘Gosh, we have to get Jaleel more touches.’ It’s tough.” Who has the edge? When Broncos run Javonte Williams had one of his best performances of the season against Las Vegas with 111 total yards on 18 touches, including 13 carries for 61 yards. Is he in for another big game? The Raiders have given up 102.3 rushing yards in their last four games. Edge: Broncos When Broncos pass Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has entered the offensive rookie of the year conversation — and might even be the front-runner. Nix has the fifth-most passing yards (1,615) and touchdown passes (13) in the league since Week 5. He also has a completion percentage of 68.9%. Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby has recorded 46 total tackles and 15.5 sacks in 11 games against Denver. He was a problem in Week 5, sacking Nix twice. Edge: Broncos When Raiders run Las Vegas has struggled to generate production in the run game. The Raiders have recorded less than 100 rushing yards in three of the last four games. They have totaled 60 yards on the ground in two straight contests. Denver held the Falcons to 50 yards on 21 carries (2.4 yards per attempt). This season, the Broncos have given up 3.8 yards per carry — fourth-best in the NFL. Edge: Broncos When Raiders pass Denver’s defense is well aware of the problems tight end Brock Bowers can cause. Bowers, a 13th overall pick last April, had eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown in Week 5 in Denver. He leads all tight ends with 385 yards after the catch, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats. But quarterback Gardner Minshew was benched the last time the Raiders faced the Broncos after he tossed two interceptions and was sacked twice. Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers has totaled two sacks and seven pressures in the last three games.  Edge: Broncos Special teams Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. collected 57 yards on three punt returns last week, including a 37-yard return in the second quarter. He has the third-most punt return yards (279) this season. The Raiders have allowed 12.1 yards per punt return. Edge: Broncos Coaching The Broncos might not have a true No. 1 pass catcher and their running back rotation remains in flux. But Sean Payton has figured out how to work with what he has. Coordinator Vance Joseph has the Broncos ranked in the top eight in almost every major defensive category. Under head coach Antonio Pierce, the Raiders have lost seven straight and made changes to their offensive staff, with Scott Turner serving as the interim coordinator after the firing of Luke Getsy. Simply put: the Raiders are a mess. Edge: Broncos Tale of the tape Broncos Raiders Total offense 312.5 (23rd) 285 (30th) Rush offense 116 (20th) 75.2 (32nd) Pass offense 196.5 (25th) 209.8 (17th) Points per game 21.4 (20th) 18.7 (T-24th) Total defense 289.4 (3rd) 327.8 (15th) Run defense 98.6 (6th) 125.1 (15th) Pass defense 190.7 (7th) 202.7 (11th) Points allowed 16.6 (3rd) 28.5 (29th) (Click here to view chart in mobile.)   By the numbers 370: Receiving yards for Broncos WR Courtland Sutton in the last five games. 3: Rushing touchdowns for Broncos RB Javonte Williams 89.3: Passer rating for Broncos QB Bo Nix. 6.5: Sack total for Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper. 4: Passes defended by Broncos CB Ja’Quan McMillian. Bet on it Courtland Sutton over 58.5 receiving yards: Denver’s veteran wideout has been on a heater. He has recorded at least 100 receiving yards in two of the last four games. The Raiders are dealing with injuries at cornerback, as Jakorian Bennett (shoulder), Nate Hobbs (ankle) and Jack Jones (back) did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Nix has elevated his play and so has Sutton. The 29-year-old could be in line for another productive afternoon. Brock Bowers anytime touchdown (+240): Yes, the Raiders are bad. But that hasn’t stopped Bowers from being one of the best tight ends in the league. He has recorded a touchdown reception in back-to-back weeks. If and when the Raiders score a touchdown on Sunday, there’s a good chance Bowers will be involved. Post predictions Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 24, Raiders 16 The Broncos have never won at Allegiant Stadium and have stumbled in games that present big opportunities in recent seasons — like last year’s visit to Houston at 6-5. This isn’t last year, though, and these Raiders aren’t like last year’s Texans. These are teams headed in different directions and that makes this a game Sean Payton’s team has no business losing. So far, so good on that front in 2024. Get to 7-5, then aim to get greedy against Cleveland going into the bye week. Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 30, Raiders 14 Denver hasn’t won against the Raiders on the road since 2017. That changes on Sunday. Bo Nix will strengthen his case for offensive rookie of the year while the defense has another strong performance. The Broncos have had a different mentality since narrowly losing to the Chiefs on the road. Don’t expect the Raiders to knock this hungry team out of its rhythm. Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 23, Raiders 17 Quarterback Bo Nix has collected more hardware than Home Depot this week, and has played himself into offensive rookie of the year conversation. The Raiders, losers of six straight, are reeling. Outside of Maxx Crosby, they get no pressure and create few turnovers. Sound familiar? (Looking at you Atlanta.) Nix will continue his season of firsts by becoming the first Broncos QB to win in Las Vegas. Toss in a deep throw to Troy Franklin and it will mark another mile marker in his development. Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 27, Raiders 20 The Broncos aren’t just 5-0 against teams with losing records — they’ve outscored those also-rans by an average margin of 26-14. Nobody bumslays the way Sean Payton and Bo Nix are bumslaying right now. And ain’t no bigger bums in the AFC West than the Raiduhs. Vegas needs to not think like a spoiler and follow Mark Davis’ master plan — stinking for Shedeur Sanders. And young Sanders is going to look awfully good in silver and black at this time next year. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.