The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson gives his scouting report for Sunday’s game between the Broncos and Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Offense

Quarterback Bo Nix had the biggest game of his rookie season when he threw for 307 yards and four touchdowns in the Broncos’ 38-6 win over Atlanta last Sunday. He continues to provide consistency for 6-5 Denver. The Broncos will look to get the running attack going with Javonte Williams coming off a strong game in which he gained 59 yards on nine carries. Quarterback Gardner Minshew got off to a hot start in giving the Raiders a 10-0 lead before they lost 34-18 at Denver on Oct. 6. He was benched after that game in favor of Aidan O’Connell before soon regaining the job due to injury. But the 2-8 Raiders have lost six straight. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers, with 70 catches for 706 yards, is one of their few bright spots on offense.

Advantage: Broncos

Defense

The Broncos ranked No. 3 in the NFL in both scoring and total defense entering Week 12. They had one of their best performances of the season in shutting down the Falcons, who entered the game No. 5 in the NFL in total offense. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto had two sacks in that game, giving him nine for the season, second in the NFL. In the last meeting with Las Vegas, cornerback Pat Surtain II had two interceptions, returning one 100 yards for a touchdown. Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby has had sacks in 10 straight games against Denver for a total of 15 ½. The Broncos are spending plenty of time preparing for him. Raiders outside linebacker Robert Spillane is ninth in the NFL with 97 tackles.

Advantage: Broncos

Coaching

Denver coach Sean Payton lost his first game against Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, who then had an interim tag, 27-14 in the 2023 finale. But Payton won their first meeting this season and one wonders if there will be another meeting after this year. While Payton has the Broncos in the No. 7 spot in the AFC and in line to make the playoffs, Las Vegas has been a major disappointment. It remains to be seen if Pierce, 7-12 overall with Las Vegas, will be back next season. Payton is an offensive-minded coach who works well with Nix while Pierce comes from the defensive side of the ball. But Pierce’s defense has given up an average of 37.5 points in the past two games.

Advantage: Broncos

Intangibles

The Raiders have won eight straight at home against Denver, four when in Oakland and four since moving to Las Vegas in 2020. The four wins in Las Vegas have been by an average margin of 10.8 points, with only one being close. Despite their record, the Raiders did stunningly win 26-23 at Baltimore in Week 2 and in their last home game, they lost just 27-20 to two-time defending champion Kansas City on Oct. 27. Payton has done a good job of keeping the Broncos grounded this season but must make sure they don’t have a letdown after the big win over the Falcons. The Broncos have looked good this season except for a 41-10 beatdown Nov. 10 at Baltimore.

Advantage: Raiders