Broncos vs. Raiders: Live updates and highlights from the NFL Week 1 game
Are you ready for some football, Broncos fans? The Sean Payton era kicks off Sunday when Denver hosts its division rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
Pregame updates
Scouting report (10:30 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Raiders in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.
Game predictions
Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Broncos 23, Raiders 21
The Sean Payton era starts off with a win and the vanquishing of a division losing streak. Paytonâs hand-picked kicker, Wil Lutz, has a big say in the proceedings on an ugly-but-ultimately-enough offensive day.
Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 24, Raiders 20
Payton will show he means business with a win over Las Vegas. It will not be pretty, but quarterback Russell Wilson will have a solid game, while the defense will force a turnover down the stretch to solidify the victory.
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 31, Raiders 17
Have we forgotten? After Denver dumped the mistake that was Nathaniel Hackett, the team played good football late last season. And it will play even better football — dare I say playoff-worthy football? â under the direction of Sean Payton.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 23, Raiders 20
Sean Payton may pooh-pooh this whole ârivalryâ thing in front of the cameras, but privately? I ainât buyinâ it. His Saints went 3-0 in their last three NFC South home openers and were 6-3 over their last nine. One AFC West streak down. One to go.
Broncos-Raiders NFL Week 1: Must reads
Broncos coach Sean Payton and QB Russell Wilson are learning to speak the same language — with the help of a translator
Even the most intense football coaches sometimes find themselves going through the motions. Sean Payton did at one point, deep into a February stuffed full of coaching interviews.
Call a guy, talk, say youâll circle back. Bring a candidate to town, shake him down and size him up as efficiently as possible, send him on his way. Rinse, repeat.
Then 28-year-old Davis Webb showed up at Denverâs training facility for a meeting with Payton and general manager George Paton about the quarterbacks coach job and Payton almost caught and released one too many times, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.
Broncos CB Pat Surtain II looks forward to matchup against Raidersâ WR Davante Adams after last seasonâs heartbreaking loss
Very few wide receivers can make Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II look lost on the field. Thatâs why Davante Adams is one of the best in the business.
In overtime of Denverâs Week 11 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders last season, Adams faked left, turning Surtain around before cutting to the right corner where he caught a wide-open 35-yard touchdown pass to beat the Broncos, 22-16. Adamsâ insane footwork and precise route running had Surtain flat-footed and many Broncos players in disbelief.
âThatâs the toughest thing about the position,â Surtain said on Thursday. â⊠Sometimes stuff like that happens.â Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.
Kiszla: Beating the hated Raiders is must win for new Broncos coach Sean Payton
After throwing everybody in Broncos Country except Miles the Mascot under the bus and seizing control of a $4.65 billion NFL franchise like he owns it, irascible Sean Payton has no choice but to get this retooled orange-and-blue bandwagon rolling in high gear right out of the gates.
Coach Crabbypants wonât be granted a second chance to make a big first impression.
Beating da hated Rai-duhs in his debut as Broncos coach is nothing less than a must-win game for Payton, Mark Kiszla writes. Read the full column.
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