3 X-Factors for Raiders Against Broncos

The Las Vegas Raiders begin the 2023 NFL regular season today, taking on a divisional opponent in the Denver Broncos.

The Raiders are looking to keep their winning ways against the Broncos going with a season-opening victory over their AFC West foes.

Traveling to Empower Field at Mile High is never an easy task, even if the Raiders have won their last three games with the Broncos in that stadium.

The Broncos enter the 2023 season looking to change their fortunes against the Raiders, and change their fortunes in the division. They finished 5-12 last season, last in the AFC West.

The Raiders' top stars will obviously dictate how the game goes for the Silver and Black, but there are a few contributors who could be crucial to a victory.

Let’s take a look at three X-factors for the Raiders against the Broncos.

Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers -- Davante Adams is going to draw lots of attention from the Broncos’ defense, and for good reason.

However, this might mean that they will forget about Meyers, a player who has posted over 800 receiving yards in the last two seasons. Meyers has developed into a formidable pass catcher over the last few seasons.

Meyers will have to take advantage of the match-ups he gets when the defense is focused on stopping Adams. If he can, the Raiders will be that much tougher to slow down.

Tight end Michael Mayer -- Rookie phenom Mayer will make his NFL regular season debut, and expectations are high for the former Notre Dame star.

Mayer will match up with a tough Broncos linebacker group that features two players with more than 120 tackles last season -- Josey Jewell and Alex Singleton.

A big game in his debut could be crucial for the Raiders if they want to secure a victory, and it would mean a bright future is ahead for the talented Mayer.

Linebacker Robert Spillane -- Linebacker play will have to improve for the Raiders this season if they want to return to the postseason.

Free agent addition Spillane was brought in to remedy that situation. Spillane is a great tackler with great instincts and thrives in stopping the run.

Spillane will have to improve in coverage and be ready when the Broncos attack the middle of the field. If he can lock down that middle of the field, the Broncos’ offense will be limited, which increases the Raiders’ chances of victory.

The Silver and Black open the regular season at the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 4:25 p.m. EDT/1:25 p.m. PDT.

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