Clayton: The Broncos go into a must-win game without any advantages

This week’s Broncos game against the Las Vegas Raiders is like a playoff-contender elimination game.

The winner still has a chance to a wild card berth. The loser is most likely out.

For the Broncos, they need to win to stay alive. And they won’t have their starting quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater.

Vic Fangio didn’t sound overly confident that Bridgewater would be available for the team’s last two games, as well. But he said he has a chance. In the meantime, Drew Lock gets the start.

This is the Broncos second game against the AFC West rival Raiders. Fangio was asked if there was an advantage or challenge to play a team playing someone a second time.

“So much time has elapsed since the first game,” he said. “It’s not like you played them two weeks ago or something. Teams change midstream and during the season some.”

The showdown is going to be Lock going up against Derek Carr. Carr obviously has a big advantage in this matchup.

Lock said on Wednesday that he still believes in himself. Fangio says good things, but you know how Lock has struggled in the past two years.

His 4.4 QBR this year in the three games in which he’s appeared is about as bad as it good. The good news for the Broncos is that the Raiders have been so bad on defense this year that they are vulnerable. The Broncos don’t give up much on defense.

Should be interesting. The season is on the line. For both teams.

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