Las Vegas

Raiders

Ridder lost a fumble that effectively ended the game. He came in late in the fourth quarter after Gardner Minshew left the game with what turned out to be a season-ending collarbone injury. The always-inaccurate Ridder would be a significant downgrade for the Vegas offense if he’s forced into action next week against the Chiefs. Aidan O’Connell could get a chance to start if the Raiders were spooked by Ridder’s poor showing in Week 12.

Outside of a 59-yard kickoff return, Laube was invisible. Alexander Mattison and Zamir White were sidelined, leaving Ameer Abdullah and Sincere McCormick — who had never had a regular season carry before Sunday — to split the Vegas backfield work. Laube did not run a pass route against Denver.

It was Tucker’s second highest yardage total of the season, though much of it came in the fourth quarter with the Raiders trailing by multiple scores. Tucker ran a route on nearly every Vegas drop back and was third on the team in targets behind Jakobi Meyers (14) and Brock Bowers (10). Tucker, who had the team’s longest play of the day with a 28-yard second half catch, should not be considered a viable fantasy play in Week 13 against Kansas City, however.

Denver’s elite secondary focused on taking Bowers away from Gardner Minshew a week after Bowers had 13 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins. Pat Surtain covered Bowers for some of the game, and the Broncos used a considerable amount of bracket coverage against the standout rookie tight end. Bowers and Jakobi Meyers combined for about half of the Raiders’ targets against the Broncos. Bowers will be a top-three fantasy option in Week 13 against the Chiefs. He had five grabs for 58 yards against KC in Week 5.

It was a season-high yardage total for Meyers as the Broncos focused on shutting down Brock Bowers. Meyers avoided Pat Surtain in coverage and was peppered by Gardner Minshew throughout. He even saw an end zone look from Desmond Ridder after Minshew left the game with a collar bone injury. Meyers, who has at least six receptions in five games this season, should be a top-30 fantasy play in Week 13 against a tough Kansas City secondary. Ridder represents a big downgrade for every Vegas pass catcher.

Minshew’s left shoulder was driven into the ground hard while being sacked in the Raiders’ Week 12 loss to the Broncos. Minshew finishes 2024 with 2,013 passing yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions and rushed 19 times for 58 yards. He is under contract through 2025. Minshew was replaced by backup Desmond Ridder but former starter Aidan O’Connell (right thumb) could reportedly be activated from injured reserve next week.

Operating as the team’s lead back with Zamir White and Alexander Mattison sidelined, Abdullah led Vegas in carries in another pass-heavy game script. Abdullah’s touchdown came on a dump off from Gardner Minshew inside the ten yard line. Abdullah ran a route on a hefty 80 percent of the Raiders’ Week 12 drop backs. Sincere McCormick, who was activated from the practice squad ahead of the Raiders’ Week 12 game, was second on the team with five rushes for 33 yards. He would figure to work into the team’s backfield rotation if Mattison and White remain out in Week 13 against the Chiefs.

Minshew was sacked by a trio of Denver defenders late in the fourth quarter and appeared to be in significant pain. It appeared to be a left shoulder injury for Minshew, who was helped to the locker room. He had 230 yards, a touchdown, and an interceptions before exiting the game. Desmond Ridder replaced Minshew and immediately lost a fumble to the swarming Broncos defense. Ridder would represent a major downgrade for Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers if he’s forced to start in Week 13 against the Chiefs.

Mattison and White being out means Ameer Abdullah will take over the Raiders’ lead back against Denver. Abdullah, who last week had a receiving touchdown, is a viable flex option in PPR formats. Dylan Laube will also mix in and take some of the team’s backfield work.

Fellow cornerback Nate Hobbs is out with an ankle issue. Jack Jones returned to practice on Friday and will presumably be listed as questionable. Down at least two starting corners, the Raiders are as good of a matchup as Bo Nix could ask for.