The Broncos have an opportunity to finish the season with a winning record for the first time since 2016. Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.

Live updates

FINAL | Raiders 27, Broncos 14

It’s an unlucky No. 7 for the Broncos.

After losing to the Raiders, 27-14, Denver finishes the season with an 8-9 record — the seventh straight losing season for the franchise. Full story coming soon.

More Broncos coverage:

PHOTOS: Denver Broncos lose to Las Vegas Raiders 27-14 in NFL Week 18.
Broncos report card: Raiders’ pressure rattles Jarrett Stidham, sends Denver into offseason full of question marks at 8-9.
Heroes and zeros from Broncos’ loss to Las Vegas Raiders: Jerry Jeudy shines, while Sean Payton taps into familiar theme.
Broncos move up two spots to No. 12 in 2024 draft order after sweep by Raiders, 8-9 season mark.
Here are the Broncos home and road opponents for the 2024 season.
Broncos four downs: Sean Payton’s game management vs. Raiders reminds us of Vic Fangio. Not in a good way.

Fourth-quarter updates

Ballgame (5:19 p.m.): Jarrett Stidham threw a deep ball with an incredibly high arc — looks like his hand was hit on the release — and it sailed into Trevon Moehrig-Woodard’s hands. — Joe Nguyen

And there it is, a Jarrett Stidham pick to end the 2023 season. A fitting end to what was a wildly mediocre season. The Broncos’ run of losing campaigns now runs to seven. — Matt Schubert

Manhandled (5:18 p.m.): If that’s the last offensive play of the 2023 season, then it ends with Garett Bolles getting absolutely manhandled on a sack. — Matt Schubert

Field goal, Raiders (5:12 p.m.): Daniel Carlson with the 21-yard field goal. Raiders 27, Broncos 14 with 2:20 left. — Joe Nguyen

Raiders tack on a field goal while running the clock to 2:20. It’s 27-14, Raiders, and we’re nearing the merciful end of a lost season. — Matt Schubert

First down (5:03 p.m.): Make that another first down into Broncos territory. Calling game on that. — Matt Schubert

Running out of time (5:01 p.m.): Denver’s defense has to make a stop if the Broncos want a chance to win. With a loss, it’ll be the seventh straight year that they’ve finished with a losing record. — Joe Nguyen

A pair of third-and-long completions from Aidan O’Connell probably means game here. Broncos are down two scores and if they get the ball back, they’ll have approximately four minutes to make something happen. — Matt Schubert

Touchdown, Broncos (4:53 p.m.): With the direct snap, Javonte Williams barrels his way into the end zone. Raiders 24, Broncos 14 with 10:09 to go in the fourth quarter. — Joe Nguyen

Is that our first Javonte Williams Wildcat play of the season? — Matt Schubert

Believe it was! Stidham fumbled the snap on third-and-goal, so Payton had him motion out to the left slot on fourth down and Williams punched it in. — Parker Gabriel

Jerry. Jeudy. (4:49 p.m.): Where’s this Jerry Jeudy been? That was a 49-yard gain for the Broncos receiver, who’s now being walked off the field after that catch. — Joe Nguyen

New spark? (4:46 p.m.): 24-7 Raiders in the fourth quarter. Are we on…dare I say it… Russell Wilson Watch? — Parker Gabriel

Touchdown, Raiders (4:42 p.m.): That was fast. First play of the fourth quarter, Aidan O’Connell connects with Jakobi Meyers for a 33-yard touchdown. Raiders 24, Broncos 7 with 14:53 remaining. — Joe Nguyen

Jakobi Meyers now has 12 receptions for 131 yards and 3 TDs against the Broncos this season. (Oh, and a TD run.) — Matt Schubert

Third-quarter analysis — Raiders 17, Broncos 7

Mark Kiszla, columnist: Jarrett Stidham is good at the operational aspects of football. But when it comes to leading touchdown drives? Not so much.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Not sure what’s worse: The Broncos offense with Jarrett Stidham at the controls, or Matt Millen on the mic.

Third-quarter updates

Fourth-and-no good (4:32 p.m.): Going for it on fourth-and-3, Jarrett Stidham threw an incompletion. Raiders ball. — Joe Nguyen

Nice gain (4:28 p.m.): Jarrett Stidham connected with Adam Trautman for a 21-yard gain. The next play, a quick 5-yard hit to Javonte Williams. Denver is near the 50-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Another three-and-out (4:22 p.m.): Denver’s defense stood up tall again. The Broncos force the punt. No if the offense can do something. — Joe Nguyen

Jimmy G. alert (4:22 p.m.): We’ve got a Jimmy G sighting at Allegiant Stadium. Translation: The Broncos might be able to steal this thing, after all.

Aidan O’Connell has a finger injury. In a reprise of the Chargers game, when Justin Herbery was knocked out with the same injury. — Matt Schubert

Almost amazing (4:18 p.m.): Broncos rookie cornerback Riley Moss almost made an incredible play on that punt. He stopped the ball from getting into the end zone, but it slowly spun back in before any of the other Broncos could reach it. — Joe Nguyen

No dice (4:18 p.m.): One tradition that does stay alive: The Broncos getting zero points on their first offensive drive of the second half. — Matt Schubert

Three-and-out (4:10 p.m.): Vegas couldn’t capitalize on getting the ball to start the third quarter. Marvin Mims Jr. picked up a nice 15-yard punt return to get Denver the ball to start at its own 29. — Joe Nguyen

In a change of pace, it’s the Broncos defense that forces a three-and-out to begin the third quarter. — Matt Schubert

Halftime analysis — Raiders 17, Broncos 7

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: That late-half clock management from Sean Payton could end up helping the Broncos’ draft position, but is concerning if you take him at his word from Friday that he’s approaching and coaching this game exactly like he would if they needed a win to get into the playoffs.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: There needs to be a case study about Sean Payton and how he uses timeouts.

Mark Kiszla, columnist: If 23 points in six quarters ain’t a spark, I don’t know what is?

Matt Schubert, sports editor: If Sean Payton low key wanted to lose this game, I applaud his efforts.

Second-quarter updates

Touchdown, Raiders (3:50 p.m.): Aidan O’Connell connected with Davante Adams for the 3-yard touchdown. Raiders 17, Broncos 7 with seven seconds left in the half. — Joe Nguyen

And now it costs the Broncos a touchdown. Davante Adams with the TD grab to end a 98-yard drive that began AFTER the two-minute warning. Not great, Bob.

It’s going to be 17-7 Raiders going into halftime with Las Vegas getting the ball to start the third quarter. Yikes. — Matt Schubert

Bad timeouts (3:46 p.m.): Sean Payton taking timeouts he later regrets has been a consistent theme of this Broncos season. — Matt Schubert

Not that it really matters, but Sean Payton took his last timeout in a situation where he couldn’t really stop the Raiders from killing the clock if they wanted to and now they’ve turned first-and-10 at their own 1 into a scoring chance before halftime. — Parker Gabriel

Casa Bonitto (3:43 p.m.): Nik Bonitto just ran past the Raiders right tackle and tallied his eighth sack of the season. — Joe Nguyen

18 weeks in, the Broncos run defense is still bad. But Nik Bonitto is also quite good at rushing the passer. — Matt Schubert

Tom McMahon Special Teams Gaffe (3:42 p.m.): Remember those well. — Matt Schubert

Riley. Dixon. (3:38 p.m.): While the offense came up empty, that was a nice 65-yard punt by Riley Dixon to the 1-yard line. — Joe Nguyen

Third-and-long (3:36 p.m.): Broncos third-down distances so far today:

11
9
2
15
12
15

— Parker Gabriel

Another chance (3:32 p.m.): A three-and-out gives Stiddy and Co. a chance to tie or take the lead going into halftime. — Matt Schubert

Tackle machine (3:31 p.m.): Alex Singleton’s got five tackles so far in the first half and 167 for the season. Needs three to tie/four to pass Michael Brooks for most by a Broncos player in a season since at least 1991. — Parker Gabriel

Third-and-too much (3:26 p.m.): Well, except for that last one. The Broncos will have to punt. You can only hope for so much Stidham magic on third-and-long. — Matt Schubert

Stiddy. Sparky. Sack-y. — Parker Gabriel

Stidham has been sacked three times in the second quarter. — Ryan McFadden

Third-down conversion (3:24 p.m.): Marvin Mims Jr. just converted a third-and-16 on a nice catch-and-run. — Joe Nguyen

Say this for Jarrett Stidham: He keeps finding ways to convert on third-and-long. — Matt Schubert

Field goal, Raiders (3:18 p.m.): Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson — an alumnus of The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs — nails the 49-yard field goal. Raiders 10, Broncos 7 with 7:09 to go in the first half. — Joe Nguyen

The pride of Colorado Springs, Daniel Carlson, bangs home the field goal, and the Raiders are back on top 10-7. — Matt Schubert

No turnover (3:17 p.m.): And it was. Aidan O’Connell’s hand was clearly going forward there.

The Tuck Rule applied once again in a Raiders game. With slightly different stakes. — Matt Schubert

Team takeaway? (3:15 p.m.): Aidan O’Connell fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Alex Singleton. It’s under review. Singleton received a shower of beer from the fans for his efforts. — Joe Nguyen

I’m guessing that Alex Singleton fumble recovery will be taken off the board. — Matt Schubert

Touchdown, Broncos (3:06 p.m.): Jerry Jeudy dances his way into the end zone on a 22-yard catch and run. Broncos 7, Raiders 7 with 10:34 to go in the first half. — Joe Nguyen

Without a doubt Jerry Jeudy’s best play of the season. Jarrett Stidham looking pretty Spark-y on that drive, if I do say so myself. — Matt Schubert

Jeudy’s touchdown reception was his first since Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs. — Ryan McFadden

About that take (3:05 p.m.): Matt Millen is blown away by the Broncos’ wide receiver talent.

Given his draft history in Detroit, I’m not sure what to think about that. — Matt Schubert

Sacked (3:04 p.m.): Welp, that was the way the Broncos wanted to go. Maxx Crosby beat Cam Fleming and sacked Jarrett Stidham for a 12-yard loss. — Joe Nguyen

Maxx Crosby now up to 13.5 sacks against the Broncos in 10 career games. — Matt Schubert

Jerry Jeudy sighting (3:02 p.m.): Jarrett Stidham connects with Jerry Jeudy for an 8-yard gain. — Joe Nguyen

First-quarter analysis — Raiders 7, Broncos 0

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: What if instead of the final three quarters of ball this year we just had Maxx Crosby vs. Quinn Meinerz doing strong-man stuff?

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: If you didn’t know it already, Jarrett Stidham is not the spark.

Mark Kiszla, columnist: From an operational standpoint, I thought Jarrett Stidham was much better than Russell Wilson, didn’t you? Except for that little matter of points on scoreboard.

Matt Schubert, sports editor: For those watching at home: This might be a day for the RedZone Channel.

First-quarter updates

Big gain (2:56 p.m.): Jarrett Stidham just connected with Brandon Johnson for a 36-yard gain. — Joe Nguyen

Touchdown, Raiders (2:50 p.m.): Jakobi Meyers scrambles into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. Raiders 7, Broncos 0 with 1:44 to go in the first quarter. — Joe Nguyen

Jakobi Meyers, whose day job is to catch touchdowns, was supposed to throw for a touchdown but instead ran for a touchdown. — Parker Gabriel

Jakobi Meyers has been a problem for the Broncos defense through five quarters this season. — Matt Schubert

Welcome to the party (2:41 p.m.): Maxx Crosby invited himself to the Jarrett Stidham reunion and looks like he’s planning on spending plenty of quality time in Stidham’s personal space today. — Parker Gabriel

Puntfest (2:41 p.m.): One word to describe these offenses so far: Punt. — Matt Schubert

Rough start (2:38 p.m.): If this is Jarrett Stidham’s audition for the starting role, it’s off to a slow start. He’s 1 of 5 for a yard passing so far. — Joe Nguyen

Stidham is 1 for 5 with one passing yard so far this afternoon. — Ryan McFadden

Javonte time (2:37 p.m.): Three plays, three touches for Javonte Williams. Runs of 7 and 4 yards, followed by a 1-yard catch. — Joe Nguyen

Sacked (2:30 p.m.): Denver’s defense opens with a sack. Baron Browning crushed Aiden O’Connell.

Then the next play, Pat Surtain II almost had a pick. — Joe Nguyen

Three-and-out (2:29 p.m.): Not a great first drive for the Broncos. Three plays, minus-1 yard. — Joe Nguyen

Coin toss (2:25 p.m.): Raiders win the toss and defer. Jarrett Stidham and the Broncos offense are up first today. — Parker Gabriel

Pre-game updates

Field set (2:14 p.m.): The AFC playoff field is now set. Here are the seven teams now guaranteed of a spot, with seeding still to be determined: Baltimore, Miami, Kansas City, Houston, Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

The Broncos’ record against those teams: 3-3. — Matt Schubert

The way it shakes out for the Broncos (based on my fuzzy math) is that had Denver beat New England and all the other results stayed the same, Denver would be playing today needing a win and a Miami win tonight to make the playoffs at 10-7. — Parker Gabriel

Inactives (12:58 p.m.): Broncos inactives vs LV:

CB Art Green
OLB Thomas Incoom
C Alex Forsyth
TE Chris Manhertz
DE Elijah Garcia

— Ryan McFadden

WR Michael Bandy’s inactive, too.

The Broncos have rookies S JL Skinner and TE Nate Adkins both up today. Skinner takes Delarrin Turner-Yell’s roster spot after the ACL tear last week. Adkins for Manhertz. Art Green got promoted from the practice squad yesterday and gets a game check, but is not active. — Parker Gabriel

Injury hazard? (12:41 p.m.): Funny you mention that, boss. … I said to someone else in the press box about 20 minutes ago “The turf looks terrible.”

It’s Week 18 with no playoff implications. Let’s try not to compromise any players’ 2024 seasons this afternoon. — Parker Gabriel

Turf woes? (12:36 p.m.): Everyone seems to be up in arms about the turf at Allegiant Stadium. Did the Raiders find a way to screw up fake turf? — Matt Schubert

Russ (12:17 p.m.): Russell Wilson’s out getting his early pregame work on the field here. Quite possibly for the last time with the Broncos. — Parker Gabriel

From Allegiant Stadium (12:03 p.m.): Good morning — well, barely afternoon in the Mountain time zone — from Allegiant Stadium in sunny-but-very-windy Las Vegas. Pristine conditions indoors, of course, where we’ve already had the warm-up work from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and it’s quiet for now.

Nothing of substance on the line today between the Broncos and Raiders as we close out the season, except for a winning season for Denver and the chance to bury a seven-game losing streak against a divisional rival. That could come at the cost of a draft position or two, but head coach Sean Payton says he’s all in on trying to notch win No. 9. — Parker Gabriel

Scouting report (10:24 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Raiders in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report.

Game predictions

Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Raiders 20, Broncos 17

The Broncos are aiming at nine wins and a 4-2 mark in the division rather than the playoffs. Sean Payton says the team is approaching Week 18 just like the team has to win to get into the postseason. Maybe that’ll happen, but the Raiders have won seven straight in this series and are tougher under interim coach Antonio Pierce.

Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Broncos 21, Raiders 14

From starting the season at 1-5 to Sean Payton benching Russell Wilson, the Broncos will end their season on a high note, securing a winning season for the first time since 2016. Jarrett Stidham will perform well enough to stay in the running for Denver’s starting quarterback spot in 2024.

Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 34, Raiders 16

Friends of Sean Payton told us the offense flowed better without Russell Wilson against the Chargers, despite the meager output on the scoreboard. So with one game under his belt, certainly “Sparky” Stidham can lead the Broncos to their highest point production of the season. Right?

Matt Schubert, sports editor: Raiders 20, Broncos 16

Maxx Crosby and Josh Jacobs have consistently been a thorn in Denver’s side during their time with the Raiders. That will again be the case Sunday against former teammate Jarrett Stidham and a Denver run defense that still is far from good. Denver’s string of losing seasons moves to seven.

Broncos-Raiders NFL Week 18: Must-reads

Pat Surtain II has cemented himself as one of the best cornerbacks in NFL. At some point soon, Broncos will have to pay him as such

It didn’t take long during the Broncos’ training camp in 2021 for Christian Parker to realize Pat Surtain II could be special.

A rookie at the time, Surtain had never played any reps at nickel because Parker, in his first year as a defensive backs coach in Denver, didn’t want to overwork him. But when former Broncos cornerback Bryce Callahan was forced to exit practice with an injury, Parker moved Surtain over to nickel. One snap later, Surtain recorded an interception.

Three seasons later, Surtain has proven Parker’s intuition correct. With a rare blend of size (6-foot-2, 202 pounds), athleticism (4.46 seconds in 40-yard dash) and football smarts, Surtain has become one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. The 23-year-old was named a first-team All-Pro in 2022 and selected to his second consecutive Pro Bowl on Wednesday — with even more All-Pro nods expected, Ryan McFadden reports. Read the full story.

Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham on two-game starting stint: “I’m not looking at it as an audition”

When Sean Payton talks about quarterbacks, he often talks about accruing, “flight miles.” Translation: Real, live action. Russell Wilson had that in spades over 12 years and 188 regular-season games as a starter.

Jarrett Stidham entered his first start for the Broncos on Sunday with only two others under his belt, which came last year for Las Vegas. The 69 offensive snaps in a 16-9 win against the Los Angeles Chargers, then, provided critical time at the plane’s controls.

Payton said Monday that, like any player, Stidham’s performance over the final two weeks factor into the evaluation of the team’s future. That’s of particular importance for Stidham considering the likelihood that Denver and Wilson part ways this offseason and the quarterback job here gets thrown wide open, Parker Gabriel reports. Read the full story.

Kiszla: Just lose, baby. If Broncos want best shot to make playoffs next season, winning in Las Vegas is bad idea

Just lose, baby. If Broncos coach Sean Payton is such a football genius, we need to know: Will Payton cut off his stubborn nose to spite his arrogant face?

“We’re trying to win them all,” Payton insists. “We’re trying to win every game we’re playing.”

As insufferable as Payton can be in victory, he’s even more miserable in defeat. But in their NFL season finale against duh hated Rai-duhs, the team that Dirty Al Davis built, your beloved Broncos should be of one mind and a single mantra: Just lose, baby, Mark Kiszla writes. Read the full column.

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