NFL schedule 2020: Biggest game for all 32 teams

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 29: The Denver Broncos huddle against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on December 29, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 16-15. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Denver Broncos: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Most teams in the NFL are easily identifiable as either contenders or pretenders in the middle of a rebuild. The Denver Broncos are probably in the latter category but the way that they have built their team over the past few years has been interesting.

John Elway tried for a quick fix at quarterback by trading for Joe Flacco, but the move backfired. The Broncos eventually turned to Drew Lock, their second-round pick, at quarterback and he flashed some promise down the stretch.

Lock started Denver’s final five games and won three, completing 64.1 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns against just three interceptions. That solid performance appears to have convinced the Broncos that they have their guy and can be a sneaky playoff contender in a pretty wide-open AFC.

Catching the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West is probably too much for the baby Broncos, but the Las Vegas Raiders should be more in line with their weight class. The two teams split the season series with Denver’s win coming in Week 17 with Lock under center.

The Raiders are Denver’s biggest obstacle to a playoff berth right now so taking them down will do wonders for the Broncos’ playoff chances. No one knows what the Raiders’ home-field advantage will be like in Las Vegas so Denver would be well advised to take care of business at Empower Field.

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