Articles by Adam Hill

This season has already been a wild ride for the Raiders (2-3), and they’re just five games into the campaign.
They followed a stunning win in Baltimore on Sept. 15 with a shocking home loss to Carolina on Sept. 22. The Raiders then beat Cleveland on Sept. 29 before losing to a mediocre Broncos team Oct. 6. On top of all that, defensive end Maxx Crosby missed the first game of his career with an ankle injury, prized free agent Christian Wilkins is on injured reserve with a foot injury and star wide receiver Davante Adams appears on his way out. Oh, and the Raiders are making a switch at quarterback. Other than that, not much to see. This week, the Steelers (3-2) are coming to Las Vegas and their fans are expected to fill up Allegiant Stadium.
Game information
■ Who: Steelers at Raiders
■ When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday
■ Where: Allegiant Stadium
■ TV: CBS (Ian Eagle, play-by-play; Charles Davis, analyst)
■ Radio: KRLV-AM (920), KOMP-FM (92.3) (Jason Horowitz, play-by-play; Lincoln Kennedy, analyst)
■ Line: Steelers -3, total 36½
Series history
The Raiders and Steelers, two of the AFC’s most historic franchises, have met 32 times. Several of those meetings are some of the NFL’s most memorable games.
The Raiders hold a 17-15 edge in the rivalry, though they have dropped the last two matchups.
The teams met three straight years in the AFC title game from 1974-76, with the Steelers winning two out of three times. The clubs have split their six playoff matchups overall, including Pittsburgh’s famous victory in the “Immaculate Reception” game in 1972.
Last meeting
Sept. 24, 2023 — The Terrible Towels were waving as Pittsburgh fans invaded Allegiant Stadium for the first time last season. They watched their Steelers pull out a 23-18 victory.
Adams gave the Raiders an early 7-0 lead after catching a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Pittsburgh responded with a 72-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kenny Pickett to wide receiver Calvin Austin, starting a 23-0 run for the Steelers.
Adams scored another touchdown for the Raiders in the fourth quarter as part of a 13-catch, 172-yard performance. That cut the team’s deficit to 23-15. Coach Josh McDaniels then elected to kick a 26-yard field goal with 2:22 remaining to make the score 23-18, rather than trying for a potential game-tying touchdown. The Raiders didn’t get the ball back until there were 12 seconds left on the clock. Garoppolo threw an interception to end the game.
Bold predictions
1. The Raiders will break the NFL’s third-longest active kickoff return touchdown drought. They haven’t had one since 2011.
2. Crosby and T.J. Watt will each record two sacks as they try to one-up each other.
3. Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker will equal or surpass his career high of seven receptions in a game.
Storyline
The Raiders, despite all the drama in their first month of the season, have a golden opportunity to get back to .500 on Sunday.
They will turn to second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell to make it happen.
O’Connell was steady as a rookie, but couldn’t beat out veteran Gardner Minshew in training camp. He’s getting another opportunity now after some uneven performances by Minshew.
One thing O’Connell won’t get in his first start is much of a home-field advantage. Steelers fans represented significantly more than half the crowd last year at Allegiant Stadium and things probably won’t be much different this time around.
One thing that has changed is the quarterback questions Pittsburgh is dealing with.
Justin Fields has done well filling in for Russell Wilson, who has yet to play this season because of a calf injury. Wilson is getting healthy, however, raising questions about who should start moving forward.
When the Steelers have the ball
The Raiders are preparing for both Steelers quarterbacks, but they’re operating under the belief that Fields will remain the starter.
That means they’ll have to be prepared for an extra ball carrier on the field at all times. Fields is a huge threat to make a big play with his legs. The 25-year-old has made strides as a passer this season as well. He is still inconsistent at times, but he can win a game with his arm.
The Raiders also know they need to focus on stopping running back Najee Harris. Tackling is going to be a major point of emphasis this week after the team missed several against the Broncos.
“There has to be a plan,” defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said. “There has to be a tackling plan, no different than a game plan. With a man of (Harris’) size, a man of his production, and I don’t want to say stubbornness, but they’re going to run the ball. They’re not going to abandon it. And that comes from the identity of the organization, the identity of the head coach, the identity of the offensive coordinator, who all three levels I have a ton of respect for what they do.
“It’s a tough team that comes in. It’s a hard-hat game like (coach Antonio Pierce) talks about. You’ve got to be ready for that.”
When the Raiders have the ball
Minshew wasn’t the team’s biggest problem, but his pick six against the Broncos last week changed the game.
So it’s O’Connell getting the start this week. The switch should change what the offense looks like. Minshew was patient and often preferred to make plays with his legs. O’Connell is more decisive and trusts his arm. There are pros and cons to both approaches, but the Raiders are hoping shaking things up will give them a spark.
It won’t be easy with Adams out with a hamstring injury for the third straight week. The Raiders will need other pass catchers to step up in his absence.
Rookie tight end Brock Bowers continues to impress and should be a matchup problem even against a great defense like the Steelers’. He should get a lot of targets, because there isn’t much reason to believe the Raiders will be able to run the ball against Pittsburgh.
Injury report
■ Steelers: OUT: LOLB Nick Herbig (hamstring), ROLB Alex Highsmith (groin), S Damontae Kazee (ankle), DT DeMarvin Leal (neck), TE MyCole Pruitt (knee), RB Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: RB Jaylen Warren (knee). FULL: S Minkah Fitzpatrick (rest), TE Pat Freiermuth (calf), RB Najee Harris (rest), DT Cameron Heyward (rest), DE Larry Ogunjobi (rest), LG Isaac Seumalo (rest), LOLB T.J. Watt (rest), QB Russell Wilson (calf).
■ Raiders: OUT: WR Davante Adams (hamstring), TE Michael Mayer (personal). QUESTIONABLE: MLB Tommy Eichenberg (hamstring), WR Jakobi Meyers (ankle), RT Thayer Munford Jr. (knee/ankle), LG Jackson Powers-Johnson (knee), S Trey Taylor (knee), RB Zamir White (groin). LIMITED: DE Maxx Crosby (ankle). FULL: OLB Divine Deablo (oblique). WR Tyreik McAllister (shoulder), LT Kolton Miller (knee/shoulder), S Tre’von Moehrig (knee), RG Dylan Parham (Achilles), CB Decamerion Richardson (hamstring), WR DJ Turner (hamstring).
The pick
Steelers 20, Raiders 13
Adam Hill Las Vegas Review-Journal […]

The Raiders (2-3) have plenty to be concerned about within their own organization. But their opponent this week should provide them with several additional problems as well.
The Steelers (3-2) will bring their fearsome defense to Allegiant Stadium on Sunday as well as their passionate fans. Their offense also has several weapons that should allow them to attack the Raiders in a variety of ways.

Here are three things to know about Pittsburgh:
1. Picture of stability
The Raiders seem to churn through coaches and front-office leaders like a family of eight goes through gallons of milk. Antonio Pierce is already the team’s third full-time coach since it moved to Las Vegas in 2020.
The Steelers, on the other hand, prefer a more patient approach. Mike Tomlin has been the coach since 2007. Just two other men have held that position in Pittsburgh since 1969. That stability has allowed the Steelers to be consistently competitive that entire time.
Tomlin is 176-102-2 with the Steelers and has never had a losing season. He’s well-respected around the NFL and helped lead Pittsburgh to victory in Super Bowl 43.
“When I was playing, he was coaching,” Pierce said. “And he’s been winning. He just wins. He wins. I know we always judge him on championships, but each and every year to have a winning season, to get a team ready to play their style of play, their identity, right? You know what Steeler football looks like. That’s hats off to him.”
2. Familiar faces at QB
Justin Fields has done an admirable job as the Steelers’ starting quarterback through five weeks with Russell Wilson battling a calf injury.
Wilson is getting healthier, however. That could leave Pittsburgh with a decision to make.
The Raiders should be familiar with both quarterbacks no matter which direction the Steelers go. They faced Wilson three times the previous two seasons when he was the Broncos starter and went 3-0 against him. Fields played under Raiders offensive coordinator Luke Getsy the last two years in Chicago.
The team’s defensive coaches have picked Getsy’s brain this week as they prepare their game plan.
“He is an incredible guy,” Getsy said of Fields. “I mean, just an incredible competitor, great teammate. I can only imagine that those guys love playing for him.”
Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham said the team is preparing for both Fields and Wilson.
“It’s our job to be prepared for all scenarios,” Graham said. “But that’s really not different from any week. To the extent maybe (it’s different), but us as a coaching staff, we’ve got to know what could happen. It’s a collision sport. We’ve got to make sure we know what could happen if one of the quarterbacks go down. So, we’ve got to be responsible and make sure we cover all bases right there.”
3. Dominant defender
The Raiders offense will have to be constantly aware of where edge rusher T.J. Watt is on the field. The 2021 defensive player of the year is one of the NFL’s most disruptive players.
“I have the ultimate respect for him,” Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said. “He’s a hell of a player.”
Ordinarily, the Raiders offensive line would prepare for a challenge like Watt by going up against Crosby in practice. But the 27-year-old hasn’t been able to get on the field much the last three weeks while dealing with a high-ankle sprain.
Watt is a difficult opponent no matter how ready a team feels to face him. He has at least one sack in four of the Steelers’ five games this season and recently became the second-fastest player in NFL history to record his 100th sack. He is also the only player who has led the league in sacks three times since they became an official statistic in 1982.
Watt isn’t the only difficult Pittsburgh player to block, either.
He’s one of two defensive linemen in the NFL that have earned an 80 grade as both a run defender and a pass rusher by the website Pro Football Focus. The other is his teammate Cameron Heyward.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X. […]

Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler knows the foot injury that landed star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on injured reserve means a big opportunity for him.
He was also relieved to find out he wasn’t the cause of the injury.
Butler was told by teammate John Jenkins after Sunday’s 34-18 loss to the Broncos that a popular theory circulating on social media was that Wilkins was injured when Butler jumped on him while celebrating a sack late in the second quarter.
“It’s just simply not true,” Butler said. “I went to Christian and talked to him, and he said, ‘No, it definitely wasn’t you.’ I’m not going to speak on his injury, but I can assure you that I did not hurt Christian.”
Wilkins was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery for a Jones fracture in his left foot and probably will miss more than the minimum four games.
The injury appeared to occur on a second-and-38 play early in the second quarter on a swing pass to Jaleel McLaughlin. Wilkins forced McLaughlin back inside, but appeared to injure his foot on the play.
Wilkins limped off the field and missed some time before returning later in the second quarter. That’s when Wilkins recorded a sack and was dancing when Butler ran toward him and jumped on his teammate. Wilkins limped away from the celebration and played two more snaps before heading to the locker room.
That sequence led to speculation about how the injury occurred, but evidence appears to exonerate Butler, who said Wilkins had jumped on him in celebration of a sack in the previous game.

#Raiders star DT Christian Wilkins is reportedly being placed on IR after undergoing surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his foot.
Was Wilkins injured in this sack celebration Sunday, tackled by teammate Adam Butler in the final minutes of Q2? He wouldn’t return after half. 😬 pic.twitter.com/Rq4oiOgjZo
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) October 8, 2024

“So on Sunday, I said I’m going to make sure I don’t hurt him, which is why I went sort of over the top rather than straight up jumping on him,” Butler said. “It was just a friendly brotherhood thing where he did it to me last game, so it’s my chance to get him this game. Just messing around.
“I pretty much knew all along that I wasn’t the cause, but, yes, when he told me himself that he was dealing with this already before that play, it was a relief.”
Butler will be one of the players asked to pick up the slack beginning Sunday when the Steelers visit Allegiant Stadium.
“It is a big opportunity,” he said. “For me personally, I think I perform best when my back is against the wall, and I think all of our backs are against the wall.”
Promotions
The Raiders signed defensive tackle Matthew Butler from the practice squad to take Wilkins’ spot on the active roster.
Butler was a third-round pick of the organization in 2022 and has played in eight career games. He takes great pride knowing he has stuck with one organization and is only out-tenured by two members of the defensive line.
“To stick around for that period of time, whether it’s practice squad or active roster, is a feat on its own,” he said. “So I really do appreciate the vote of confidence and trust I’ve gotten from (coaches).”
The Raiders also added defensive tackle Zach Carter to the practice squad. A third-round pick of the Bengals in 2022, he has started 16 of the 37 games in which he has appeared.
Offensive lineman Ben Brown was signed off the Raiders’ practice squad to the Patriots’ active roster.
Injury report
The Raiders again listed 16 players on their injury report Thursday, including another nonparticipation for star defensive end Maxx Crosby. He said he’s planning to play Sunday despite a high-ankle sprain.
Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (hamstring) was downgraded from limited to nonparticipation. Starting left tackle Kolton Miller (knee, shoulder) got in a limited session after missing Wednesday’s practice.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) and rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (knee) missed practice again.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X. […]

Wide receiver Davante Adams is still playing for the Raiders, as far as coach Antonio Pierce is concerned.
“He’s never not been a Raider,” Pierce said Wednesday. “The update is Davante is doing well and the hamstring is getting there.”
Adams has missed the Raiders’ last two games with a hamstring injury. He has also indicated he would prefer to be traded from the team.
Neither he nor the Raiders have confirmed publicly that a split is inevitable. Pierce appeared to keep the door open to a reconciliation Wednesday.
“He’s getting closer and closer to getting back on the practice field and (he’s in) good spirits. We talked. Everything is good,” Pierce said. “When he’s healthy and he can play, we’ll play him. … He’s working every day to get that hamstring right. He’s in the right headspace mentally. Like I said, we talked recently and had a good conversation and he’s ready to play football.”
Pierce’s comments were much different than the ones he offered Monday. He called the situation with Adams “status quo” and told reporters they would “have to ask Davante” about when the relationship between the two turned sour.
Pierce even confirmed Wednesday that Adams has been in the Raiders’ facility rehabbing his hamstring injury.
Adams was listed as a non-participant in practice on the team’s injury report Wednesday. He is not expected to play Sunday against the Steelers whether he remains on the Raiders’ roster or not.
Wilkins on IR
The Raiders placed standout defensive tackle Christian Wilkins on injured reserve Wednesday after he had surgery to repair a Jones fracture in his foot.
Pierce said the team’s injuries are starting to become frustrating. The Raiders had 16 players listed on their injury report Wednesday. That group doesn’t include defensive end Malcolm Koonce and safety Marcus Epps, who are both out for the year with knee injuries.
“I’m tired of losing good players,” Pierce said. “That’s never good.”
Wilkins is an especially difficult loss. The 28-year-old, who signed a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders in March, was a disruptive force on the interior that offenses needed to account for every snap.
“(Wilkins is) a dynamic player,” defensive tackle Adam Butler said. “He really is. You always know he’s going to make a few huge plays every game. We all just have to be prepared to step up every way we can and that’s what we plan to do.”
Pierce said the injury came at a frustrating time because Wilkins was playing so well Oct. 6 against the Broncos. He had a sack and five tackles before leaving in the second quarter.
“Up to that point Christian was pretty dominant in that first half,” Pierce said. “He played on it. That’s a really tough (player) there. And Christian right away went and got it fixed, and he was there this morning at 6 a.m. trying to get ready, talking about being back in a couple weeks.”
Injury report
Star defensive end Maxx Crosby did not participate in Wednesday’s practice as he continues to deal with a high-ankle sprain. He missed two practices last week before working out on a limited basis Friday and playing against the Broncos.
Linebacker Divine Deablo (oblique) was a full participant in practice Wednesday after missing three straight games.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) and rookie left guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (knee) didn’t practice Wednesday, though they were both in the locker room and in good spirits after the workout.
Tight end Michael Mayer (personal) remains away from the team.
Transactions
Defensive tackle Marquan McCall rejoined the Raiders’ practice squad Wednesday.
McCall made the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and played in 16 games. He signed to the Raiders’ practice squad in December, but was released near the end of training camp this season.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X. […]

Describing the Raiders’ season as a roller coaster has probably become a cliche by this point.
But it continues to be so accurate.
The Raiders have followed up every win this season with an ugly loss. They beat the Browns 20-16 at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 29, then were blown out by a mediocre Broncos team in Denver on Sunday.

The loss was mystifying because the Raiders started well. They scored their first opening-drive touchdown of the year and were on the verge of taking a 17-3 lead before disaster struck in the form of a pick-6 from quarterback Gardner Minshew.
It was all downhill from there.
Here’s a closer look at how things came crashing down:
Putting it into perspective
The Raiders had an eight-game winning streak against the Broncos before Sunday. They had won every meeting between the two AFC West rivals since relocating to Las Vegas.
That streak is now a thing of the past.
The defeat represents more than just one loss for the Raiders. It showed their struggles when facing adversity.
The Raiders were playing by far their best game of the season before Minshew’s interception. It was concerning that the team appeared to just completely fall apart afterwards.
The offense became tentative. The defense started to miss tackles. The Raiders have to find a way to overcome plays like that, even if they occur early in a game.
Star of the game
This is an easy call.
Rookie tight end Brock Bowers was phenomenal Sunday. He had eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown and could have had more. He was constantly open.
Bowers looks like the Raiders’ best option in the passing game at this point. He could draw plenty of extra attention in the coming weeks with star wide receiver Davante Adams injured and seeking a trade out of town.
The touchdown was Bowers’ first in the NFL. It came in the first quarter when he jumped and fought off safety P.J. Locke to come down with the football at the Broncos’ 35-yard line. Bowers then raced down the sideline for a 57-yard touchdown.
It was an impressive catch, but what turned it into a score was wide receiver’s Tre Tucker’s blocking downfield. Tucker screened off cornerback Pat Surtain II, the player who picked off Minshew, and cleared the way for Bowers to jog into the end zone.
Play of the game
The play that swung the game was Minshew’s pick.
Bowers had just set the team up with a first-and-goal at the 5-yard line after an 8-yard reception. He appeared to be wide open again the next play after leaking out into the left flat.
Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers ran a route five yards behind Bowers that drew a cluster of defenders. Tucker was behind Myeres and appeared headed towards the corner.
Minshew rolled out to his left and tried to throw to Bowers for what should have been an easy touchdown. But he made a critical mistake.
“I just overthrew him,” Minshew said.
Some credit for the miss goes to Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss, who jumped in Minshew’s direction as the ball was being released. Minshew tried to loft the ball over Elliss’s outstretched hands and ended up floating it well over Bowers’ head.
Surtain, who was covering Meyers, caught the ball and immediately started upfield for a 100-yard touchdown.
Minshew did his best to stop Surtain. He engaged with Elliss and tried to get off the block and make a play, but the two ended up tumbling to the field.
Drive of the game
The Raiders’ best possession didn’t even result in a touchdown.
The team took over at its own 10-yard line with a 7-0 lead for its second drive of the game. The Raiders went 68 yards on 14 plays and set up kicker Daniel Carlson for a 40-yard field goal.
The team converted a pair of third downs on the drive. Minshew, who completed all five of his passes for 30 yards that possession, picked up one with his legs after running for 11 yards on a third-and-9.
What were they thinking?
Raiders punter AJ Cole is the best in the game. But coach Antonio Pierce has become far too willing to send him onto the field.
Pierce elected to punt facing a fourth-and-2 from Denver’s 42-yard line in the second quarter with the two teams tied 10-10. That drive was an opportunity for the Raiders to seize control of the game again after Minshew’s mistake.
Instead, Cole punted and pinned the Broncos at their own 3-yard line. But it was another questionable fourth-down decision by Pierce.
Observations
■ Meyers played well as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver with Adams out.
Meyers finished with six catches for 72 yards and got open more often than those numbers indicate. He also blocked well.
■ Left tackle Kolton Miller, who missed almost all of training camp while recovering from shoulder surgery, continues to round into form.
Miller looked rusty to start the year, but he had probably his best game of the season Sunday.
■ Defensive end Maxx Crosby returned against the Broncos after missing the first game of his career Sept. 29 with an ankle injury, but it was clear he wasn’t 100 percent.
Crosby recorded two sacks and was consistently disruptive, yet there were other plays where he wasn’t able to make much of an impact. He also sat out an uncharacteristic 11 defensive snaps.
■ Rookie linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, a fifth-round pick in April’s draft, struggled in his first career start. Eichenberg was slow to react at times and didn’t consistently get where he needed to go.
Third-year safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, on the other hand, continues to thrive in place of the injured Marcus Epps.
Looking ahead
The Raiders host the Steelers and Pittsburgh’s fearsome defense this week.
The matchup may look bad on paper, but there could be a silver lining. If the roller coaster continues, this is a game the Raiders are supposed to win.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.

Up next
Who: Steelers at Raiders
When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday
Where: Allegiant Stadium
TV: CBS
Radio: KRLV-AM (920), KOMP-FM (92.3)
Line: Steelers -3; total 37 […]

DENVER — Raiders star Maxx Crosby may have been dealing with an ankle injury this week, but his ears were working just fine.
He didn’t like what he heard.
Crosby returned to action Sunday after missing the first game of his career last week against the Browns. He recorded two sacks against the Broncos and then fired back at former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, who suggested there was possible discord between Crosby and coach Antonio Pierce during an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” earlier this week.
“If you speak for me and you know what’s going on, then we can have a conversation,” Crosby said. “But don’t speak on my name when you don’t know what the hell is going on.”
Crosby was upset that Lombardi — whose son Mick was the Raiders offensive coordinator from 2022 until midway through last season — insinuated he didn’t attend the Browns game while inactive because there was friction between him and Pierce.
“That bothers me,” Lombardi said on the show. “That tells me there’s something going on in the locker room.
“There seems to be more than one disconnect. Crosby has always been the team guy, but when he doesn’t show up to a game, that tells me something without knowing something.”
Crosby said it was difficult to stay away from his teammates, but he did what he thought was best to make sure he returned as soon as possible. He said he was going crazy watching his teammates compete without him, but it was easier because the Raiders won.
His joy proved to be short-lived.
“Then I have to hear these clowns talking online and talking on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ saying something is going on,” Crosby said. “These clowns are sitting on a couch talking about what I should be doing. When the reality is I’m gaining yardage and trying to get right so I can get back on the field. Everyone knows my intentions but they try to speak for me.
“But don’t speak about me when you don’t know what’s going on and you’re speaking for me or speaking about the organization. ‘Oh, something must be going on with Maxx.’ Come on, bro. You know where I want to be. You think I want to be anywhere else? No. I have this (expletive) tatted on my body. I don’t want to go anywhere.”
Lombardi’s comments came at the end of a question about Davante Adams, who made it clear he would prefer to be traded from the Raiders this week.
Crosby said while many players or teams may struggle to deal with that kind of situation, he’s been through so many things in Las Vegas that he just considers it another bump in the road.
“You think I’m not used to this (expletive)?” Crosby said. “It is what it is. I’ve been dealing with it my whole career. Davante is my boy and I love Davante. And he’s going to do what he’s going to do. I wish him the best. He’s not healthy right now and he’s got to get healthy, but we’re focused on the Raiders. We’re focused on who’s here now and we’re focused on winning. We have to find ways to do that.”
Crosby said he’s still not 100 percent, but he looked better than he did in the Raiders’ 36-22 loss to the Panthers on Sept. 22. He said, in hindsight, he should have considered sitting that game out.
“I wasn’t going to let anyone tell me I wasn’t playing against Carolina even though I was fresh off the sprain,” Crosby said. “I had to feel that for myself. I didn’t want to feel like that ever again on the field. I didn’t feel like myself and I felt like in certain situations I was hurting the team and that’s tough.
“It’s another test. I’m constantly getting tested. I feel like it’s the story of my life. But I love it and I live for it. We’ll be good.”
Crosby said he didn’t do any additional damage to his ankle Sunday.
Bowers finds the end zone
Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers scored his first NFL touchdown with a splashy play on Sunday’s opening drive, going up high to secure a long pass from Gardner Minshew before turning and running down the sideline for a 57-yard score.
He even got to keep the ball thanks to some quick thinking from DJ Turner.
“I wasn’t even thinking about it so I just tossed it on the ground and then I think DJ grabbed it,” Bowers said. “I’ll probably take it home now and sit it on a shelf somewhere.
Bowers credited Tre Tucker’s downfield blocking for making the run after the catch more of a leisurely jog to paydirt.
“I just see the ball and catch the ball. He did a great job and kind of sprung it,” said Bowers, who also credited Minshew’s throw. “It was cool. All I did was jump up and catch it. I just wish we could have won.”
Bowers said he still hadn’t seen a replay because he was swarmed by teammates after the score and wasn’t able to look up on the screen or grab a tablet.
The score was part of a big day for Bowers, who had eight catches for 97 yards.
He now has 28 catches on the year, the second-most by a rookie tight end through five games in NFL history, behind only Keith Jackson’s 29. Bowers joins Amari Cooper as the only players in franchise history with at least 300 yards in his first five career games.
Thriving on third
Second-year cornerback Jakorian Bennett recorded his sixth pass breakup of the season, tied for fifth in the league.
He has been particularly good on third down where his five passes defensed lead the league.
“We just have to get off the field and it’s my job to help us do that,” he said. “I just rely on my training and my fundamentals. I’m not trying to go out there and do too much, just doing my job and letting the plays come to me.”
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X. […]

DENVER — Here are three takeaways from the Raiders’ 34-18 loss to the Broncos on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High:
1. What happened?
Everything was going so well for the Raiders. Until it wasn’t.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew completed his first nine passing attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown. Then, with the Raiders facing a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line, he floated a throw too high for rookie tight end Brock Bowers into the end zone.
Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II snagged the football and ran 100 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.

A 100 YARD PICK 6!! @PatSurtainll pic.twitter.com/Xh3CG05U9J
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

The Raiders, instead of building on their 10-3 lead, found themselves in a tie game despite dominating the first 20 minutes of action.
The Broncos seized control from there. They ended up scoring 34 unanswered points, as Minshew completed just three of his final eight passing attempts and threw another interception.
Backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell was inserted into the game in the third quarter and could not stop the bleeding. The Raiders went three-and-out his first drive and O’Connell threw an interception his second.
Minshew’s first interception was like a haymaker from a heavyweight. The Raiders never recovered.
2. One star returns, another exits
The Raiders were thrilled to have star defensive end Maxx Crosby back Sunday after he missed the first game of his career last week due to a high-ankle sprain.
Crosby, who practiced on a limited basis Friday, looked good for most of the game.
The 27-year-old had a pair of sacks and three tackles despite not looking fully healthy. He certainly had more of an impact than he did during the Raiders’ 36-22 loss to Carolina on Sept. 22, when he was clearly playing through pain.
It wasn’t all good news on the injury front, however.
Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins left Sunday’s game late in the first half with a foot injury and didn’t return. He was a disruptive force before that, recording five tackles and a sack.
The Raiders’ defense struggled after Wilkins left the game.
3. Streak snapped
The Raiders had won eight straight against the Broncos before Sunday’s game. They were undefeated against their AFC West rivals since moving to Las Vegas.
That run of domination is over.
The winning streak featured all different kind of victories. It started with a 37-12 blowout in the first-ever meeting between the two teams at Allegiant Stadium on Nov. 15, 2020. The Raiders won the second matchup that season when running back Josh Jacobs scored a touchdown in the final minute and quarterback Derek Carr hit tight end Darren Waller for a game-winning 2-point conversion.
The team earned another wild win Nov. 20, 2022. Kicker Daniel Carlson tied the game with a field goal in the final minute and then Carr hit wide receiver Davante Adams for a 35-yard touchdown in overtime.
The two meetings between the teams last season were also memorable. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo earned a 17-16 win in his Raiders debut in Denver on Sept. 10, 2023, hitting wide receiver Jakobi Meyers midway through the fourth quarter for what proved to be the game-winning score.
The season then ended with a 27-14 win at Allegiant Stadium on Jan. 7 that ended with fans chanting for then-interim coach Antonio Pierce, who earned the full-time job less than two weeks later.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X. […]

It’s probably not a good idea to start a column with the acknowledgement of how few people will care about the subject at hand.
Even less will agree with the side of the issue being presented.
But there are some wild internet takes about the NFL Players Association’s latest efforts to get media out of the locker rooms that are so off base that it becomes necessary to at least lay out some of the details so the discussion can be properly framed.
The players association this week has started a push for its members to request that interviews during the practice week be conducted outside the locker room. The locker rooms will remain open for media to request the interviews, for now, but the union is asking players to then step outside the locker room to conduct them. It’s completely within their rights and has been a clear part of the NFL’s media policy for a long time.
The players just haven’t often exercised this option, because it’s quite inconvenient for them to get up and exit the locker room each time they are requested. Most players would prefer to just sit at their lockers and do the interviews, if they have to do them at all.
It quickly became clear this was simply a gambit to gain some traction in a longer-term agenda to banish media completely.
Immediate reaction poured into social media when the NFLPA put out a statement, and probably 90 percent was in support of the players.
Most of the comments, however, referred to postgame locker room interviews. That’s not really what this is about, at least not at this point. The current discussion centers on the 45 minutes per day players are obligated to be available after practice.
On the surface, that public support is to be expected. Especially the way the argument is being presented and the immediate ire that is already drawn just by the mere mention of the evil word “media.”
Already a policy
It’s incredibly easy to choose sides if the discourse is, “Should the media be hanging around and interviewing naked players?” That’s precisely why the NFLPA is presenting this as a privacy issue.
But that’s not the actual debate. Players are well-aware of when the media will be present. There are several options to ensure privacy, including robes and changing under towels or even in the shower area. This is even addressed in the media policy.
“If the locker room is open to the media immediately following practice, the club must screen the shower area from view and distribute appropriate clothing, e.g. wrap-around towels or robes, for player privacy,” the policy reads. “Clubs must submit to the league office as part of the 2024 Media Access Plan their plan to ensure player privacy during the practice week open locker room sessions.”
It’s better for everyone, and players absolutely have a right to feel comfortable, as do media members doing their job. As someone who has covered many locker rooms in several sports, I’m not sure anyone has ever actually wanted to be present when players are openly changing.
It’s just not a real thing. It’s a red herring to try to turn a complex argument into a simple one.
But it really is a complicated issue.
The locker room is open during that time not just for direct interviews, but also as a way for media members to build rapport with the subjects they cover every day — to better tell people who they are, generate future story ideas and get a gauge on what is really going on with a team to relay that to fans.
Sports are about far more than just the games. It’s about the people who play them.
It’s the ultimate reality show, and the ability to dig deeper is part of what has made the NFL such big business. It’s why the league has been so resistant to cut access.
Could a compromise be reached by players to instead sit in a separate room at individual spots for 45 minutes after practice each day to exclusively do media? Sure. Let’s do that. But players will never go for it. Again, it’s not actually about privacy.
Now some changes can probably be made. Cellphone cameras weren’t really a thing when these policies were written. They have also been the main culprit in some of the rare instances of nudity reaching the internet.
The number of people credentialed has also increased exponentially, meaning many people without actual training or understanding of the locker room dynamic are present.
These things can be addressed, and probably should.
But restricting direct access to players isn’t a good thing for media or fans. Or players, many of whom are not in support of such a drastic move.
Better for everyone
The media was out of the locker room during the COVID seasons, and the results were noticeable. Press conferences don’t yield anywhere near the same level of depth. Not even comparable.
There was far less storytelling, and the reporting was far less personable. Fans actually do tend to show less interest and empathy for players they don’t get the ability to know by learning their stories.
That’s not my opinion. It was one shared by multiple players and league personnel who shared their thoughts on this issue in recent days. In the locker room.
They also pointed out there was no accountability for media members who could just say or write whatever they wanted without having to face the players each day.
Nobody is changing their mind on this, and that’s fine. It’s understandable if you don’t believe media having access to players is an important part of your viewing experience.
But please frame the argument the right way.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X. […]

Two teams with 2-2 records meet Sunday for the chance to remain in the thick of the playoff chase in the topsy-turvy AFC. The Raiders, despite all sorts of drama, have found a way to reach .500. The Broncos looked dreadful their first two weeks, then beat the Buccaneers and the Jets on the road. What that means for Sunday’s game is anyone’s guess. It should be an interesting matchup between two AFC West rivals.

Game information
■ Who: Raiders at Broncos
■ When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday
■ Where: Empower Field at Mile High
■ TV: Fox (Kevin Kugler, play-by-play; Daryl Johnston, analyst)
■ Radio: KRLV-AM (920), KOMP-FM (92.3) (Jason Horowitz, play-by-play; Lincoln Kennedy, analyst)
■ Line: Broncos -3, total 36
Series history
The Raiders have dominated this rivalry of late. They’ve won eight straight meetings with the Broncos as well as 10 of the last 11 matchups.
The Raiders lead the all-time series 73-54-2, which includes two playoff games in 1978 and 1994.
Last meeting
Jan. 7 — The two teams ended their last campaigns against each other, both assured of missing the playoffs.
The Raiders still fought hard in what appeared to be an effort to get interim coach Antonio Pierce hired full time. The Broncos seemed ready to hit the beach. The result was a 27-14 victory for the Raiders that ended with fans chanting “AP” as Pierce left Allegiant Stadium.
He was hired Jan. 19.
Quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders, while running back Zamir White added 112 yards on the ground.
Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham, facing his former team, threw for 272 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked five times and put under constant duress.
The Raiders didn’t commit a single penalty in the win. They became the first team to accomplish that feat in multiple games in a single season since the 2013 Patriots. The Raiders also didn’t commit a penalty in their 31-17 loss to the Chiefs on Nov. 26.
Bold predictions
1. Running back Alexander Mattison will be the first Raiders player to pick up 100 rushing yards in a game this season.
2. Rookie linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, in his first NFL start, will force a fumble.
3. The game’s first touchdown will come on defense or special teams.
Storyline
This game, despite coming early in the season, could be pivotal for both teams.
The Raiders want to build off their 20-16 win against the Browns last week and show they have what it takes to remain competitive. The Broncos want to keep things rolling after back-to-back wins.
Whoever wins can feel good about where they stand five weeks into the season.
When the Broncos have the ball
Denver is 27th in yards per game (266) and passing yards per game (159.8). They’re 28th in points per game (15.5).
Yet, somehow, they’re 2-2 through four weeks.
Coach Sean Payton continues to be optimistic about quarterback Bo Nix, the 12th overall pick in April’s draft, despite some ups and downs. Nix was solid in Weeks 2 and 3 before throwing for just 60 yards last week against the Jets. He’s played with a great deal of caution, as his average depth of target of 3.1 yards is tied for 37th in the NFL.
Much of the talk in the Broncos’ building this week has been about getting tight end Greg Dulcich more involved. He has just five catches for 28 yards this season.
When the Raiders have the ball
The Raiders moved the ball fairly well against the Browns despite the fact that star wide receiver Davante Adams — who made it clear this week he would prefer a trade from the organization — was out with a hamstring injury.
The team got its running game going by testing Cleveland on the perimeter. The Raiders became the first team since the 2010 Jets to have two wide receivers score a rushing touchdown in the same game.
Expect that creativity to continue.
The Raiders will lean on wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and continue to find ways to put the ball in the hands of rookie tight end Brock Bowers. Their biggest obstacle will be limiting a Broncos pass rush that has 16 sacks this season, the second most in the NFL behind the Vikings (17).
“Up front, they do a really nice job,” offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. “They put a lot of pressure on you. They make you block a lot of one-on-ones. So, they don’t let you just sit there and slide to people. They put a lot of pressure on you and stress on you and you’ve got to stand up to it. They’ve done an excellent job, really for the last season and a half now, so they definitely pose a problem for us and we’re excited to take on that challenge.”
Injury report
■ Raiders: OUT: WR Davante Adams (hamstring), OLB Luke Masterson (knee), TE Michael Mayer (personal), RT Thayer Munford Jr. (knee/ankle), CB Decamerion Richardson (hamstring), S Trey Taylor (knee), RB Zamir White (groin). QUESTIONABLE: DE Maxx Crosby (ankle), OLB Divine Deablo (oblique), OLB Kana’i Mauga (calf), WR Tyreik McAllister (shoulder), RG Dylan Parham (Achilles). LIMITED: TE Brock Bowers (hip), QB Aidan O’Connell (toe). FULL: CB Jakorian Bennett (shoulder), LT Kolton Miller (knee/shoulder), S Isaiah Pola-Mao (personal), LG Cody Whitehair (chest).
■ Broncos: OUT: RB Tyler Badie (back). FULL: WR Josh Reynolds (foot), S JL Skinner (ankle), LCB Tremon Smith (hand).
The pick
Broncos 23, Raiders 17
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.
Adam Hill Las Vegas Review-Journal […]

The Raiders listed seven players as out for Sunday’s game on their final injury report Friday.
Star defensive end Maxx Crosby wasn’t among them.

Crosby, who missed the first game of his career last week with an ankle injury, practiced on a limited basis Friday and was given a questionable tag ahead of Sunday’s game against the Broncos in Denver.
Coach Antonio Pierce, when asked about Crosby’s availability before Friday’s practice, said “we’ll see what he can do today.”
Crosby was not available for comment Friday. He said on his satellite radio show earlier this week he was hopeful he could play Sunday.
Wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring), linebacker Luke Masterson (knee), tight end Michael Mayer (personal), right tackle Thayer Munford Jr. (knee/ankle), rookie cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring), rookie safety Trey Taylor (knee) and running back Zamir White (groin) were ruled out Friday.
Right guard Dylan Parham (Achilles), wide receiver Tyreik McAllister (shoulder) and linebackers Divine Deablo (oblique) and Kana’i Mauga (calf) are considered questionable. All practiced on a limited basis Friday.
“It’s Week 5 in the National Football League,” Pierce said. “Just like everybody else, we’re battling, and we’ll see come Sunday who’s ready to go.”
On to Denver
Pierce said the situation with Adams, who appears to have played his last game for the Raiders, is not a distraction.
Adams has made it clear he prefers a trade from the organization. Pierce said he is allowing general manager Tom Telesco and the Raiders front office to sort things out. His attention is on the players that will be in uniform Sunday.
“I’m focused on the Denver Broncos,” Pierce said. “Getting my team ready, prepared to play. We’re excited about that. We’re ready for it. So, everything else will handle itself. I’ll handle the grass. Telesco will handle everything else.”
Increased role for rookie
Pierce said rookie linebacker Tommy Eichenberg will start Sunday with Masterson out.
“I think Tommy’s coming along,” Pierce said. “He’s a good complement to (linebacker) Robert Spillane. He’s really good for our defense. Smart kid. He’s hard-nosed, so we’ll go out there, he’ll make some rookie mistakes, but he does play 100 miles per hour.”
Eichenberg, a fifth-round pick out of Ohio State, has seen his playing time increase the last couple of weeks. He’s confident he can take on an expanded role.
“I’m ready,” Eichenberg said. “I’m coming along every day and learning something new every day. I just want to keep growing and keep learning. I really just want to help the team win. That’s all.”
‘Above the radar’
Defensive tackle Adam Butler said in training camp he was tired of being unheralded and underappreciated.
He didn’t want to just be the kind of player that gets compliments in the film room. He wanted to be discussed on all the sports talk shows.
He feels he’s starting to get there. He played 85 percent of the Raiders’ defensive snaps last week against the Browns and had a career-high six tackles.
“I’m going to do everything I can to stay above the radar,” Butler said. “Showing up for a few games is one thing, but being able to sustain it for a full season is another. That’s my goal. I want to sustain that.”
Pitching in
The Raiders had some special-team surprises last week, as star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins took Mayer’s spot on the field goal and extra point protection units.
“Yeah, one of your highest-paid players is the wing guy on PAT and field goal,” Pierce said, smiling. “That’s impressive because you worry about that, because that’s one of those deals where you’re always looking to make sure he gets up after every play. But just a team player, man. When your best players stand up and do the little things, how can the guy that’s at the bottom of the totem pole not do it?”
Wilkins said he volunteered for the role. He’s always been willing to contribute on special teams and believed he could help.
“It also gives me an excuse to run out on the field with the offense when they score,” Wilkins said, laughing. “So, that’s a lot of fun just to be able to celebrate with those guys.”
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X. […]