DENVER (AP) — The Davante Adams drama arrived just in time for the Las Vegas Raiders' trip to Denver, where they'll try to extend their confounding winning streak over the Broncos to nine games. Dysfunction has not waylaid the Raiders during their dominance of their division rivals . They won in Denver in 2021 just days after Jon Gruden's resignation and handed longtime special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia a win in his debut as interim head coach.
A year later in Las Vegas, an embattled Josh McDaniels got his first win as a head coach since being fired by Denver in 2010. The Raiders (2-2) reportedly have had conversations with several teams since Monday when Adams, who missed last week's game against Cleveland with a hamstring injury, told the team he preferred to play elsewhere. “Davante’s dealing with a hamstring (injury),” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said.
“He’s rehabbing, and the rest of us are focusing on Denver.” The Raiders may not have Adams top of mind but the Broncos (2-2) sure do. They spent plenty of time during the week preparing as if they'll face Adams on Sunday — when the Broncos pay homage to their “Orange Crush” defense that led them to their first Super Bowl appearance in 1977.
Broncos coach Sean Payton relayed how he neglected to prepare for an injured DeMarcus Ware in 2013 and the then-Cowboys star harassed Saints QB Drew Brees all game: “It was a tough coaching lesson,” Payton said. The Broncos, who ended a 16-game skid agains.