The Las Vegas Raiders defeated the Denver Broncos Sunday, 17-13, in a crucial matchup between two teams that entered 7-7. The win improved the Raiders record to 8-7 and drastically improved their postseason hopes. On the flip side, the loss all but eliminated the Broncos from playoff contention.

The Raiders struggled to get much going in the first half offensively. But once they started running the rock, everything else came a bit easier. The defense did the rest, helping put the Broncos away.

Here are the three key takeaways from Las Vegas' Week 16 win over the Broncos.

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Raiders Week 16 Takeaways

4. Las Vegas defense is playing much better than most realize

It is assumed by most NFL fans that the Raiders have an offense, with Derek Carr, Hunter Renfrow and Josh Jacobs. But that their defense is the weakness of the team. However, over the last month, the Raiders defense has played really well.

They held the Broncos to 13 points Sunday. Last week, Cleveland could only muster 14 points. People will point to the fact that they were down to their third-string quarterback. But if you watched that game, you saw that the Raiders did a pretty good job slowing down Nick Chubb on the ground as well. Two weeks prior, Washington only scored 17 points against them.

Obviously, those are world beaters offensively and the Chiefs did destroy them in between all of those games. My point isn't to say that their defense is very good. Only that they are not as bad as most people think. They are capable of making key stops when they need to and they did it again Sunday.

3. Josh Jacobs is becoming a recognized leader

Running back Josh Jacobs is mostly overlooked when people talk about some of the better tailbacks in the NFL. Yet, he is on pace for over 1,200 scrimmage yards with double digit touchdowns.

When the Raiders drafted Jacobs with their first round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, they were hoping they landed the next Derrick Henry. Despite playing at Alabama, Jacobs did not receive near enough attention. That is something Jacobs has spoken of that motivated him during his career.

After rushing for over 1,000 yards in his first two seasons, statistically he has taken a step back this year. But the offensive line has dealt with a lot of issues and injuries. Jacobs himself has been banged up at times this season. But he does not get near enough credit for being a leader.

At halftime Sunday, Jacobs told the coaches to give him the ball and give him and the offensive line a chance to take over the game.

 

They did, and then he did. Jacobs came out of halftime and rushed for 57 yards on the opening drive of the 2nd half. Peyton Barber finished it off with a 5-yard touchdown. The Raiders never looked back after that.

Jacobs is shifty, quick, powerful enough to run you over. He has a nose for the goal line and is a good leader. I would take Josh Jacobs on my team any day.

2. Hunter Renfrow is becoming a trustworthy playmaker 

Lost in the shuffle of the madness that is the Raiders 2021 season is the emergence of Hunter Renfrow. Renfrow is top-10 in receptions in the NFL, and top-20 in yards and touchdowns. Yet, he is not looked at or regarded as one of the better receivers in the league.

The Raiders have been mired in controversy that has impacted the wide receiver group as much as any. Jon Gruden leaving the team rocked the NFL. A few weeks later, wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was arrested following a terrible car accident that left a woman deceased.

Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller was hurt on Thanksgiving and has not played since.

Suddenly Renfrow was the team's primary option in the passing game. Despite receiving more attention from the opponents' secondary, Renfrow has thrived. Over the last eight games, Renfrow has either a touchdown or a hundred receiving yards in seven of them. He has been making huge impacts on plays like this.

Renfrow was a walk-on at Clemson. He was still overlooked. He was DeShaun Watson's best receiver in winning two national championships; still under-appreciated. He entered the season as the Raiders #3 target in the passing game, yet leads the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

Renfrow is legit and is not going away people.

1. Raiders likely control their own playoff destiny

The AFC playoff scenarios are a mess. Entering Week 16, there were 10 teams within one game fighting for three playoff spots. Things got a little less complicated after last week, but it's still hard to digest.

However, there is some great news for Raiders fans. They likely control their own destiny. I'll break it down.

The Raiders will absolutely need to win out to make the postseason. But things got a bit easier on that front Monday when the Colts placed quarterback Carson Wentz on the league's COVID-19 reserve list.

The reason the Raiders are currently the #10 seed is because they are technically behind the Chargers in the West division. Both they and the Chargers are 8-7. They play against each other the final week of the season. Assuming the Raiders win out, which is required to make the playoffs, that means the Chargers would finish a game behind Las Vegas.

Las Vegas defeated the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens earlier this season. So, they own the tiebreaker over both of them if all three won out and finished 10-7.

The only way it gets messy for the Raiders is if Baltimore wins the AFC North and the Cincinnati Bengals are in the wild card mix. But again, the Raiders have to do their job and win out.