DENVER — This is only the fourth game of the season, only one step on the long journey to determining an AFC West champion and potential wild-card teams.
So why does Sunday’s Raiders-Broncos game carry an unmistakable whiff of urgency?
They’re storied rivals, for one, with a long history of enmity on the football field. They’re widely projected as playoff contenders, already jostling for position with Kansas City in a crowded and compelling division race.
They’re also both reeling a bit, suddenly awash in fresh questions after 2-0 starts. The Broncos lost at Buffalo last Sunday and the Raiders were embarrassed at Washington.