Broncos’ solution for Raiders TE Brock Bowers? Vance Joseph sends the cavalry.

Broncos’ Strategy Against Raiders Tight End Brock Bowers

Without Pat Surtain II, who was out due to a pectoral strain, the Denver Broncos implemented a rotation of defenders to contain the Raiders' tight end Brock Bowers during Thursday night's game.

Initial Game Plan

Vance Joseph’s approach was to share the workload among multiple players, aiming to diminish Bowers’ impact.

Defensive Performance

Last Sunday in Houston, Broncos cornerbacks effectively matched their receivers in man-to-man coverage, even without Surtain, while safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones covered deep threats.

Containment Tactics

\"The toughest job with him is getting him tackled," said Joseph about Bowers. "You can cover him with a safety or a defensive back, but bringing him down after the catch is challenging.\"

Throughout the game, different players were tasked with guarding Bowers:

Barron on a third down in the first drive.
McMillian in the slot during the first quarter.
Moss shadowed him on the Raiders' second drive.

Game Context

Despite Denver's efforts, both teams punted on opening drives of the second half. The Broncos aimed to neutralize Bowers as he had previously caught 12 passes for three touchdowns against the Jaguars, highlighting his offensive threat.

Author's Summary

The Broncos' multi-layered defensive plan aimed to restrict Raiders' tight end Brock Bowers, showcasing adaptability and coordination in Surtain's absence to limit the offensive weapon's influence.

The Denver Post — 2025-11-07