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

Broncos’ Plan for Raiders’ Tight End Brock Bowers

With Pat Surtain II still sidelined against the Raiders, the Broncos relied on a mix of defensive alignments to handle tight end Brock Bowers. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph designed a collective approach to fill the gap left by Surtain’s absence.

The Broncos had previously managed well without Surtain during their game in Houston, where cornerbacks held their man-to-man assignments and safeties Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones prevented deep threats. But the true defensive challenge surfaced Thursday night, as the Raiders leaned heavily on their top offensive weapon, Bowers.

As Surtain missed his second straight game with a pectoral strain, Denver’s solution wasn’t a single player like Riley Moss, but a rotational mix that kept Bowers under control. Joseph’s unit rotated defenders after Bowers’ explosive outing the previous week, where he recorded 12 catches and scored three touchdowns against the Jaguars.

“The toughest job with him is getting him tackled,” Joseph said of Bowers. “You can kind of cover him with a safety or a defensive back body, but can you get him on the ground after he catches the ball?”

Denver’s defensive adjustments included Barron covering Bowers on a crucial third down during the Raiders’ opening drive, McMillian taking several snaps against him from the slot, and Moss shadowing him on subsequent alignments. The Broncos’ rotating coverage remained disciplined enough to contain Bowers throughout the game.

Summary

Without Pat Surtain II, the Broncos used a fluid rotation of defenders to limit Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, showcasing Vance Joseph’s adaptive defensive strategy.

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The Denver Post The Denver Post — 2025-11-07

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