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the Denver Broncos enter the season finale having been eliminated from playoff contention, but this team still has plenty to play for vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. Perhaps the most pressing motivator is the Raiders’ seven-game winning streak over the Broncos — an ignominious distinction that irks the organization and fans the world over.
When it comes to the big picture, the 8-8 Broncos have the chance to post a winning season for the first time since 2016. A victory would see Denver finish with a plus-.500 record, and considering how bad the past six seasons have been, a winning season would signify with authority that head coach Sean Payton has the Broncos moving in the right direction.
However, we learned on Friday that the Broncos will be without a couple of key players in Vegas. Let’s break down the final Week 18 injury report for Broncos-Raiders.
Analysis: Sutton returns to the field, but for the first time this season, he’ll be catching passes from Jarrett Stidham instead of Russell Wilson. The Wilson-Sutton connection has been prolific this season, leading to a whopping 10 touchdowns, many of which were of the jaw-dropping, acrobatic variety.
Sutton was not selected for the Pro Bowl this season, despite his tape being littered with one highlight-reel catch after another, and that’s because his yardage is severely lacking in comparison to the AFC’s other top receivers. Missing the better part of the past two games with a concussion has arrested his yardage momentum further.
Sutton enters Week 18 with 770 yards on 58 receptions. It’s unlikely that Stidham will be able to feed Sutton 230 yards worth of targets, so it’s a safe bet to assume he’ll come up short of what would be the second 1,000-yard receiving season of his career. But Sutton’s 10 scores mark a career high.
McGlinchey will miss the finale, which thrusts Cameron Fleming into the starting lineup at right tackle. Fleming was solid as the Broncos’ left tackle in relief of an injured Garett Bolles last year, so he was brought back on a cheap deal.
However, Fleming’s showings this season — which have been limited — haven’t inspired much confidence, and considering that he’ll be facing a ‘Bronco killer’ in Maxx Crosby, it’ll be a key matchup to watch on Sunday.