If you still call them the Oakland Raiders during a bar argument, nobody is really going to correct you. It just feels right. Even though they’ve been the Las Vegas Raiders since 2020, the venom in this AFC West feud is rooted in the dirt of the old Oakland Coliseum and the thin air of Mile High.
This isn't just another divisional game. It's a sixty-year-old grudge match that has survived relocations, stadium changes, and enough coaching carousels to make your head spin. Honestly, the Denver Broncos vs Oakland Raiders (fine, Las Vegas) rivalry is probably the streakiest, most unpredictable mess in professional football.
One decade, the Raiders are treating Denver like a personal punching bag. The next, John Elway or Peyton Manning is lighting up the Silver and Black for years on end. If you want to understand why these two fanbases truly, deeply despise each other, you have to look at the weird stuff. The snowballs. The chains. The "Expansion Level" football we just witnessed in late 2025.
The Rivalry That Refuses to Be Normal
Most NFL rivalries have a rhythm. You win some, you lose some. Not this one.
The Denver Broncos and the Raiders play in "eras" of dominance. From 2020 to early 2024, the Raiders beat the Broncos eight straight times. Denver literally could not buy a win against them after the move to Vegas. Then, the pendulum swung back. As of early 2026, the Broncos are currently riding a four-game winning streak against their rivals, including a 2025 season sweep that left the Raiders searching for a new identity.
But let’s talk about that November 2025 game. It was... something else.
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The "Expansion Level" Disaster of 2025
On November 6, 2025, the Broncos beat the Raiders 10-7 on Thursday Night Football. It was one of the ugliest games in the history of the league. Seriously.
According to Next Gen Stats, it was the first time since 1976 that both teams finished a game with more penalties than first downs. The last time that happened was a matchup between the expansion-year Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2025, Denver had 11 penalties and 10 first downs. The Raiders? Same exact numbers.
It was a defensive "masterpiece" if you're being kind, or a total eyesore if you're anyone else. J.K. Dobbins, the Broncos' running back, even apologized to the defense after the win because the offense was so stagnant. That’s the nature of this beast. Even when it's bad, it's historic.
Why the Oakland Roots Still Matter
You can move the team to a shiny black "Death Star" in the Nevada desert, but you can't scrub away the AFL history. These teams started playing each other in 1960.
Back then, the Raiders were actually the "Oakland Señors" for about nine days before they realized how much people hated it. Since that first meeting in October 1960—which Denver won 31-14—the Raiders have held the overall lead. Currently, the all-time series stands at 73–58–2 in favor of the Raiders.
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High Stakes and Heavy Hits
The 1977 AFC Championship is still the peak of the mountain for many older fans. The Broncos won 20-17 to go to their first Super Bowl, but Raiders fans will still tell you to this day that Rob Lytle fumbled. The officials didn't see it. Denver scored. The rest is history, but the bitterness stayed.
Then you have the individual "incidents" that define the culture of this matchup:
- The Snowball Fight: In the 90s, Denver fans pelted the Raiders' sideline with snowballs. Raiders' Charles Woodson threw one back and hit a woman in the face.
- The Chain Snatch: Who could forget Aqib Talib twice ripping the gold chain off Michael Crabtree’s neck? It was absurd. It was petty. It was perfectly representative of this rivalry.
- The 59-14 Blowout: In 2010, the Raiders went into Denver and put up 38 points in the first half. It remains one of the most embarrassing home losses in Broncos history.
The State of the Rivalry in 2026
Where do we stand right now? Basically, both teams are in a state of flux, though Denver seems to have the upper hand under Sean Payton.
The Raiders are currently undergoing another massive rebuild. After the Pete Carroll experiment ended following the 2025 season, the team is searching for a new head coach (with names like Jeff Hafley and interim John Spytek in the mix). They secured the No. 1 overall pick for the 2026 NFL Draft, which means they’re likely moving on from the Geno Smith era and looking toward a franchise QB like Fernando Mendoza.
Meanwhile, the Broncos have found a rhythm with Bo Nix. While the offense hasn't always been a "point-scoring machine," the defense has been elite. They finished the 2025 season with an 11-6 record, while the Raiders bottomed out at 2-15.
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Statistical Breakdown (As of January 2026)
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| All-Time Series | Raiders lead 73–58–2 |
| Current Streak | Broncos (4 wins) |
| Postseason Record | Tied 1–1 |
| Most Points Scored (Raiders) | 59 (2010) |
| Most Points Scored (Broncos) | 47 (2014) |
What You Should Watch For Next
If you're betting on or just watching the next installment of Denver Broncos vs Oakland Raiders, keep a few things in mind.
First, don't look at the records. The Raiders were 2-8 heading into that Thursday night game in 2025 and nearly pulled off an upset against a 7-2 Broncos team. This game ignores logic.
Second, watch the trenches. The Raiders' offensive line has been a disaster, allowing the second-most sacks in the league last year. Denver’s pass rush, led by guys like Nik Bonitto, tends to feast in these matchups.
Third, the Brock Bowers factor. The Raiders' tight end is arguably their only elite weapon right now. In their Week 10 meeting last year, Denver held him to just one catch for 31 yards. If the Raiders can't get him involved, they can't move the chains.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Ticket Strategy: If you're heading to Allegiant Stadium, be prepared for "Broncos Country" to take over. Since the move to Vegas, Denver fans have traveled exceptionally well to the strip.
- Roster Watch: Keep an eye on the Raiders' No. 1 pick. If they land a generational QB in the 2026 Draft, the dynamic of this rivalry changes instantly.
- Historical Perspective: If you want to impress your friends, remind them that the "Oakland" Raiders actually played in Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994. They’ve been all over the map, but the hatred for Denver is the one constant.
The names on the back of the jerseys change. The city on the front might even change. But when that Silver and Black helmet lines up against the Orange and Blue, it’s still the same old fight.
To stay ahead of the next matchup, you should track the Raiders' head coaching search and the Broncos' free agency moves regarding their defensive secondary.