This week the Raiders and Broncos both look to even up their records at 2-2 at Invesco Field in Denver. The Raiders offense looks to continue their momentum they gained in last week's win over Pittsburgh without a few key pieces in Heyward-Bey and Rod Streater. Meanwhile, the Broncos are looking to piece together their defense without suspended MLB Joe Mays and OLB D.J. Williams. They will also be without reserve safety Quinton Carter, who was just put on IR. The Raiders have won the last four meetings in Denver and 4 of the last 5 overall. Both teams will look to start fast as they have both struggled with scoring early and getting behind their opponents, often with too big of a hole to climb out of. This should be a high scoring game with plenty of fireworks on offense. Let's take a look at the matchups and decide a winner.
Raiders Offense vs. Broncos Defense
The Raiders are banged up at WR and will look to Derek Hagan to take Heyward-Bey's spot in the lineup and use Darren McFadden in the slot in some formations. They will also try to utilize the emerging Brandon Myers, especially with the Broncos missing two of their starting LB's. The running game finally took off last week against a good Steelers defense and will look to do the same against the Broncos, who struggled against the same type of zone-blocking team in the Texans last week. McFadden has had some of his best games against the Broncos in his career and will look to continue that trend. The Broncos still have elite pass-rushers in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Broncos Offense
The Raiders are once again banged up in the secondary and will start a waiver wire pickup in Pat Lee and a safety in Michael Huff at the cornerback positions. Matt Giordano will take Huff's place at safety and played pretty well last week against the Steelers. The Raiders brought in veteran Andre Carter to help with the pass-rush as they have only registered 3 sacks in 3 games. Look for the Raiders to blitz Manning often as he has struggled last week against 5 or more rushers, completing just 37.5% of his passes. The biggest mismatch on the field will be the Broncos WR's versus the Raiders secondary. Expect Manning and the Broncos to try and exploit that for big plays.
Advantage: Broncos
Special Teams
The Raiders seem to have found a pretty good punt returner in Phillip Adams as he is averaging 11.1 yards/return including a 47 yarder last week against the Steelers. Janikowski is still nursing a groin injury but expect him to be good from 50 and kick some touchbacks on kickoffs. The Broncos have a good returner in Eric Decker and solid kicker in Matt Prater.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Broncos 24, Raiders 23
Record to date: 0-3
Raiders Offense vs. Broncos Defense
The Raiders are banged up at WR and will look to Derek Hagan to take Heyward-Bey's spot in the lineup and use Darren McFadden in the slot in some formations. They will also try to utilize the emerging Brandon Myers, especially with the Broncos missing two of their starting LB's. The running game finally took off last week against a good Steelers defense and will look to do the same against the Broncos, who struggled against the same type of zone-blocking team in the Texans last week. McFadden has had some of his best games against the Broncos in his career and will look to continue that trend. The Broncos still have elite pass-rushers in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Broncos Offense
The Raiders are once again banged up in the secondary and will start a waiver wire pickup in Pat Lee and a safety in Michael Huff at the cornerback positions. Matt Giordano will take Huff's place at safety and played pretty well last week against the Steelers. The Raiders brought in veteran Andre Carter to help with the pass-rush as they have only registered 3 sacks in 3 games. Look for the Raiders to blitz Manning often as he has struggled last week against 5 or more rushers, completing just 37.5% of his passes. The biggest mismatch on the field will be the Broncos WR's versus the Raiders secondary. Expect Manning and the Broncos to try and exploit that for big plays.
Advantage: Broncos
Special Teams
The Raiders seem to have found a pretty good punt returner in Phillip Adams as he is averaging 11.1 yards/return including a 47 yarder last week against the Steelers. Janikowski is still nursing a groin injury but expect him to be good from 50 and kick some touchbacks on kickoffs. The Broncos have a good returner in Eric Decker and solid kicker in Matt Prater.
Advantage: Raiders
Prediction: Broncos 24, Raiders 23
Record to date: 0-3
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