As Week 3 comes to a close in the NFL, we look at the final matchup of the week: the Oakland Raiders vs. the Denver Broncos. The Broncos are feeling good about their offense as they lead the NFL in scoring after blowing out the Ravens and the Giants, the past two Super Bowl winners. The Raiders look better than most people expected them to, with a defense in the top 5 in points allowed, total yards allowed, sacks and passing yards allowed. All this while starting nine new players on defense. The only players to start in last year's meetings against the Broncos are Tyvon Branch and Lamar Houston. Tyvon Branch is out with a broken bone in his ankle. So that means only Houston will suit up and play from the team that lost both meetings last year. The Raiders will also present a new challenge this year on offense with the play of QB Terrelle Pryor. That means a lot of uncertainty heading into this one. Let's look at the matchups and try to figure it all out.
Raiders Offense vs. Broncos Defense
The Raiders come into the game with the #1 rushing attack in the NFL, averaging nearly 200 yards/game on the ground. The success they've seen so far has been a result of a switch back to the power-blocking scheme, one that suits McFadden well, and the running ability of Pryor. The threat of Pryor has opened up big holes in the running game for Run DMC and company as defenses have had to watch for Pryor on the the read-option plays. Expect Denver to more prepared than most for the read-option, as you recall they had to implement it when they went with Tebow at QB. This matchup will be mostly decided on Pryor's ability to make the right reads and decisions and for McFadden to have a big night running the football.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Broncos Offense
The Raiders success on defense this year has been a result of getting pressure on the QB from everywhere on the field (Five of their nine sacks are from DBs) and all eleven men flying to the football. This is a team that is built around veterans on one-year contracts that are playing for their jobs for next season, and early on, it has showed. While they have been impressive, they have not played a team like the Broncos yet. Manning is a master at reading blitzes, so it will be a challenge for the Raiders coaches to disguise where the pressures will come from. Manning will have a new tackle guarding his blind side, so look for more double tight end sets and Knowshon Moreno to be in on passing downs to help block. This will hurt the ability to have Wes Welker on the field in three wide-out sets. Look for adjustments aplenty in this game as each side will try and match their strengths to the other team's weakness.
Advantage: Broncos
Special Teams
The Broncos have a special returner in Holliday, who can go the distance at any time. The Raiders have shown some flashes of big return ability, but have not had any returns really affect the outcomes of games. Jacoby Ford is capable of return a kickoff for a TD with three in his career. Janikowski is looking for consistency from his holder King, as he has missed two FG's already this year from under 50 yards. They have tried out Flynn this week at holder but will stick with King for the foreseeable future.
Advantage: Broncos
Prediction: Broncos 31, Raiders 17
Record last year: 11-5
Record to Date: 1-0
Currently on a five game winning streak dating back to last year.
Raiders Offense vs. Broncos Defense
The Raiders come into the game with the #1 rushing attack in the NFL, averaging nearly 200 yards/game on the ground. The success they've seen so far has been a result of a switch back to the power-blocking scheme, one that suits McFadden well, and the running ability of Pryor. The threat of Pryor has opened up big holes in the running game for Run DMC and company as defenses have had to watch for Pryor on the the read-option plays. Expect Denver to more prepared than most for the read-option, as you recall they had to implement it when they went with Tebow at QB. This matchup will be mostly decided on Pryor's ability to make the right reads and decisions and for McFadden to have a big night running the football.
Advantage: Raiders
Raiders Defense vs. Broncos Offense
The Raiders success on defense this year has been a result of getting pressure on the QB from everywhere on the field (Five of their nine sacks are from DBs) and all eleven men flying to the football. This is a team that is built around veterans on one-year contracts that are playing for their jobs for next season, and early on, it has showed. While they have been impressive, they have not played a team like the Broncos yet. Manning is a master at reading blitzes, so it will be a challenge for the Raiders coaches to disguise where the pressures will come from. Manning will have a new tackle guarding his blind side, so look for more double tight end sets and Knowshon Moreno to be in on passing downs to help block. This will hurt the ability to have Wes Welker on the field in three wide-out sets. Look for adjustments aplenty in this game as each side will try and match their strengths to the other team's weakness.
Advantage: Broncos
Special Teams
The Broncos have a special returner in Holliday, who can go the distance at any time. The Raiders have shown some flashes of big return ability, but have not had any returns really affect the outcomes of games. Jacoby Ford is capable of return a kickoff for a TD with three in his career. Janikowski is looking for consistency from his holder King, as he has missed two FG's already this year from under 50 yards. They have tried out Flynn this week at holder but will stick with King for the foreseeable future.
Advantage: Broncos
Prediction: Broncos 31, Raiders 17
Record last year: 11-5
Record to Date: 1-0
Currently on a five game winning streak dating back to last year.
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