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NFL Week Nine Preview: Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders

By Eric Robinson

Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) congratulate each other after they scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Oakland Raiders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) congratulate each other after they scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Oakland Raiders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates after a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates after a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction 

Two division rivals with first place in the AFC West on the line and despite past seasons and reputations of both teams, this is a Sunday Night matchup that will be worth the admission.

A 6-2 Raiders team is flying high right now and a lot of that is boosted by the fact that the team is 5-0 on the road this season. This week, they are in the confines of their own palace in Oakland with an offense that can score with the best and a defense that is slightly improving.

While Denver sports the third best defense in football statistically, the absence of their #1 corner in Talib and a reserve corner in Webster is critical against an Oakland offense that is pass heavy and likes to go with three and four receiver sets at times.

Two things to monitor very closely in this contest: 1.) Denver’s extremely productive pass rush which is tied for first in the league in sacks with 26. The Raiders O-line is one of the best and feature a physical set of blockers that are all large but active. 2.) The Raiders rush defense which has allowed over 130 rushing yards on four different occasions this season. Denver is a little shorthanded in the run department and will lean on the rookie Booker more than they may actually want, plus Denver has only topped 100 rushing yards or more three times this season. In five of their last six games, Denver has been held to 89 rushing yards or less.

Oakland has the playmakers to make this interesting and they probably will. The thing is, can they make the “winning” plays when the opportunity arises? The ones that Denver has made consistently over the past several seasons and continue to make this season as well. This game can go back and forth and I expect it to. I also expect Oakland to take advantage of a banged-up Denver secondary with Carr connecting with Crabtree and Cooper just enough to steal one against the rival Broncos.

Prediction: Oakland, 24 – 20 

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