Broncos at Raiders: TNF Preview and Result

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders: Thursday Night Football

Considering where we’re at right now, it’s hard to believe the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders went down the wire in their battle for the AFC West title this year. Now, the Broncos have already clinched a playoff spot and are fine tuning for what they hope turns into a long playoff run. Oakland? Well, the Raiders don’t even know if they’ll still be in Oakland next year. The Black and Silver may as well have dropped into a Black Hole, considering they have lost five straight and have just three wins this season.

On the Comeback Trail

Few expected Peyton Manning to put together the season that he has so far (3,500 yards, 29 touchdowns, nine interceptions) after missing a full year with his neck injury. Denver took a chance that he could take the franchise to the next level and now Manning is the MVP favourite. That’s the same kind of gamble Oakland made when it plucked Carson Palmer from Cincinnati last year, but without the same results. Not that it’s all Palmer’s fault. He has actually thrown for 30 more yards than Peyton with 20 TDs and 13 picks – certainly respectable numbers. The real problem with Oakland’s offence this year is its rotten running game.

McFadden’s Back

Darren McFadden has carried Oakland’s attack for years but hasn’t been a factor this season. Word is he’ll be back in action tonight, after missing the better part of five games with a high ankle sprain. He still leads the team in rushing yards, but only averaged 3.3 yards per carry before the injury. It’s not like this is a great matchup for him either. The Broncos rank seventh in the league giving up only 96.4 yards per game.

Ripe for the Picking

The Raiders just can’t stop anybody right now – let alone a Peyton Manning-led offence. Oakland ranks 28th in total defence, 25th in passing defence, 28th in rushing defence, and dead last in points allowed (31.3 per game). “Week in and week out, it’s like it’s the same: can’t stop the run, can’t stop the pass,” cornerback Michael Huff told reporters. “Things just aren’t going well on defense. Right now, I guess we’re just a bad defense. We can’t really hide it.”

Prediction

Trying to hide anything from Manning usually doesn’t turn out very well. Trying to hide a completely terrible defence just isn’t going to happen. Before Manning joined the Broncos, this is the sort of game Denver fans would worry about. It’s an obvious letdown situation. But that was before Peyton. Now, No. 18 has everybody believing and pulling in the same direction. Don’t be shocked if Denver’s first-stringers are pulled with the game well in hand. Final score prediction: Denver 37, Oakland 17.