Broncos vs. Raiders: Matchups

The Rocky

Published November 20, 2008 at 9:37 p.m.

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Matchups

When the Broncos run the ball

* The skinny: By giving the ball to Tatum Bell down the stretch Sunday in Atlanta, the Broncos showed they intend to involve him a little more as they move through November and into December. P.J. Pope also showed he can provide a little pop in the run game. Run defense had been the one thing the Raiders had going for them early, but their offensive struggles have put the defense in too many bad spots and opponents are controlling the ball and the clock - averaging 34.5 run plays a game.

* It's a fact: Oakland's past five opponents each have rushed for at least 162 yards, and four of the five have rushed for at least 192 yards.

When the Broncos pass the ball

* The skinny: The Broncos went after DeAngelo Hall plenty in the September meeting between the teams. The Raiders since have released Hall, so Jay Cutler will have to pick on somebody else. Receiver Brandon Marshall didn't play in the first meeting because of his one-game suspension, but he figures to see Nnamdi Asomugha across from him plenty in this one. Not a stretch to say Asomugha will be the best Marshall has seen this year - a quality get-it-done test for the third-year receiver.

* It's a fact: With the league average for completion percentage sitting at a gaudy 61.4 percent, the Raiders have held five opponents to 56 percent or less this season and held three to 52 percent or less.

When the Raiders run the ball

* The skinny: Justin Fargas is starting to show the wear and tear of some of his past injuries, but he still leads this team in rushing. Rookie Darren McFadden has had trouble with a toe injury as some teams before the draft had feared he would and Michael Bush publicly has said he'd like to carry the ball more. The Raiders use all three, and it could be a tough day if the Broncos aren't up to their improved tackling standards of the past few weeks. Most teams, though, have loaded up the line of scrimmage with little or no threat from the Raiders passing game.

* It's a fact: Only twice during the past eight games have the Raiders rushed for at least 100 yards.

When the Raiders pass the ball

* The skinny: The Raiders are last in the league throwing the football, and in a league that is sporting the Detroit Lions, that's saying something. Receiver Javon Walker was playing poorly and then got hurt, and quarterback JaMarcus Russell was playing poorly and then missed a game to injury. The Raiders inexplicably have phased Ronald Curry out of the offense and the team has six touchdown passes all season - all Russell's. If the Broncos can keep the Raiders in difficult down-and-distance situations, they should be able to keep this passing game bottled up.

* It's a fact: The Raiders are converting only 22 percent of their third-down plays, last in the league entering Week 12.

Special teams

* The skinny: The last time these teams played, Johnnie Lee Higgins returned kickoffs 58 and 33 yards. The Raiders claimed former Pro Bowl kickoff returner Justin Miller off waivers earlier this month - the Broncos also had put in a claim - so they do have some potential here. The Broncos have been better of late after some September troubles in coverage, but they did have a couple of recent bobbles against Miami's Ted Ginn- 41-yard kickoff return the only time he touched the ball in the return game - and Cleveland's Joshua Cribbs, who had a 43-yarder.

* It's a fact: Of Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski's six missed field-goal attempts this season, four have come from at least 57 yards, with one from 76 yards.

Intangibles

* The skinny: The Raiders are reeling and at least on paper they have no business coming to Denver and winning this one. But this is another test of mind and body for the Broncos' youthful roster. The Broncos feel pretty good about themselves after two big road wins, and they should, but the challenge of this game is simply to take care of their business. They give a solid effort here and they should move to 7-4.

Jeff Legwold's prediction: Broncos 30, Raiders 17

• November 21, 2008

  7:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  I guess there was no need to put "Advantage" in, this time... Raiders have none. This will be a special day for Broncos fans. To see Al in his booth, slamming scotch to kill the pain of the beating his team will receive, will be priceless. Even more priceless is to know that the blog will remain quiet like it is now, from any Raiders "trash talkers". They are such a funny group of monkeys, yes they are.... GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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