Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders: Full Oakland Game Preview

The Oakland Raiders prepare for a divisional matchup against their toughest opponents thus far: the undefeated Denver Broncos.

Head coach Jack Del Rio has already dismissed the idea that his past with the Broncos provides an advantage in the matchup. New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips took over for Del Rio and propelled Denver’s pass defense to become the league’s best, allowing only 185 yards per game.

Oakland’s offense has a tough challenge ahead while the defense is preoccupied with Denver quarterback Peyton Manning.

The Raiders hope to avenge two embarrassing losses in 2014. In the last two meetings, Denver outscored Oakland, 88-31. The Broncos scored more than 40 and the Raiders scored less than 20 in both contests.

Both teams have changed a bit. However, Oakland's poor communication on tight end coverage compounds the issues within the secondary. Will Manning feast on the 31st-ranked pass defense? Can the Raiders counter the Broncos passing attack with a ferocious pass rush on a weaker offensive line?

Location: O.co Coliseum; Oakland, California

Date: Sunday, Oct. 25

Time: 1:05 p.m. PT / 4:05 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Week 4 Results and Recap

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio

AFC West Standings
Team	Wins	Losses
Denver Broncos	4	0
Oakland Raiders	2	2
San Diego Chargers	2	2
Kansas City Chiefs	1	3

Despite a crushing loss to the Chicago Bears, the Raiders are tied with the San Diego Chargers for second place in the AFC West at 2-2.

The Broncos and Chargers won their games, and the Raiders and Chiefs lost their matchups in Week 4.

Denver is looking to extend its win streak and widen the division gap early in the season. Oakland hopes to earn a victory over the team who’s won the AFC West division title in each of the last four seasons.

News and Notes

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Raiders safety Charles Woodson and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning

Charles Woodson Looking for a First?

Safety Charles Woodson has amassed 62 interceptions in his 18-year career, but one particular quarterback’s passes continue to elude his grasp.

On Sunday, the 39-year-old safety will approach a throw from Manning like a rare catch in the wild.

“It would be great to get my hands on one of Peyton's balls,” said Woodson in an interview with NFL.com.

It’s the perfect time to pounce on Manning. He’s thrown five interceptions in four games behind an inferior offensive line compared to years past.

Woodson made a pair of leaping grabs for interceptions in the last two games and takes the field as the most capable defensive back to force a turnover in the Raiders secondary.

Potential vs. Production

Expect to hear plenty of comparisons between Oakland’s edge-rushers and Denver’s pass-rushers.

Essentially, there’s a projection that Khalil Mack and Aldon Smith could become as dynamic and dominant as Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. 

In the offseason, Del Rio compared Mack to Miller but also mentioned a difference in his linebacker’s physicality, via NFL.com's Marc Sessler. Mack added about 13 pounds of solid weight in the offseason and adjusted his focus to devouring quarterbacks much like Miller has done over the past four seasons.

Smith recorded his first sack as a Raider in his last outing. He also leads the team with 13 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.

Together, Smith and Mack can make a statement and step out of those comparisons with high-end performances against the Broncos' shaky offensive line.

Next Tight End: Owen Daniels

Will defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. finally close the gaps in tight end coverage?

Manning will certainly target tight end Owen Daniels to test the glaring weakness in the Raiders defense.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak served as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. Daniels started at tight end for that Ravens team and accumulated 48 catches for 527 yards with four touchdown receptions.

If Norton isn’t prepared to cover the tight end for the fifth consecutive week, Daniels will become this week’s best fantasy option at tight end behind Rob Gronkowski.

Latest Injury News

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press/Associated Press

Cornerback T.J. Carrie walks off the field with a chest injury.

Oakland Raiders Injury Report
Player	Position	Injury	Practice
T.J. Carrie	CB	Chest	DNP
Denico Autry	DT	Concussion	DNP
Latavius Murray	RB	Shoulder	LP
Taylor Mays	S	Ankle	DNP
Michael Crabtree	WR	Ankle	DNP
Justin Tuck	DE	Knee	DNP
Ben Heeney	ILB	Hamstring	LP
Taiwan Jones	RB	Foot	DNP
Keith McGill	CB	Foot	LP
Benson Mayowa	DE	Knee	LP
Justin Ellis	DT	Ankle	LP
Charles Woodson	S	Shoulder	DNP
C.J. Wilson	DL	Calf	DNP
*DNP = Did not practice *LP = Limited participation in practice *FP = Full participation in practice Oakland Raiders injury report courtesy of Raiders.com

The Raiders have 13 players on the injury report. Most of the injuries consist of bumps and bruises that shouldn’t hinder game-time action on Sunday.

Defensive back T.J. Carrie’s chest injury is the most worrisome. He didn’t return after a hit on a punt return in the second quarter of his last outing.

Manning doesn’t have a strong arm anymore, but he'll likely test a matchup with cornerback D.J. Hayden or newly signed cornerback David Amerson defending a pair of Pro Bowl wideouts.

On a slightly smaller scale of significance, defensive end Denico Autry and kick returner Taiwan Jones also missed practice. The Raiders need every possible pass-rusher on the field with the secondary vulnerable and ailing.

Del Rio joked about signing one of the local reporters for kick and punt return duties, but that glib gesture shows the attrition at that position. 

On a brighter note, defensive lineman Benson Mayowa participated in practice for the first time during the season. It’s unclear where he’ll fit in, but he must whip himself into playing shape before anyone contemplates his defining role on defense.

Key Matchups

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Lineback Khalil Mack chases running back Ronnie Hillman.

Khalil Mack/Aldon Smith vs. Ty Sambrailo/Ryan Harris

Denver’s offensive line projects as the weakest link on the roster with or without rookie tackle Ty Sambrailo in the lineup. Sambrailo missed the Broncos' last outing with a shoulder injury.

On paper, the Raiders pass rush should overwhelm the Broncos pass protection on the perimeter. Manning has been under siege for the first four weeks. As a unit, Denver’s offensive line has allowed eight sacks.

Oakland’s edge-rushers could make a statement against the AFC West’s top team by limiting the offense through the trenches. Norton cannot allow Manning adequate time to carve up the defense with his decision-making.

Pocket pressure across the front keeps Manning’s feet moving, his eyes shifty and his arm under stress while throwing on the move.

Austin Howard vs. Von Miller

Quarterback Derek Carr must remain upright to find his receivers.

Offensive tackle Austin Howard matches up against Miller in a crucial battle. The Raiders passing attack has flourished, for the most part, due to Carr’s ability to stand in the pocket and throw darts.

The Broncos defensive backs can force turnovers, and at times their pass-rushers won’t even allow the ball to leave the quarterback’s hands. Miller plays a critical role in shrinking the pocket, and Howard must keep him at bay.

Thus far, Howard has provided decent pass protection, but he’s yet to defend against a pass-rusher on Miller’s level.

Between the 2011 and 2015 seasons, Miller has the fifth-most sacks of any player.

X-Factor

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Tight end Mychal Rivera

Raiders X-Factors: Mychal Rivera, Clive Walford and Marcel Reece

Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave must find a way to loosen the Broncos pass defense. 

Denver’s secondary consists of three Pro Bowl defensive backs in cornerbacks Aqib Talib, Chris Harris and safety T.J. Ward.

Carr should test the matchups on the perimeter, but an extra wrinkle with an active tight end or H-Back forces another linebacker to drop back into coverage.

Heavy emphasis on tight ends could also force the safety to play in the middle of the field, as opposed to leaning on his heels in deep coverage.

The key to finding gaps in the Broncos pass defense is to manipulate the safety or win one-on-one matchups with wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree on the outside.

The use of tight ends Mychal Rivera, Clive Walford and H-Back Marcel Reece will force the Broncos to cover the entire field.

Game Prediction: Broncos 34, Raiders 20

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning

Manning holds a record of 18-1 against AFC West opponents since joining the Broncos, and the Raiders don’t have what it takes to slow him down in the win column.

Oakland hasn't played a potential playoff contender since Week 1. The competition now rises after the Raiders played down to the wire against three mediocre teams. Week 5 will provide a legitimate barometer for the Raiders' progress.

Manning isn’t protected by a ironclad offensive line, but he’s still smart enough to decisively dissect a secondary with two high-end wide receivers and a tight end.

Denver leads the league in sacks, fields the best pass defense and ranks as a top-10 run defense. Phillip's revamped 3-4 unit will test Oakland's offense on multiple levels.

This loss won’t end as ugly as the previous two, but Denver will still win the game decisively.

Broncos 34, Raiders 20

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All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted. Week 4 statistics and play-by-play analysis provided by NFL.com.