Broncos vs. Raiders: What's the Game Plan for Denver?

The Denver Broncos (4-0) and Oakland Raiders (2-2) will renew their rivalry this Sunday when the two AFC West teams clash in Oakland. The Broncos have won the last eight meetings between the two teams.

Denver is coming off a thrilling win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4, in which the defense had to create a turnover in the final moments to preserve the victory. The Raiders were beaten by the Chicago Bears 22-20 on a field goal by Robbie Gould as time expired.

The Broncos will be looking to keep their record perfect while the Raiders will be anxious to end their losing streak against the Broncos, getting right back into the AFC West race in the process.

Here, we will take a look at how the Broncos will approach this game on both sides of the ball. We will also identify some players and matchups to keep an eye on.

Offensive Game Plan

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

To this point in the season, Denver head coach Gary Kubiak has seemed focused on getting the rushing attack going. It hasn't produced the results he was likely expecting. 

Against Oakland, the Broncos may come into the game with a different approach.

The Raiders rank No. 11 in the league against the run, giving up 93.2 yards per game on the ground. But against the pass, they're atrocious. Only the New York Giants have allowed more yardage through the air than Oakland through four weeks. As a result, look for Peyton Manning to have a big day.

Manning may look to take advantage of defensive back D.J. Hayden, who has struggled throughout his career since the Raiders took him in the first round of the 2013 draft. If Hayden were to get matched up against Emmanuel Sanders, that is a favorable matchup for the Broncos.

If the Raiders use Neiko Thorpe or David Amerson to cover Sanders, then Manning may turn to a player like Jordan Norwood or Andre Caldwell to make plays.

Denver won't abandon the running game, but they also won't lean on it. Denver will run the ball to sustain balance on offense, but this will be a game in which Manning peppers the Raiders with the pass, distributing the ball to multiple receivers.

Defensive Game Plan

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

The Raiders will have to be prepared to get into a shootout with the Broncos, and they know that. Quarterback Derek Carr will have to play one of his best games as a pro for the Raiders to have a chance to win this game. 

The problem with that scenario is the fact that the Broncos are the league's No. 1 defense against the pass. They have allowed just two touchdown passes this season.

Carr has connected with rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper 24 times for 339 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Broncos have two defensive backs in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris who are capable of making Cooper a non-factor.

"

Chris Harris also told me he’s confident Amari Cooper won’t get 100+y recv on their D. “I can’t remember the last wr we gave up a 100 to."

— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 10, 2015"

In other words, Carr will have to beat the Broncos by going somewhere else with the ball. Who will that be? Michael Crabtree? Seth Roberts? One of the team's tight ends?

None of those options seem too intimidating when considering how good Denver's defense has been.

In turn, the Raiders will look to Latavius Murray and the running game. The Broncos have been pretty stout against the run as well and Murray has averaged just 74.2 yards per game on the ground this season. The Broncos should fare well against him too.

Finally, look for Wade Phillips to once again call on T.J. Ward to make a game-changing play. With the way the defense has been playing, Phillips can have all the confidence in the world to use Ward as a free-rusher.

Players and Matchups to Watch

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

Derek Wolfe: Denver defensive end Derek Wolfe will return this week after serving a four-game suspension for a violation of the league's policy against substance abuse.

Look for Wolfe to make an immediate impact, particularly in the running game. As a 3-4 defensive end, Wolfe should be able to help slow down Murray or whoever carries the ball for Oakland.

When it was announced the Broncos had chosen Phillips as the new defensive coordinator and that he'd be installing a 3-4 defensive alignment, one of the players who seemed best fit for it was Wolfe. Now, fans will finally get a chance to see what he can do in the new defense.

"

"You all are going to see a new Derek Wolfe." http://t.co/h490m7O7p5 #DENvsOAK pic.twitter.com/Zlo65zMXOW

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) October 10, 2015"

Ronnie Hillman: C.J. Anderson may still be considered the starting running back for the Broncos, but Ronnie Hillman has made the most of every opportunity he's been given this season. He has clearly outperformed Anderson.

Against Minnesota, Hillman rattled off a 72-yard touchdown run that was easily the team's biggest running play of the season. Hillman will continue to eat into Anderson's workload, and he'll be the player more likely to make big plays in the running game against the Raiders.

Virgil Green: As mentioned previously, this is a game in which Manning could get many players involved in the passing game. Owen Daniels has been the primary receiving tight end to this point, but Virgil Green should not be overlooked. 

In the second meeting with the Raiders last season, Green caught three passes for 46 yards and his first career touchdown.

Denver Secondary vs. Michael Crabtree: If the Broncos are able to effectively slow down Cooper, they will have to expect Carr to look for other options, primarily Crabtree. On the season, Crabtree has caught 23 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown.

Prediction

The Raiders are a team on the rise. They've closed the talent gap between themselves and Denver considerably since even last season. Still, the Broncos are the superior team.

The Raiders will be hoping the fans in Oakland can create an atmosphere that makes for a tough setting for the Broncos. Denver will have to be disciplined and patient, so the game could get off to a slow start, much like last week against Minnesota.

But as the game wears on, the Broncos will stifle and frustrate the Raiders with their talented defense. Oakland punter Marquette King will likely have a busy day.

Manning has gotten off to a slow start this season, but that should change in this game. Look for Manning to throw for well over 300 yards and have multiple touchdown passes as the Broncos pull away.

Final Prediction: Broncos 27, Raiders 17