A Look Ahead at Week 3: The Broncos Are Coming!

After securing an ugly win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, the Oakland Raiders return to the friendly confines of the Oakland Coliseum to welcome the first-place Denver Broncos in the third of three season-opening AFC West clashes. The last time Denver came to the Coliseum, it completely obliterated Oakland, 41-14, on national television.

That game was before the Broncos sent Jay Cutler packing, and since they've embarked on the post-Cutler era, Denver hasn't looked too good. Yes, it laid the wood to the Browns this weekend, but that's supposed to impress who exactly? Couple the softest game on the schedule with the Broncos' fluke win last week against Cincinnati, and it's easy to see their 2-0 record is deceiving.

Denver 

Defensively, the Denver comes into the game ranked third in total yards allowed. The Broncos are 10th against the run and 10th against the pass. They rank first in points allowed, which isn't too impressive if you take a look at their opponents.

On the other side of the ball, Denver ranks eighth in total yards, 12th passing, and 10th on the ground. Its 19.5 points per game have it ranked 18th overall. Knowshon Moreno and Correll Buckhalter lead the 10th-ranked rushing attack, combining for 216 yards and a touchdown. Through the air, the Broncos' biggest threats are Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Stokely.

Oakland

Oakland has got its work cut out for it if it wants to pull out a win and force its way to the top of the AFC West. After surprising everyone with a hard-fought loss to the San Diego Chargers, the Raiders stunk it up in Kansas City in a 13-10 win.

The common denominator in both of those games has been the less-than-stellar play of JaMarcus Russell. So far, Russell has thrown 54 times and completed 19 passes for a 35% completion percentage. His 46.6 quarterback rating is hardly what Oakland was expecting when it made Russell the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft. If the Raiders are to have a chance and a better season overall, Russell has to improve his level of play.

On the ground, Oakland brings a double threat to the table. Darren McFadden and Michael Bush are a pair of backs with the potential to change the face of a game with a single run. Unfortunately for them and the Raiders, it's hard to believe that Tom Cable and the offensive coordinators know what to do with them.

Defensively, Oakland turned in a stellar performance against San Diego with the addition of Richard Seymour. Against Kansas City, it kept the rushing allowance respectable, but the Raiders are going to need more than decent or respectable against the Broncos.   

The Game

Oakland needs to establish a running game in order to keep its offense on the field longer than the 21:21 that it did against Kansas City. When the running game is working, the Raiders keep their defense fresh and they are likely to be in games as was the case against San Diego. In Monday night's opener, Oakland had the ball 31:37 and were a blown referee call away from upsetting the Chargers.

Expect Denver to put eight or nine in the box and force JaMarcus Russell to beat them with his arm. If Russell gets off to a better start than he did in the previous two games, they'll have to stay honest and that should open up holes from McFadden and Bush.

History

Denver is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings against the Raiders. The last time these two teams faced each other, Oakland pulled out a 31-10 victory from Mile-High Stadium. The Raiders lead the all-time series 55-40-2.

Key Injuries:

Oakland will be without the services of Robert Gallery for the next 4-6 weeks after he sustained a fractured fibula. Chaz Schilens is expected back anyday now. If he is still inactive for week 3, he'll be back by week 4. Justin Fargas might see time, adding to the confusion of the running back situation. Nick Miller and Johnnie Lee Higgins were out against Kansas City, but Higgins is expected back for the Denver game.

Prediction:

Oakland 27 Denver 14