Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos: Full Oakland Game Preview
The Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos prepare for their second matchup of the season with both teams heading in opposite directions.
The Raiders failed to meet head coach Jack Del Rio’s expectations, but he ensured the team would continue to press forward in the final four games, per CSNBayArea.com reporter Scott Bair.
The Broncos ride a three-game win streak with new starting quarterback Brock Osweiler at the helm.
The fourth-year quarterback hasn’t lit up the boxscore behind a makeshift offensive line, but he’s provided enough production to enable the ground attack. The Broncos rushing offense ranks third in the last three outings, averaging 161 yards per contest.
The Raiders defense improved as a whole, ranking fifth over the past three games and surrendering an average 285.3 total yards.
Oakland’s record doesn’t reflect overall growth, but this team made strides since the first meeting in Week 5.
Here’s the tale of the tape between these AFC West foes.
Location: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
Date: Sunday, Dec. 13
Time: 1:05 p.m. PT / 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Week 13 Results and Recap
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AFC West
Denver Broncos (10-2)
Kansas City Chiefs (7-5)
Oakland Raiders (5-7)
San Diego Chargers (3-9)
AFC Wild-Card Race
Kansas City Chiefs* (7-5)
New York Jets* (7-5)
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)
Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Houston Texans (6-6)
Oakland Raiders (5-7)
Miami Dolphins (5-7)
*Note: Team currently holds a wild-card spot.
At this point, playoff talk has subsided in Oakland. The Raiders aren’t mathematically eliminated, but postseason aspirations take a backseat to developing talent on the roster.
The Raiders can still finish with a 4-2 record in the division with games against the Broncos, San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs left on the schedule.
At 5-7, the probability of avoiding another losing season remains within reach. The push starts on the road against the division-leading Broncos.
News and Notes
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During the week, general manager Reggie McKenzie stumbled upon his checkbook and showered two players with new money.
Michael Crabtree Signs Four-Year Extension
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, wide receiver Michael Crabtree signed a four-year extension worth $35 million with $19 million guaranteed.
McKenzie decided to lock up one of quarterback Derek Carr’s primary weapons through 2019. Crabtree played up to his potential in a contract year, logging 66 catches, 760 yards and seven touchdowns as the most reliable receiver on the field.
Carr, Crabtree and rookie Amari Cooper will lead the offense for the near-promising future.
Jamize Olawale Signs Three-Year Extension
Fullback Jamize Olawale signed a three-year extension worth $6 million, which keeps him under contract through the 2018 season, per Rapoport.
Through 12 games, Olawale accumulated 180 yards from scrimmage, supplanting Marcel Reece as a combination ball-carrier and receiver.
As Reece’s expected successor, Olawale saw extended playing time over the past several weeks. His carries and receptions should increase as the season comes an end.
Neiron Ball Headed for Injured Reserve?
Del Rio revealed some bad news to local reporters during Monday’s press conference, concerning rookie linebacker Neiron Ball.
“It will be tough for him to make it back," said Del Rio. We’ll keep trying (to rehab) and see where it goes. We have a month left, and we were hopeful we’d have him back by now. It doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case. At some point here, we’re going to have to make a decision.”
Ball went down with a knee injury in Week 7 against the San Diego Chargers. He went through microfracture surgery on his knee about a year ago, per his NFL.com draft profile.
The rookie’s will to overcome major injuries flashes as a commendable intangible within his character. However, growth comes with availability. Based on Del Rio’s words, Ball may sit out until the 2016 season.
Key Injuries
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Khalil Mack (DNP)
Defensive lineman Khalil Mack missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. He finished the game against the Chiefs, and the team hasn’t revealed any major concerns about the injury. It’s probably a rest day for the team-leading pass-rusher.
Rodney Hudson (DNP)
San Jose Mercury News reporter Jimmy Durkin spotted center Rodney Hudson in walkthroughs, but he didn’t participate in practice. He continues to nurse an ankle sprain suffered in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings.
His return to action could provide a much-needed boost, pushing the rushing offense over 100 yards on Sunday.
Nate Allen
According to Del Rio via Bair, tests on safety Nate Allen’s healed knee came back negative.
The Raiders will likely take it easy on him during practices. Allen just recovered from an MCL injury on the same knee. He remains day to day with caution.
Taiwan Jones: (Knee, DNP)
Shelby Harris: (Ankle, DNP)
Keith McGill: (Ankle, FP)
Korey Toomer: (Ankle, DNP)
Charles Woodson: (Shoulder, DNP)
Neiron Ball: (Knee, DNP)
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Key Matchups
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Khalil Mack vs. Broncos Offensive Line
The Broncos field another statue behind a poor offensive line, missing quality starters. Although much younger than Peyton Manning, Osweiler (6’7”, 240 lbs) doesn’t evade the pass rush with ease. He’s been sacked 12 times in four games.
Mack has slammed mobile quarterbacks to the ground on a rampage. Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith felt Mack’s wrath through first-hand experiences.
The Raiders' defensive powerhouse logged four sacks in the previous two outings and shares the fifth spot among sack leaders with nine for the season.
Expect defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. to move Mack around the field in an attempt to flash different looks on the defensive front against a porous offensive line.
Michael Crabtree vs. Aqib Talib
We’ll see how Crabtree reacts to new money, right away. Denver’s secondary will take the field without starting safety T.J. Ward (ankle), which puts more pressure on Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib in one-on-one situations.
In the first meeting, Crabtree registered four catches for 54 yards. Opposing defenses have held the veteran wideout under 60 yards in the last four contests, but he’s Carr's leading end-zone threat with seven receiving touchdowns in 2015.
In Week 5, Carr threw for 249 yards against the Broncos defense. Unfortunately, the Raiders only registered one touchdown. Eight games later, an improved offense should challenge Denver’s secondary in a tight matchup.
X-Factor: Jamize Olawale
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Raiders X-Factor: Jamize Olawale
McKenzie funded Olawale’s extension, so obviously the team believes in his talent. He’s logged eight carries in four games. It’s time to feed him the ball as the bruiser in the backfield.
He hits the running lanes like a tractor-trailer with the ability to shake off arm tackles. The offensive game plan should feature his skill set at the goal line and in short-yardage situations outside the red zone.
An increased workload will also provide a larger sample for a seasonal assessment of his role within the backfield.
Prediction: Broncos 20, Raiders 17
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Prediction: Broncos 20, Raiders 17
The Raiders played the Broncos close in the first matchup. Oakland made strides over the weeks and limited the Chiefs' two-man rushing attack in the previous outing.
Broncos running back C.J. Anderson’s status remains unclear with an ankle injury. His absence could swing the game in Oakland’s favor.
Osweiler has played well, but he’ll experience difficulties with the Raiders' improved secondary. Denver’s signal-caller has thrown three interceptions in four games.
Nonetheless, Oakland cannot expect to earn a victory over Denver with an one-dimensional offense. Hudson has to suit up to play, and Latavius Murray must sustain production to earn a victory.
At the moment, Hudson’s availability remains unclear, and the ground attack seems incomplete with Murray carrying the entire load. Oakland must find a way to add bulk to the ground attack to neutralize the Broncos pass rush.
Broncos 20, Raiders 17
Follow Maurice Moton on Twitter for news, updates and intriguing discussion about the Oakland Raiders.
All statistics are provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com, Pro Football Focus and Team Rankings, unless otherwise noted.
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