7 Keys to Victory in Oakland Raiders' Week 4 Matchup

There's no time to dwell on the Oakland Raiders' embarrassing road loss with the Denver Broncos next on the schedule. Head coach Jack Del Rio and his group turned the page on Week 3 as the team prepares for a trip to Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

It's important the Raiders avoid living in the past. For starters, moving on from a beatdown on the national stage. Secondly, the players must focus on the upcoming contest and forget about the chain-snatching incident in Week 17 from the previous season. The coaching staff can't allow this team to shift their focus toward personal in-game battles. 

Both clubs come into Week 4 at 2-1 behind the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. The AFC West still reigns as the toughest division in the league, and a loss here or there could cost one team a playoff spot in January. Between rivals, expect another hard-fought battle on the field.

How should the Raiders defend and attack the Broncos on Sunday?

Keep Emotions in Check

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Before going into X's and O's, we'll start with a player's psyche. Most fans will remember Aqib Talib proudly discussing his premediated decision to snatch Michael Crabtree's chain off his neck. The veteran wideout said he made a "business decision" not to physically go after the Broncos cornerback in his postgame comments.

There's emotion in football, but the players can't allow a past incident to dictate their actions or cause unnecessary penalties. Winning is the ultimate revenge, especially against a rival opponent on their field. 

Just like Crabtree in Week 17 of the 2016 season, the Raiders must stick to business and the task at hand.

Furthermore, there's no need to push punter Marquette King to do something out of character to prove his loyalty to the team after re-enacting the incident with Talib during the Pro Bowl in January. 

Del Rio should remind his guys what they're playing for on Sunday. It's about leaving Denver with a win—not pushing for on-field confrontations that may hurt their chance at 3-1.

Don't Fall in Love with the Ground Attack

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The Broncos field a top-tier tandem with Chris Harris Jr. and Talib at cornerback. According to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks who targeted the Broncos perimeter duo have only completed approximately 52 percent of their passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

In his career, quarterback Derek Carr has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in four of five games against the Broncos. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing may choose to test the run, but it's important to allow the defense's weaknesses to dictate the game flow and play-calling adjustments.

In the previous outing, the Raiders ran the ball straight into the teeth of the Broncos defense for 218 yards and three touchdowns, but the method won't have the same effect on Sunday.

Denver has significantly improved its run support and boasts the league's stingiest unit, which has held the Dallas Cowboys' vaunted ground attack to 40 yards and limited Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy to 21 yards in previous outings. 

It's easy to suggest Marshawn Lynch handle 20-25 carries because he's Beast Mode on the field. However, we all saw him and the offensive line struggle against the Washington Redskins' No. 2-ranked run defense on Sunday. 

Downing should consider mixing in runs with short passes in the flat to the running backs.

Target Jared Cook Early and Often

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As wideout Amari Cooper works on his drop issues before a tough matchup with Harris, Carr should continue to look toward tight end Jared Cook down the field. He led all pass-catchers against the Redskins with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Cook ranks second on the team in targets (17) and receptions (13) through three weeks. Thus far, the 30-year-old has seen five or six targets in every contest, and he's capable of helping Carr eclipse 200 yards against the Broncos defense. 

On average, Denver has allowed 61.3 yards per game to tight ends, per Football Outsiders. In the two previous contests, the defense has allowed scores to Jason Witten and Charles Clay at the position.

Though tight end Clive Walford's role has evaporated within the offense, it's a good week to reimplement him into the game plan for his receiving skills.

Use Tight End Lee Smith on About 60 Percent of Snaps

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Downing can utilize all three tight ends in this week's offensive blueprint. In most cases, Lee Smith would block as an extra offensive lineman. He leads all players at the position on passing plays as an in-line blocker at 65 percent among qualifiers.

After the offensive line's poor showing against the Redskins, it's a good idea to add extra protection on the right side to help Marshall Newhouse who will match up against Von Miller off the edge.

Occasionally, the Raiders can send Smith out on pass routes to surprise the defense. Downing's creativity with the best blocking tight end among the group could open up the aerial attack downfield.

Overall, all three tight ends can play major roles in protecting Carr in the trenches and providing him with reliable options in the passing attack.

Don't Ignore Virgil Green in Passing Attack

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Once again, defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.'s defense struggled to cover the tight end. This time, personnel issues hurt the coverage down the seam.

On Monday, Del Rio answered a question about cornerback Sean Smith's limited role with just three snaps in Week 3:

"The package that we had in mind wasn't real effective with him covering Vernon [Davis]. Vernon got loose on him twice. On the second one, honestly we should've had some safety help for him. You let the guy run across the field on the first third down, that was a moment swing there. That's just the way the game flowed." 

The experiment with Smith on the inside may come to an end after a poor showing against Vernon Davis, who filled in adequately for Jordan Reed. 

Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian hasn't targeted tight end Virgil Green more than three times in any game, but it doesn't mean offensive coordinator Mike McCoy won't tailor the game plan to target Smith if he's on the inside. 

McCoy knows how to optimize receiving production at the tight end position, which is evident in his track record with Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry in recent years.

Provide Safety Help on Emmanuel Sanders

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Due to Smith's overall struggles, expect to see rookie cornerback Gareon Conley matched against Emmanuel Sanders on the outside.

The first-rounder didn't practice due to a shin injury on Wednesday, per NBC Bay Area reporter Scott Bair. If he's unable to suit up, T.J. Carrie will fill the role.

Oftentimes, general managers draft players to gain the upper hand on division opponents. Surprisingly, in three of the last four outings between these two clubs, the Raiders held Sanders under 50 yards. In addition, he hasn't scored a touchdown on the defense since the 2014 season.

Nonetheless, he leads the team in targets and has already reached paydirt twice through three games. The veteran wideout holds the edge in experience over Conley.

Norton and John Pagano must prepare the secondary in case the speedy pass-catcher breaks free downfield. Free safety Reggie Nelson must take the right angles on tackles and contest deep balls over the top to eliminate explosive plays.

Return Kickoffs, Take Advantage of Short Field

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On average, Broncos opponents' start drives at the 36-yard line, which suggests long kick returns or penalties on the kickoff. The Raiders can capitalize early in their possessions to pressure Denver's defense.

If kicker Brandon McManus keeps the ball in play, Cordarrelle Patterson—an aggressive kick returner—has the ability to put the Raiders offense on a shorter distance to the goal. Jalen Richard possesses the elusiveness to advance the ball upfield on punt returns. Both offensive weapons may play a key role on special teams. 

As mentioned above, the Broncos defense has limited Carr's volume in yards in most games. However, a good start from around the 36-yard line, a few first downs would put kicker Giorgio Tavecchio in field-goal range. An explosive play or two could decide the game.

Advanced statistics provided by Pro Football Focus unless otherwise noted.