Broncos-Raiders: Denver Looks to Build off Early Season Dominance

Since their meeting in week one, both the Broncos (6-4) and the Raiders (2-8) have changed dramatically.

Denver has been absolutely depleted by injuries, while Oakland has tried to "pull off the bandage before the wound was healed", if you will.

In their meeting in week one, the Broncos made the home-team Raiders look like the butt-end of all jokes as they beat Oakland 41-14.

Since that game, Oakland has fired former head coach Lane Kiffin and parted ways with their biggest off-season acquisition, DeAngelo Hall.

The last six years of this rivalry have been a bit one-sided, as the Broncos have won nine of the last eleven matchups between the two teams.

Denver boasts the AFC's top passer in quarterback Jay Cutler, as well as the top overall offense in the conference.

Oakland will try to counter Cutler and the aerial attack with All-Underrated team captain Nnamdi Asomugha, who has been thrown at a mere 17 times this season.

Asomugha, however, has been the lone bright spot on this Oakland team.

The Raiders have scored a meager 128 points in ten games, which is the worst in the NFL.  Oakland's failure to score points could be their demise against the offensive powerhouse that is the Broncos.

Both teams have had serious troubles stopping opposing teams, each giving up over five yards per play.

I think Denver has a great chance to get out to an early lead against this Oakland team, especially with their defense playing well in recent games.  If the Broncos can force JaMarcus Russell to throw early, the Raiders could be in trouble.

The Broncos will also have one more weapon on offense they didn't have in their week one slashing:  Brandon Marshall.

Marshall teams up with rookie Eddie Royal as the receivers with the fifth and eighth most catches in the NFL respectively.  The dynamic duo has more total receptions than any other pair in the AFC.

Another interesting stat that caught my eye is the production of former college teammates Darren McFadden and Peyton Hillis.  While McFadden has had some time on the injury list with turf toe, Hillis actually has more touchdowns this season than McFadden, an accomplishment no football fan could have predicted.

Both teams have played with great heart on defense in recent games, but the Raiders are worse than Denver at stopping the run, and if the Broncos can control the clock in this game while adding in the big-play ability of Cutler and his weapons, it could be another long day for Oakland and their fans.

Broncos 30, Raiders 13

Have fun watching the game everyone!