Broncos vs. Raiders: Carson Palmer and 5 Raiders Who Will Step Up Against Denver

The Oakland Raiders (4-3) lost to the Kansas City Chiefs (4-3) two weekends ago, 28-0. Both teams are now in a three-way tie with the San Diego Chargers for first place in the AFC West.

This Sunday, the Raiders will face the fourth member of the AFC West, the Denver Broncos.

Oakland beat Denver 23-20 at Mile High Stadium opening week.

This time around, both teams are battling injuries to their starting running backs, among others. Additionally, both teams have different starting quarterbacks from their first meeting.

Given all the injuries and changes in both lineups, the Raiders expect many players to step up this weekend. Here are five who will respond to the call.

Michael Bush

With starting running back Darren McFadden unlikely to play, Michael Bush will get the start.

Bush is one of the best backup running backs in the league and will build off of a 99-yard performance last game against the Chiefs.

He brings a very aggressive style of running through the tackles and has fairly reliable hands out of the backfield.

Bush should end up with at least 100 yards and a touchdown.

Taiwan Jones

Michael Bush should play very well against the Broncos, but one thing he lacks is speed. 

And that is exactly what rookie running back Taiwan Jones, who runs a 4.27 40-yard dash, does have.

With McFadden out, the Raiders will look to Jones to bring that speed back to the table.

While Jones has only had five carries for 30 yards this season, this is his time to shine as the lightning to Bush's thunder. He will have an expanded role this weekend and will play well in it.

DeMarcus Van Dkye

Starting cornerback Chris Johnson was placed on injured reserve this week, ending his season.

That means rookie corner DeMarcus Van Dyke will be asked to start at left cornerback for the remainder of the season.

Teams have been trying to pick on Van Dyke because of his inexperience but he has been showing he has what it takes to be a solid corner in the NFL.

Facing Tim Tebow and the Broncos should be a fun afternoon for Van Dyke and the rest of the corners—Tebow threw a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown last week against the Detroit Lions.

Van Dyke is in a perfect position to get his second career interception.

Richard Seymour

Defensive tackle Richard Seymour has brought a toughness to the Raider defense ever since being acquired from the New England Patriots in 2009.

Being the emotional leader of the defense means he is expected to produce on the field as well. So far this season he leads the Raiders in sacks with five.

This week against the Broncos, he should easily be able to add to that total.

Denver quarterback Tim Tebow has an astonishing 15 percent sack rate—the highest in the league. Seymour and the Raiders will take advantage of that and stall the Bronco offense with plenty of sacks.

Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer makes his first start for the Raiders after a terrible second half against Kansas City two weeks ago when he threw for 116 yards, but more importantly, three costly interceptions.

But that was after having a very limited amount of time with the team. Palmer has had two weeks to work with the coaches and the rest of the offense and it will show this Sunday.

Against a mediocre Bronco pass defense, Palmer should feel much more comfortable with the team and thrive with his young receivers.

Given that the Raiders are coming off of a bye week, they have had plenty of time to prepare for the Broncos. Combined with Denver's poor play, Oakland should be able to use this game as a springboard for the rest of the season.