It’s a chance at redemption for the Oakland Raiders (2-1) as they travel to the unfriendly confines of Sports Authority Field at Mile High to take on the Denver Broncos (2-1) who were almost as bad as Oakland last week.
This will be America’s Game of the week at 4:25 p.m. on CBS. I’ll be with your the whole way running the Get More Sports live blog. Come hang out. I try to make it fun.
The Game: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (-2.5)
O/U: 46.0
The History
This will be the 116th game between the Raiders and the Broncos. Oakland leads the all time series 62-51-2.
From November, 2011 to October 2015, the Broncos won eight consecutive games over the Raiders, most with Peyton Manning at quarterback, but the streak was originated by one Mr. Timothy Tebow, who led the Broncos to a 38-24 victory on November 6, 2011.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-1)
The Raiders lost 27-10 to the Washington Redskins last week and the game wasn’t that close. Oakland couldn’t run the ball, but made up for it by throwing interceptions, dropping passes and missing tackles on defense. It was the worst shitstorm to hit our nation’s capital since Donald Trump was Rick-Rolled by North Korea on Twitter while sitting on his toilet.
Derek Carr looked absolutely awful from the start, tossing two bad interceptions early. Wide receiver Amari Cooper dropped so many passes he should have a priest burn the gloves he was wearing. Michael Crabtree has been Carr’s most dependable receiver this season, but he was knocked out of the game against the Redskins and is listed as questionable Sunday. He did practice a couple of days this week, but was held out Friday.
Defensively, the Raiders had no answer for Chris Thompson out of the backfield and considering he caught six passes for 150 yards and a touchdown, maybe they should have figured something out considering nearly all of that had to be runs after the catch. They did a solid job controlling Washington’s running game, but by surrendering huge, easy plays on third downs it didn’t matter. Oakland managed just one sack and that was from Khalil Mack. They did manage seven tackles in the backfield.
DENVER BRONCOS (2-1)
As embarrassed as the Raiders should be for their performance last week, at least the Redskins look like a good team. The Buffalo Bills most certainly do not, but somehow one of the best defenses in football let Tyrod Taylor pass all over them, completing 20 of 26 for 213 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Trevor Siemian, after such a strong start to the year, was completely awful against the Bills. He was 24 of 40 for 259 yards and two picks. Considering that was Siemian’s first road game of the year, it doesn’t bode well for his long term success. Lucky for Siemian and the Broncos, they’re back at Mile High. What should really concern Denver is, when the game was squarely on his shoulders and the team down just four points as the fourth quarter began, he mustered all of jack and shit.
It was a good sign for the Broncos to see Jamaal Charles have a decent game at running back. Charles carried the ball nine times for 56 yard and a touchdown. When Siemian did complete his passes, he knows who to target. There should be no complaints about fantasy production from Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Thomas caught six passes for 98 yards. Sanders had seven for 75.
A unsportsmanlike penalty against Von Miller pulling a psych hand-up move on Taylor was called and he really took it to heart, blaming himself for the loss. That’s probably bad news for anyone lined up opposite Miller Sunday afternoon.
The Pick
I still like the Raiders and I’m not ready to jump ship yet. I don’t like them in this game. Hopefully, for their sake, last week was just part of a crazy, nonsensical Sunday, but even an Oakland team clicking on all cylinders, this would be a tough game to win. With Cooper’s dropsies and Crabtree’s injuries, I like the home team. Broncos 20, Raiders 17
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 7-9
Against the spread: 6-10
Season
Straight up: 28-19
Against the spread: 22-25
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
