JEFF ALLEN GAME PREVIEW: BRONCOS at RAIDERS
Sunday Night Football features the battle for supremacy in the league’s toughest division as the 6-2 Denver
Broncos travel to Oakland to meet the 6-2 Raiders in a key AFC West showdown. This is a classic rivalry
dating back to the old AFL when the likes of Hank Stram, Sid Giklman, John Ralston and John Maddon used
to patrol the AFL West sidelines. The winner tonight takes over sole possession a top the AFC West with the
Chiefs likely a half game back with a game at hand.
The line opened at Oakland -2 with the total set at 44 1/2. Denver and under money has moved the number to
pick and 43 1/2 in most houses although there are some Denver +1 out there if that’s your inclination. As always
shopping is the name of the game. Conditions should be ideal with no precipitation in the forecast and temperatues
in the mid-60s for the 8:30 PM kickoff on NBC.
After a two-game slide, the Broncos have regained most of their swagger with two dominating defensive efforts in
home wins over Houston and San Diego. In those games, the Broncos conceded just two touchdowns in 25 drives
to the Texans and Chargers. The Denver stop unit is also responsible for 11 turnover over the last five games. Trevor
Siemian has proven to be an adequate game manager to this point and make dome throws when necessary.
Derek Carr has been a revelation for Oakland at quarterback and would appear to be the steal of the draft going
mid-second round three years ago. Carr threw for 514 yards and four TDs in last week’s win over Tampa Bay. He
needed every yard as the Raiders will be Raiders (set the NFL record for penalties at 23 and over 200 yards). The
Black and Silver defense has been a disappoint and it remains to be seen whether of not Oakland can get by
outscoring people
The Broncs have won and covered five straight at Oakland, part of their current 15-1 SU, 14-2 spread mark on the
AFC West road. Four of the five wins were by 13+. The Raiders are 5-0 on the road and just 1-2 at home so there is
not much advantage playing in their current venue. Denver is similar to Kansas City stylistically and the Chiefs
waxed Oakland here in mid-October. The Broncs are 7-1-2 in ten lined games where the line was +/-3 while the
Raydas are 4-1 in that spot this year after a 4-15 run. The game will depend on whether or not Siemian can exploit
a weak Raider secondary and whether or Oakland can play mistake and penalty free whole allowing Carr enough
time to do his magic.