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Published on 09/05/2008 at Fri Sep 05 15:25.
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Broncos Raiders Preview

Posted Fri Sep 5th by

OAK vs. DEN
Raiders (0-0) vs. Broncos (0-0)
McAfee Coliseum
Mon, Sep 8, 2008
7:15 PM PDT ESPN

For the first time in seven years, the Denver Broncos will open their season on Monday Night Football when they face the Oakland Raiders this week at McAfee Coliseum. Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. PDT, and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN, as well as locally on KDVR-TV FOX 31. Radio coverage will be provided by KOA 850 AM (simulcast on Sirius Channel 122), as well as a national feed by Westwood One (Sirius 124).

The Broncos, whose 17-year streak of appearing on Monday Night Football represents the longest such streak in the NFL, look to begin the campaign with a win in their first AFC West contest of the year for the ninth consecutive season. The first part of the season is a key stretch for Denver with the club facing divisional opponents in three of the first four weeks. The Broncos play their first two games (at Oak., vs. S.D.) of the year against divisional foes for the first time in 11 seasons (1997) and only the sixth time in club history.

Denver, which finished the 2007 season with a 7-9 record before posting a 2-2 mark this preseason, faces a Raiders squad that was 4-12 last year and 1-3 in the preseason. The two clubs split the 2007 series, but the Broncos have had recent success against Oakland, posting an 8-2 record against the franchise since 2003.

The Broncos and Raiders look to add another chapter in one of the fiercest rivalries in the NFL, with each team optimistic for a turn of fate from their respective 2007 campaigns.

Weather Report
Denver Broncos weather report

Kyle’s Five Keys to the Game

1. Stop the damn run
The Raiders ran for over 350 yards in two games against the Broncos in 2007. They’re eager to let their new tailback, first round pick Darren McFadden, loose on this defense. Last year, the Broncos defense allowed 4.4 yards per carry in the preseason. It was a sign of things to come, as the Broncos allowed 4.6 all year along. In 2008, they only allowed 3.4 ypc in the preseason. The Broncos need the improvement to carry over into Week One against the three-headed running back monster the Raiders employ.


2. Pass Protection for our new star
Denver QB Jay Cutler looks ready to take the next step, but to do so, he’ll need time in the pocket. In 2007, Cutler was hurried and rushed all year long. With new tackles Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris, as well as a revamped interior, the Broncos believe their front five is improved. The Raiders defensive line has undergone a makeover, and they’ll be testing the Broncos offensive line for weaknesses all night long. If the line steps up, maybe Daniel “The Training Wheel” Graham will actually be able to go out and catch a few passes.

3. Run it down their throats
Speaking of multi-headed running back monsters, the Broncos employ one of their own in the form of Selvin Young and Andre Hall. Expect Young to get the start, but expect plenty of Hall mixed in, especially in goal line or short yardage situations. The offensive line will be crucial here as well – if the Raiders dominate the point of attack in short yardage and red zone, the running backs won’t get far.

4. Stepping up for Mr. Suspended
The Broncos will rely on a committee of players to play a larger role in the passing game without Brandon Marshall. While wide receivers Darrell Jackson and Eddie Royal must definitely step up in their Broncos debut, look for Tony Scheffler to be the X-factor.

5. Icing the kicker
Is there any doubt in your mind that the Raiders will call a timeout in an attempt to ‘ice’ our new kicker Matt Prater? I’ll be honest – the thought has me nervous. This one’s pretty much all on you, Prater – unless, of course, we stay true to Mike Shanahan‘s words for once, avoiding punts and field goals completely and just scoring touchdowns.

The Prediction

Broncos 27, Raiders 16. It really all depends on the offensive line dominating the point of the attack, and from what I’ve seen in the preseason, I think they’ll do it.

What are your keys to the game? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

  • McBillian

    27-16 sound pretty reasonable
    I think our goal to winning is if we can hrow the ball and consistentaly get first downs.

    On thursday NY vs WAS washington was never able to throw the ball in my opinion Only a whole bunch of underneath
    I think being able to hit our TEs on 8+ yard routes will really open up a lot running lanes or at least let them get 3 or so more yards

    cant wait to see what Jeremy Bates has designed for the Faiders- go BRoncoS!

  • Eric in Vegas

    I’ve got 31-24 Broncos. I LOVE the way our defense played in the red zone in the preseason (you know, compared to last regular season), but I think the Raiders will be able to pound one or two in from short yardage as our still-gelling D-Line could make a mistake or two. Taking this game in Oak-town would be HUGE as a confidence boost, and might even help push the Raiders out the door and back to LA!

  • Ken

    The inexperience of Jamarcus Russell will prove fateful. I believe the game will stay relatively close until the fourth quarter when Denver uses a few blitzes to force a key turnover that Bly or Champ run back for a quick six. The absence of Marshall should not be underrated, but the inexperience of Russell trumps all. The Raiders will not run the ball successfully against our 8 and 9 men fronts.

  • http://BroncoTalk farley

    The story says 7:15 PDT and the illustration says 7:15 MDT. Which is correct?

  • kerry

    im saying Broncos 31, Raiders 10. they cant run on our 8 man front and they have no receivers good enough to beat Champ or Bly by themselves. we will run all day on the Raiders. which will free up Cutler to have a big day.

  • BH

    Offenses usually are rusty in the the first game, so defense plays more of a role than it will in a few games when things are in synch. Oakland has a good defense which is probably better than ours. However, I agree that Russell will struggle and Cutler will have the offense performing at above average expectations for a first season game. Denver’s defense is a weakness but don’t forget that they won 7 games last year with probably the worst defense it has had since the 1960s (at least according to my uncle). And, we nearly beat some quality teams like Jax and Chicago. Plus, we DID beat Pittsburgh. The Raiders were 1-3 in preaseason, including losing 24-0 in the third game against the Cards. Denver wins 31-17. Let the fun begin. GO BRONCOS!

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    farley: Thanks for catching that. That was a mistake from the copy and paste from last time. It’s 7:15 PDT.

  • Kyle Zahar

    you guys are hilarious. we showed us 8 man front last year and we ran it on you. Our line is better our RB are better. if you wanna look at preseason we were 3rd in rushing, had 150 yards against Tennessee which is a way better defensive front. and don’t worry. our defense IS better than yours. and better than you expect. prepare to be ran on and stomped out in the collesium

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    I look for our tight ends and running backs to be very involved in our passing game. Much as they were in training camp, the Raiders have in my opinion the second or third best cornerback duo in the NFL.

    However Kyle- #3 is a must. If we’re running the ball, it’s because we don’t have to pass and if we don’t have to pass, we’ve got this game.

    I predicted about two months ago that the Broncos would lose this game, merely for over looking this opponent and I thought that Lane Kiffin would be fighting for his job. Now, by all indications I don’t think that Kiffin cares whether he is fired or not, he just wants to indicate to the rest of the NFL that he’s doing the best he can with what he’s been given.

  • http://broncos-denver-broncos.blogspot.com/ Ian Henson

    Kyle Zahar – Just reading the local papers and Raiders bloggers all summer it seems as if you’re in the minority. Reading post-game player reviews on the Raiders kind of peaked my interest, because there didn’t seem to be many good things to say.

    By all means run, you won’t be able to pass. Justin Fargas can’t save you this time, we’re Michael Phelpsing you. Lucky Brandon Marshall’s not playing, he’d be able to show the NFL why your secondary will be, well, secondary until Champ or Dre are gone… There’s always week 12 for that though.

  • OC Bronco

    What’s a collesium? F’ing moron/Raider fan! What you meant to say is the Raiduhs are gonna get blasted in their colon in their Coliseum

  • Richard

    I would think 17-3 Broncos would be about right. I an certain that Mr. Russell will be getting a HUGE dose of delayed blitzes, stunts and other little tricks. Poor guy won’t know where its going to come from next.

    The running game will be just fine against the 31st ranked run D ( thats the Raiders for the uninformed).

    Jay will be throwing under the coverage all night. Those 5-7 yd patters run by Sheffler, Graham, Young snd others will drive their linebackers crazy. When they bring the safties up, you throw the bomb to Royal.

    I expect a fairly conservative game plan against the Chokeland folks. their complete lack of a passing game will dictate that. After all, does Ashley Lelie scare anyone? Only Zack Miller is capable, and he will be covered by Boss.

  • McBillian

    drink your kool-aid!!