Week 2 Preview – Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders

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Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos

Sunday, September 16, 2007 – 4:15 PM EDT
CBS (KCNC TV Channel 4), KOA 850 AM, Sirius Channel 143

One of the most heated rivalries in the NFL reignites this Sunday as the Oakland Raiders (0-1-0) travel to Denver, Colorado to take on the Broncos (1-0-0). The Broncos have enjoyed 4 straight victories against their division rival, but Oakland’s last win within the AFC West was against the Broncos in 2004.

Oakland is looking for their first win this year, and their first win under new head coach Lane Kiffin. The Broncos are looking to continue their stay at the top of the AFC West and put pressure on the currently-tied-for-first Chargers.

For coach Mike Shanahan, the Broncos’ twice yearly contest against the Raiders has always been personal. Shanahan started his head coaching career in Oakland nearly two decades ago, but his now infamous dispute with owner Al Davis ultimately ended their relationship. Shanahan returned to the Denver organization a few years later, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The fan rivalry between the teams truly can’t be matched in the AFC. Between the clubs, the Broncos hold a 38-53-2 (.419) record against the Raiders all-time, including a 20-24-2 (.457) all-time home contest mark. As of late, however, the Broncos have dominated the Raiders, winning 4 straight and 7 out of the last 8 contests.

Injury Report

BRONCOS – OUT – OG Ben Hamilton (concussion), OT Ryan Harris (back). QUESTIONABLE – CB Domonique Foxworth (ankle), TE Stephen Alexander (calf), DE Tim Crowder (ankle). PROBABLE – Louis Green (LB).

RAIDERS – OUT – OLB Isaiah Ekejiuba (foot). QUESTIONABLE – QB Josh McCown (finger), CB Duane Starks (groin).

Chasing Records

With a win against Oakland, head coach Mike Shanahan will move ahead of Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram as the 10th winningest coach with a single football team all-time. … After losing his first two games and finishing the season at 2-3, young quarterback Jay Cutler hopes to finally earn a winning record in his career (the gun slinger currently sits at 3-3). … DE Simeon Rice needs 1/2 sack to tie Clyde Simmons as 12th all-time sack leader in the NFL. … C Tom Nalen need only appear at the game to tie former LB Tom Jackson as third in games appeared in Broncos history. … The Broncos have won seven straight home openers, tying the franchise record. With a win on Sunday they will break the record with eight. … As many other fans projected/anticipated, the Broncos starting cornerback duo of Champ Bailey and Dre Bly hope to earn 20 interceptions between them for the season. They amassed 0 in Week 1, and would have to gain 5 picks in the next 3 weeks to keep pace. Against a young, inexperienced Oakland offense and quarterback, look for them to make some plays.

This is one of the best rivalries in the NFL, and even though the Raiders haven’t been competitive over the past few years, it’s still one of the biggest games of the year when the Silver and Black head into Mile High.

Each Wednesday I’ll be posting these game previews, then the rest of the week will feature anything else I can think of – including roster breakdowns between the teams, news regarding our opponent, matchups, and possible interviews with a blogging fan of the other team.