Raiders-Broncos Preview

SCOUTING REPORT

Oakland won't stop downward spiral in DenverThough injuries have forced the Broncos to juggle personnel and give opportunities to younger players, they have won their last two games on the road to remain atop the AFC West. The Raiders are coming off a narrow loss to the Dolphins and haven't won since Week 7. Can Oakland find a way to stop the bleeding and get retribution for an embarrassing loss to Denver in the season opener?

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
OAK	5-11	263	388	2-6	3-5	2-4	4-8
DEN	8-8	370	448	4-4	4-4	3-3	5-7
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Oakland Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Russel... 48.8 1287 3 11 Gradko... 54.7 1007 6 3

Denver Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Orton 62.1 3802 21 12 Simms 29.4 23 0 1

Oakland Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Bush 123 589 4.8 3 Fargas 129 491 3.8 3

Denver Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Moreno 247 947 3.8 7 Buckha... 120 642 5.4 1

Oakland Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Miller 66 805 12.2 3 Murphy 34 521 15.3 4

Denver Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Marsha... 101 1120 11.1 10 Gaffne... 54 732 13.6 2

Full Player Stats: Oakland | Denver

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	OAK	272.0
	DEN	396.0
Yards Passing	OAK	148.1
	DEN	279.4
Yards Rushing	OAK	124.2
	DEN	116.4
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	OAK	360.9
	DEN	374.6
Pass Yds Allowed	OAK	201.3
	DEN	228.5
Rush Yds Allowed	OAK	159.7
	DEN	146.1

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Denver leads 10-6
Sep 8, 2008	OAK 14, @DEN 41
Dec 2, 2007	OAK 34, @DEN 20
Sep 16, 2007	OAK 20, DEN 23
Nov 12, 2006	OAK 13, @DEN 17
Oct 15, 2006	OAK 3, DEN 13
Dec 24, 2005	OAK 3, DEN 22
Nov 13, 2005	OAK 17, @DEN 31
Nov 28, 2004	OAK 25, DEN 24
Oct 17, 2004	OAK 3, @DEN 31
Nov 30, 2003	OAK 8, @DEN 22
Sep 22, 2003	OAK 10, DEN 31
Dec 22, 2002	OAK 28, @DEN 16
Nov 11, 2002	OAK 34, DEN 10
Dec 30, 2001	OAK 17, DEN 23
Nov 5, 2001	OAK 38, @DEN 28

Two weeks ago, the Denver Broncos had lost three straight games and several key players to injuries -- and they also looked to be losing their grip on the AFC West lead.

Instead, their road to the division title is clearer than ever, and they are in great position to earn a third straight victory on Sunday as they face the offensively inept Oakland Raiders at Invesco Field.

After riding Jay Cutler's arm to a 4-1 start, the Broncos (6-4) faltered defensively during a three-game skid from Oct. 12-Nov. 2. With injuries to star cornerback Champ Bailey and all three of their starting linebackers, including leading tackler D.J. Williams, it seemed unlikely things would get any better.

But that's just what has happened in road wins over Cleveland and Atlanta the last two weeks. Cutler threw for 447 yards in the 34-30 win over the Browns on Nov. 6, but Sunday's 24-20 win at Atlanta may have been even more impressive.

The Falcons hadn't lost at home this season, but the Broncos erased a late deficit with an 83-yard drive in the fourth quarter, capped by Daniel Graham's nine-yard touchdown reception. With a bevy of Denver running backs also out, including Michael Pittman and Selvin Young, rookie Peyton Hillis added a pair of rushing TDs.

"We made some big strides," coach Mike Shanahan said. "Normally, you go the other direction when you have your starters out. ... It feels pretty good to have guys step up that have really not played in the National Football League."

Besides Hillis, a seventh-round pick and lesser-known teammate of Raiders rookie Darren McFadden at Arkansas, the Broncos have stayed afloat with the help of a number of first-year players.

Rookie Spencer Larsen started at both linebacker and fullback against Atlanta, becoming the first two-way starter in franchise history. Receiver Eddie Royal continues to lead all rookies with 659 receiving yards, while rookie left tackle Ryan Clady has helped anchor Cutler's offensive line.

"We've always known that we had a real solid rookie class that consisted of a lot of mature kids that came in and had tremendous confidence in themselves," Larsen said. "We had opportunities. This team has been plagued with injuries all year. With the injuries, we rookies have been able to step up and help out."

With the benefit of playing in one of the league's weakest divisions, the Broncos hold a two-game lead on San Diego, and two of their next three games are at home against the Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs -- clubs that are a combined 3-17.

The Broncos have dominated their rivalry with the Raiders in recent years, winning six of seven and going 21-6 since 1995, including 11-2 at home.

Denver has already blown out Oakland this year, opening the season with a 41-14 road victory in a Monday night game on Sept. 8. Even without top target Brandon Marshall, who was suspended for that game, Cutler threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

"We got behind early and didn't seem to ever get in the game, that's about what I remember from that," interim Oakland coach Tom Cable said. "... But that is so long ago. To me, it is the here and the now."

The Raiders (2-8) haven't shown many signs of improvement recently, losing four straight. Even though they held a lead in the final minute of a 17-15 defeat at Miami last Sunday, they've gone three full games and 180 plays without an offensive touchdown -- easily the league's longest active streak.

Johnnie Lee Higgins gave Oakland the lead with a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the Raiders offense managed just 199 total yards. With second-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell either injured or struggling, the unit has averaged 192.3 yards and 7.8 points in the last four games.

The Raiders rank last in the league in a plethora of offensive categories, including total points, passing yards and third-down conversion percentage.

"You can't have an offense that doesn't score points," said Justin Fargas, who is Oakland's top rusher but has no touchdowns this season. "We have to pick up our side of it."

Still, Cable was encouraged by his team's effort against the Dolphins. It was the Raiders' first single-digit loss since their last victory, a 16-13 win over the New York Jets on Oct. 19, and they held their opponent to 17 points for the second straight week.

"This is good for us," Cable said. "It hurts because we lost, but we're getting closer. We've just got to keep pounding away, and we'll get a break one of these days."

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