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Date: Sunday, September 16, 2007

Time: 4:15 p.m. ET

Teams: Oakland Raiders (0-1) at Denver Broncos (1-0)

Location: Invesco Field @ Mile High -- Denver, CO

Weather Forcast: 86 degrees, Isolated T-Storms, 30% chance of rain

       

Some early game shockers underway, with Tampa Bay and Houston up big in the second half of their games.  Hopefully that isn't an indicator of what to expect this afternoon when the Broncos take the field against the Raiders.

We'll be live-blogging all the action, and just in case you want to travel a bit to the dark side, check out a Raiders Fan's take on the game.

Some early notes before we get things amped up for our initial home contest of 2007 --

Broncos Inactives --
CB Domonique Foxworth
DE Tim Crowder
RB Andre Hall
OL Ben Hamilton
OL Ryan Harris
LB Jamie Winborn
WR Brian Clark
DL Alvin McKinley

Raiders Inactives --
C Jeremy Newberru
OL Mario Henderson
WR Mike Williams
RB Adimchinobe Echemandu
CB John Bowie
CB Duane Starks
LB Isaiah Ekejiuba

One name not on that list is QB Josh McCown, who is active, though it is still unknown if he will start.  More to come....

Congratulations to Brett Favre...I guess. The Great Compiler has finally broken John Elway's record for most wins by an NFL Quarterback. Too bad Favre will never sniff a second ring....

Let's get ready to beat some Raider-Ass!!! It's game time!!

FIRST QUARTER

--30% chance of rain?? Looks like 100%! A passing T-Storm welcomes the kicking teams to the field, and the Raiders will get the ball first, starting from the 20.

Raiders First Drive --

--Josh McCown the surprise starter, and a big run for LaMont Jordan. Jordan was my big concern heading in.
--The Broncos defense will need to step up against the run with McCown battling several injuries.
--McCown definitely doesn't look good throwing the ball, something to keep our eyes on.
--Great job by the Broncos seeing the screen before it happens. After the big run the Broncos force a punt. Nice!

Broncos First Drive --

--Great start, an 11 yard run, followed by a 12 yard pass.
--Interesting look. Swing Selvin Young out, then throw to him deep. Great throw, but a nice play in coverage.
--Tom Nalen just doesn't like the shotgun. Cutler has trouble with the snap and ends a promising possession.
--Awesome punt by Sauerbrun backs the Raiders up.

Raiders Second Possession --

--Two solid plays by the defense keeps the Raiders offense inside the one.
--Throw at Champ Bailey and pay the price. Bailey gets his first pick and the Broncos are deep in Raider territory

Broncos Second Possession --

--What a catch by Stokely on Third and long...I know I was excited when the Broncos signed him, but if he can stay healthy the Broncos have a STEAL!!
--Damn Cutler and his back-foot throwing. Rich Gannon has a good point about the back, Cutler needs to do a better job checking down.
--Brandon Marshall = STUD!
--What looked to be a TD is negated by a penalty and the Broncos will have to try again.
--Jay Cutler gets the TD, a beautiful pass to Brandon Stokley for the TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS!!!
--BRONCOS 7 - Raiders 0 (8 plays, 29 yards, 3:48)

Raiders Third Drive --

--We are going to see alot of that bottleg today trying to protect McCown, won't matter much with that kind of accuracy.
--The Raiders are putting together a nice drive in the legs of LaMont Jordan(8 carries, 36 yards).
--Another first down, and the Raiders aren't doing anything fancy, just running the ball right up the middle.
--Raiders try a bit of trickeration, but nate Webster isn't fooled. Broncos force a long third down to end the First Quarter

END OF FIRST QUARTER -- DENVER 7 - Oakland 0