Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos -- A Primer
After earning comeback road wins during each of their last two games, the Denver Broncos (6-4) return home this week to face the Oakland Raiders (2-8) on Sunday. Kickoff at INVESCO Field at Mile High is set for 2:05 p.m. MST, and the game will be televised by CBS with Dick Enberg and Randy Cross calling the action.
Denver is coming off a 24-20 win at Atlanta on Sunday against a Falcons squad that entered the game undefeated (4-0) at home. The Broncos trailed 20-17 in the fourth quarter before driving 83 yards in 10 plays for tight end Daniel Graham's 9-yard touchdown grab with 5:35 remaining that proved to be the game-winning score.
Winners of their first game against Oakland this year by a 41-14 margin on Monday Night Football in Week 1, the Broncos on Sunday look to sweep their season series with the Raiders for the ninth time in Mike Shanahan's 14 seasons as head coach (1995-Pres.). Shanahan owns a 21-6 (.778) career record against the Raiders, who have lost their last four games and last week at Miami were unable to hold onto a 15-14 lead with five minutes remaining in their 17-15 defeat to the Dolphins.
The Broncos enter this week's game with a two-game lead atop the AFC West over San Diego (4-6), which hosts Indianapolis on Sunday night. Denver has held the outright division lead following every week this season, marking only the second time in club history (1997) that it has been alone in first place through each of its first 10 games of a season. The team joins the 10-0 Tennessee Titans (AFC South) as one of two clubs in the NFL this year to own sole possession of first place in their division following every game.
While a team's turnover ratio often is indicative of its success, few teams in the NFL have proven that like the Broncos this year. Denver is 5-0 during the regular season and 7-0 including the preseason in games in which it posts an even or positive turnover ratio.
Seven different Broncos rookies have combined to make a total of 28 starts for the club this year. That group includes Spencer Larsen, who last week at Atlanta became the fourth player in the NFL since 1990 and the first player in Denver history to start the same game on both offense (fullback) and defense (middle linebacker).
PREVIOUS 5 MEETINGS
DENVER 41, at OAKLAND 14 (Sept. 8, 2008)
Denver improves to 31-17-1 all-time in season openers for a .633 winning percentage that is the third best in NFL history with their 41-14 win at Oakland on Monday Night Football... Broncos Head Coach Mike Shanahan improves to 12-4 in season openers for his career... Broncos rookie WR Eddie Royal finishes with the most receiving yards (146) and the fourth-most receptions (9) of any player in Week 1... Royal's 146 receiving yards are the sixth most by a player in his NFL debut in league history with those records dating back to 1960... The Broncos take a 27-0 lead into the fourth quarter... Denver holds Oakland to 2-of-12 (16.7%) success on third downs... Broncos QB Jay Cutler posts his third career 300-yard game as he completes 16-of-24 passes for 300 yards with two touchdowns (137.3 rtg.)... With T Ryan Clady and Royal in the starting lineup, the Broncos became the first non-expansion team in the NFL to start a rookie at both tackle and wide receiver in a regular- season opener in eight seasons (Pittsburgh in 2000).
at OAKLAND 34, DENVER 20 (Dec. 2, 2007)
Denver's loss to the Raiders snaps its four-game road winning streak against Oakland and its five-game overall winning streak against the franchise... The Broncos score a touchdown on their opening drive of the game for the third time this season... Denver's 83-yard opening drive was its longest of the season... QB Jay Cutler's 58-yard pass to WR Brandon Stokley in the third quarter was the ninth 40+yard completion of his career... Stokley (102 yds.) recorded the eighth 100-yard receiving game of his career (7th regular season) and first as a Bronco... Denver forces four fumbles for the third consecutive game, and the club recovers one (LB D.J. Williams).
at DENVER 23, OAKLAND 20 OT (Sept. 16, 2007)
For the second consecutive week, Broncos K Jason Elam kicks a game-winning field goal with his 23-yarder in overtime giving Denver the victory... Elam finishes the game with three field goals, including a 20-yarder with 2:18 left in the game to tie the score at 20... Denver has an individual 100-yard rusher (Travis Henry, 128) and 100-yard receiver (Javon Walker, 101) for the second game in a row... The Broncos outgain the Raiders 441 to 253 yards, including a 260 to 53 passing yard advantage... The 53 passing yards allowed by the Broncos marked the second-lowest total allowed by Denver in the Mike Shanahan era (1995-Pres.) Shanahan passes Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Hank Stram to move into sole possession of 10th place in National Football League history in career wins with one team (125).
DENVER 17, at OAKLAND 13 (Nov. 12, 2006)
Denver posts its fourth consecutive road win with its victory in Oakland, marking the club's longest such streak since it won six away games in a row in 1998... Broncos QB Plummer authors his 31st career game-winning or game-tying drive in the fourth quarter and 23rd "pure" comeback against the Raiders (Denver trailed 13-7 in the fourth quarter)... Broncos FB Kyle Johnson's 1-yard touchdown grab early in the fourth quarter proves to be the game-winning score... TE Stephen Alexander totals the most catches (6) by a Denver tight end in a game since the 2005 season opener (Jeb Putzier, 7 rec.)... Denver limits the Raiders to a 1.8-yard rushing average (26 att. for 46 yds.).
at DENVER 13, OAKLAND 3 (Oct. 15, 2006)
The Broncos extend their regular-season home winning streak to 13 games with their win against Oakland... Broncos K Jason Elam moves into 10th all-time in NFL history in career points scored (1,589) with seven (2 FG, 1 PAT) against the Raiders, passing Al Del Greco... Denver limits the Raiders to 20 plays in plus territory (past 50-yard line) for a net gain of 31 yards... Denver allows only one third-down conversion in the second half for the fifth consecutive game... Broncos DE Elvis Dumervil (2 sacks) posts the first multiple sack game by a Broncos rookie since Monsanto Pope had two against the Raiders on Dec. 22, 2002.
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33 comments
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Comments
I love Raider week!
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 18, 2008 4:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I was gonna post the same thing Mermaid
Especially at home.
Touchdowns win championships?
by 53guys on Nov 18, 2008 4:05 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno...
The guys have a remarkable habit of choking on these gimmes. Let’s just say, losing to the Chefs at Arrowhead was bad enough, but losing to the raiders at home is beyond the pale.
Now that I have said it, let it NOT be so. /knocks wood
Blast and botheration.
by Silverblood on Nov 18, 2008 4:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Why does it seem like it always snows when the raiders come to town?
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 18, 2008 5:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno
But at this point, a little holiday-ish snow would be preferential to pretty much constant rain, which is what it’s been doing here.
Blast and botheration.
by Silverblood on Nov 18, 2008 5:43 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Silver--I agree--we can't 'surprise' the faiders--they hate us. They always play us tough at home.
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on Nov 18, 2008 7:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I think that may change this time around
The Faders are perhaps worse than last year. I see a blowout coming.
Touchdowns win championships?
by 53guys on Nov 19, 2008 2:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Ahem...
raider week.
I’m feeling a little too comfortable about this one. I don’t know why, I just am. Going into a game saying, “we should win this one” is always a bad idea. Hopefully the team can keep its eyes on the goal and improve to 7-4. This is an absolute must-win game for us, in every sense of the word. We have to go out there and win, win big, and look good doing it. Build up a little more momentum before we make the trip to New York.
His Highness, The Duke of Juke, Fast Easy Eddie Casino Crown Royale With Cheese!
by papigrande on Nov 18, 2008 4:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
The interesting tidbit...
Denver has held the outright division lead following every week this season, marking only the second time in club history (1997) that it has been alone in first place through each of its first 10 games of a season.
Hard to believe, and hopefully a sign of things to come….Of course, remember that the Broncos didn’t actually win the AFC West that year, finishing behind the Chiefs before beating them in the playoffs at Arrowhead.
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport
Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com
by John Bena on Nov 18, 2008 4:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
That kind of feat is darn near impossible to duplicate since all three other divisional rivals must lose Week 1 for that to happen. lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
by Tim Lynch on Nov 18, 2008 4:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Good point.
How often does that happen, and to have two divisions do it in the same year? By the way, those two head coaches are not only friends, but also the two longest tenured coaches in the game right now.
by metalman5050 on Nov 18, 2008 4:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Don;t make me go figure it out....
I’m sure it isn’t as hard as say……..travelling from west to east and playing at 1:00PM est…Is it??!?
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport
Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com
by John Bena on Nov 18, 2008 4:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Think about it...
in order for the above thing to happen, all of your divisional rivals must lost week 1 then that team has to keep its sole possession of the division every week there after. I would guess that it happens once or twice every couple of years in the entire league. But yea, don’t go figure it out. Still interesting to know that we may lead this division from start to finish! THAT has never happened to the Broncos before. :)
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
by Tim Lynch on Nov 18, 2008 5:02 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
It's is so nice to see the 2-8 under that fader emblem. :P
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
by Tim Lynch on Nov 18, 2008 4:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Let's hope it doesn't go to 3-8. We need to take this game as of most importance--we must not take this game lightly. We just can't!
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on Nov 18, 2008 7:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Dropped Passes
I would like to see the Bronco recievers avoid dropping passes. Also, Less IR more Heathy players!
Victor Frankl:
What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.
Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
by wyoeng on Nov 18, 2008 4:29 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
There may be a blessing behind the injuries--a very young very hungry bunch of players.
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on Nov 18, 2008 7:15 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I wasn't too happy when I saw that stat.
I think we lead the league in that category.
"It doesn't dissipate" ~ Mike Shanahan
Cutler's 4th qtr/OT game winning drives: 6
by weazel on Nov 18, 2008 7:26 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Check out this link
SI’s playoff projections. #2 seed? Baby?!
His Highness, The Duke of Juke, Fast Easy Eddie Casino Crown Royale With Cheese!
by papigrande on Nov 18, 2008 4:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
giggity giggity...Great Find Papi!
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
by Tim Lynch on Nov 18, 2008 4:49 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
that makes me nervous!
Are they trying to jinx us?
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 18, 2008 5:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
dude...I thought we were excessively optimistic.
That guy has us winning all the remaining games except Carolina.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 18, 2008 5:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Papi
The guy must have read my story “Denver in the Driver’s Seat”. I think we are a razor’s edge from the number two seed (looking at the schedule remaining for the Jets and PITT). Are we “good enough” to be a 2nd seed team? I don’t really think so. But I’ll take it if we can get it.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Nov 18, 2008 6:54 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm. He is my friend. Don't know who this Dom Bonvissuto is.? I should--he must live in la-la-land...
The best defense is a good defense!
And last week's young players. Yes!
by Mike Clark on Nov 18, 2008 7:21 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Off-topic, but....
I’d like to ask for the support of the MHR community for a fellow Broncos fan who doesn’t post here, but is currently foremost in my and Squeaky’s thoughts just the same: Our dad.
We heard this morning (afternoon for me) that Dad took a bad fall while bike riding and is now in a Denver hospital. He appears to have a broken femur and is in a ton of pain — he had to wait several hours in the ER just for a bed and is now in a room, but will be going into surgery in just about an hour.
Dad is very active and in great shape, but his bones unfortunately aren’t as committed to never growing up as he is. This is his second traumatic injury in two years, weirdly enough the last one was in November as well, 2006, when he broke his pelvis while skiing. So by November 2010 he’ll have it down to a science?! I really hope not. The last time we talked, last night, we shared our joy and, it has to be admitted, surprise that the Broncos had beaten the Falcons. Dad likes watching Cutler play and wonders, like the rest of us, if we have a defense, or it is just an urban legend.
This injury comes at a devastating time for us practically and financially. We can’t afford the hospital bills/surgeon’s costs/rehab, although I’m sure we’ll figure out something (and there is also the small fact that I would like to continue eating while overseas). At least we do have insurance, but I don’t know how far that’s going to go. And since Squeaky and I are in NY and England, and Dad is at home in CO, all we can do is wait for second-and-thirdhand knowledge, which is really tough. So… if you have a second… prayers, good thoughts, or happy karma is all really, really appreciated.
Thanks guys.
Blast and botheration.
by Silverblood on Nov 18, 2008 8:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Scratch that...
Surgery tomorrow. Apparently someone got to take his slot.
I love the American healthcare system….
Blast and botheration.
by Silverblood on Nov 18, 2008 9:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Hang in there and be optimistic
It’s always best to hope for the best, expecting negatives wears a person out.
The future looks so bright that we're going to need blue and orange sunglasses!
by Arctic Bronco on Nov 18, 2008 11:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Best wishes Silver and.........
My prayers are with your family and your Dad. I pray for a speedy recovery and divine help to solve the financial issues for your family. Hang in there, it will all be okay. I believe it
DD
"If Denver beats us, I'll walk back to Detroit" - Alex Karras
by Denver Diehard on Nov 19, 2008 2:00 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
If there is anything we can do let us know…All positive thoughts/wishes/prayers to you, your father and your sister!
-TSG
SBNation's Denver Broncos Blogger
MileHighReport
Questions, Comments...E-Mail Me!
milehighreport@gmail.com
by John Bena on Nov 19, 2008 6:56 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
raider week as a bronco fan in kansas...
kinda lonely…but heres hoping for some deja vu from week 1!
by thejbow on Nov 18, 2008 11:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
It's Raider week which means.........
I loose all sense and sensibility. My extreme bias takes over. The only “real” two games of the season are Denver Raiders, and Raiders Denver. This is the 2nd half of my season and nothing NOTHING is more imortant than stomping Oakland. This team has confidence against them and I see another huge Denver victory! GO Broncos! Kill the Raiders! ! !
"If Denver beats us, I'll walk back to Detroit" - Alex Karras
by Denver Diehard on Nov 19, 2008 2:04 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
They'll Show Up
If we’re all smart enough to know not to overlook the Raiders, I am sure the folks at Dove Valley who have devoted their entire lives to professional football know not to as well. Denver will show up this weekend, and The Mastermind – as always – will have something very special in mind for Big Al and his goons.
The Broncos look to have turned a corner the last couple of weeks, and I think they’ll come up big this weekend.
by TheMastermind on Nov 19, 2008 8:10 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

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