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Good morning, Broncos Country!
Wow, what a week. So much time spent talking about our QB, I'm afraid we have not properly prepared for Rivalry Week with my most-hated team in the AFC West - the Raiduhs!
I know the Chiefs are tops on the list for many fans here, but it's always been the Raiders for me (especially after having to get a police escort out of McAfee Coliseum when Jake Plummer and the 2006 Broncos beat the Raiders 17-13 with comeback scores in the fourth quarter).
But never fear, Broncos fans, I took one for the team on Twitter yesterday and did my best to get ready for this showdown in Oakland. I don't pick fights on Twitter; I always save for the pros (like BroncoMike - RIP my good man). But when I tweeted the Broncos' graphic (that sadly incorrectly says Charles Woodson was drafted by the Packers) all hell broke loose...or at least Oakland, which is pretty much the same thing.
Hahaha...didn't notice that error in the graphic b/c of course I stopped reading before the #Raiders info. https://t.co/xnaZ2a8Upx
— L.Lattimore-Volkmann (@docllv) October 8, 2015
That led to a ton of arguments over which team is better. Somehow Raiders fans think that because we've only won two Super Bowls (to their three), we are clearly inferior - despite their last SB win being the year The A-Team, UB40 and Ghostbusters were all popular.
You really think being a #Raiders fan the last 3 decades has been easier than being a #Broncos fan? OMG, delusional. https://t.co/Dqytq2LbgM
— L.Lattimore-Volkmann (@docllv) October 8, 2015
As is generally the case, the poor grammar made the argument difficult to continue:
Relevantly not winning rings https://t.co/et5AilJIHq
— raiders 2-1 (@fallonator007) October 8, 2015
"Relevantly"??? LOL. Glad to see that Oakland education is as good as ever. https://t.co/5L193bf2pl
— L.Lattimore-Volkmann (@docllv) October 8, 2015
Finally, I just settled on the facts:
@docllv pic.twitter.com/yelnLUlUgS
— Brooks Knolley (@KingBrooks6) October 8, 2015
But fun trash-talking aside, this is not the same irrelevant Raiders team we've played the last three (or more) years. In fact, if you were asking fans as well as Vegas, this matchup is considered to be a lot closer than many of us would like to admit.
"Sports bettors aren't buying into this team," said Zach Jones of Sports Book Review, adding that the spread dropped from 6 points to 4.5 during the week. "They're not buying 'defense wins championships' rhetoric."
That's just fine. This defense has been proving doubters wrong all season, and even Jones believes the Broncos pass rushers and secondary will be too much for Derek Carr and the Raiders while Manning and the Broncos offense will be able to overcome an "anemic" Oakland defense.
"You have to think the Raiders will give Manning some trouble, but Peyton knows this is a game he can't lose," Jones said. "The Raiders have the hype but at 2-2 with losses to the Bears and wins over only the Browns and Ravens, they haven't proved themselves."
Jack Del Rio and the Raiders will certainly be looking to do that when they host the Broncos Sunday. With an improved sophomore quarterback in Carr plus rookie standout Amari Cooper and Latavius Murray in the backfield, the Raiders have some scoring weapons. Anemic or not, the Raiders defense still boasts Khalil Mack, who will be gunning for Manning all day - something Coach Gary Kubiak plans to avoid.
"The biggest thing is hopefully you're not protecting against him all day," Kubiak said, adding that getting down against the Raiders and having to throw every play is going to mean trouble. "[Mack] is a heck of a player and very versatile. We've got our work cut out for us."
So hopefully that elusive Broncos running game will show even more improvement than it did last week, which offensive coordinator Rick Dennison expects given the gradual improvement every week.
"I think the guys are just getting a little bit better. We're still climbing on there. We've still got a ways to go. If they keep growing together and understanding, I think we'll be in good shape," Dennison said. "Obviously we know we need to improve. We know we need to get better."
First 1/4 of the season in the books and we're sitting right where we wanna be, 4⃣&0⃣ baby! #Splashplay pic.twitter.com/doMPxpQPD3
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) October 5, 2015
Since the Raiders haven't been all that good at covering tight ends, it's possible the Broncos will showcase Virgil Green and Owen Daniels a little more. But don't expect Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to just be decoys.
"We're trying to find holes no matter what. We've got a good set of receivers, obviously very good. We're trying to spread the ball. We're trying to find our creases wherever they are," Dennison said. "We've got our set of plays, we'll keep working on what we need to do and try and get 18 to give the ball to everybody - whoever is open."
But whether it is running backs, wide receivers or tight ends, Dennison said an emphasis this week has been being better on first downs.
"You address being really good on first down because second-and-10 stinks," Dennison said. "You want to have a little bit better play selection. Second-and-5 is a heck of a lot better than second-and-10. ...We'll keep pressing and make them defend the entire field. That's what we're trying to do."
The Broncos defense on the other hand will be trying to do the opposite - keeping Murray and Cooper locked in tight. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips noted that super-tacklers like Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan will be a key to stopping anything that moves downfield.
"Well, we have two guys in the middle that I think are really good tacklers," said Phillips. "Marshall is making a lot of plays and Trevathan. Both of those guys are sure-tacklers; they're after the football every play and they play the way we like them to play."
#Broncos' @BossWard43 on Wade Phillips' defensive scheme: "He's using me how I should be used." #BossUp pic.twitter.com/bMByCb4C6i
— L.Lattimore-Volkmann (@docllv) October 8, 2015
Getting to play "the way he likes to play" is definitely how safety T.J, Ward feels about being on this defense.
"Coach Wade has been putting great game plans together," said Ward. "He's using me exactly how I wish to be used, so I'll just keep listening to Joe Woods and Coach Wade."
The AFC Defensive Player of the Week and also East Bay native is excited to play "in his crib" this week.
"I love playing at home in the Bay Area," said Ward. "I seem to play some really good football when I go home. I'm really looking forward to it."
Raiders quarterback Carr may not be looking forward to having Ward, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware breathing down his neck Sunday, but all three defenders praised the young QB.
"He's a better quarterback than he was last year. You can see it. He's poised. He makes a lot of quick decisions. He's not holding the ball for four, five seconds," Miller said. "He's starting to become the quarterback that I think they drafted."
Ware believes Carr's quickness at getting the ball off will be their biggest challenge.
"The key word that you just said is, 'quick.' That's how he really gets the ball off. He's progressed a lot from last year and he's that all-around quarterback that can string plays out, but he's versatile," Ware said of Carr. "First of all, you have to stop the run, that's what we mainly try to do on defense, and we have to get pressure on him when it's passing situations."
Either way, Ward knows the Broncos will need to be ready for anything on Sunday.
"They're kind of up and down, and you have to be ready for whatever team you get," Ward said. "You can't be just lackadaisical because then they'll hit you with a big play, and we all know that big plays wins games, so you can lose a game quickly in the NFL. We just have to be on our P's and Q's."
Miller also preaches "focus" against this Raiders team.
"We've just got to go in there and play our defense," Ward said. "They're going to make some catches, we've just got to be there. We've got to be on our own, create some turnovers and just be the same type of defense that we've been. We'll be alright."
Take that, Vegas.
Horse Tracks
How Broncos DE Derek Wolfe stayed in 'game shape' during suspension - The Denver Post
With help from Denver-based trainer Loren Landow and a pair of former Broncos players, defensive end Derek Wolfe never strayed too far from the game.
Broncos Injury Update Thursday: Sambrailo, Latimer still sidelined
Ty Sambrailo worked with a strength-and-conditioning coach, while Cody Latimer and Todd Davis watched from the sideline Thursday afternoon.
Broncos K Brandon McManus is NFL's best per PFF
Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus has been the best in the NFL through the first four games of the season according to Pro Football Focus.
Blitz! Wade Phillips has Broncos blitzing more this year
ENGLEWOOD—Blitz, blitz, it's the Broncos' blitz! Wade Phillips may be old enough to have watched Johnny Unitas in the Greatest NFL Game Ever Played.
How Broncos DE Derek Wolfe stayed in 'game shape' during suspension - The Denver Post
With help from Denver-based trainer Loren Landow and a pair of former Broncos players, defensive end Derek Wolfe never strayed too far from the game. Jack Del Rio represents a villain to Broncos fans. He coaches the Oakland Raiders, for starters, and anger remains after his decision not to let Chris Harris guard slot receiver T.Y. Hilton in a playoff loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
I have some very exciting news to share with my fans tomorrow. Stay tuned... #bossup #wardboy
— T.J. Ward (@BossWard43) October 8, 2015
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio is "very familiar" with Peyton Manning "He's a machine" - Silver And Black Pride
Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio has the unenviable task this week of preparing his team to face Peyton Manning. But it seems like Del Rio just can't seem to stay away from the future Hall of Famer.
Raiders' Janikowski could kick into his 'mid-40s' - NFL.com
The Polish Cannon hasn't missed a field goal or an extra point so far in 2015, which is more than most kickers can say. How long can Sebastian Janikowski keep kicking?
Raiders absolutely must attack Broncos weak offensive line - Silver And Black Pride
Give Peyton Manning time and he will pick your team apart. Even at 4-0 on the season, the Broncos offensive line has not given Manning a lot of time. They also haven't given the running backs much...
Denver Broncos: Keys to defeating the Raiders in week five - Gridiron Orange
The Denver Broncos travel to Oakland to face the Raiders in one of the best rivalries in the NFL. Read how the Broncos can bring home the victory.
Manning gearing up for rivalry game vs. Raiders - ESPN Video
Broncos QB Peyton Manning says he was happy to see the three remaining members of the 1998 draft class play last week, and he also shares his thoughts on the Denver-Oakland rivalry.
Broncos Q&A: Shane Ray talks sacks, Von Miller's dancing, more - The Denver Post
Broncos rookie Shane Ray opened up about his NFL start, his first career sack and Von Miller's sack dancing.
Raiders week matters, even if it’s being downplayed | Mile High Sports
"Raider Week" is upon us, and with that comes the inevitable dialogue about the rivalry and the unfortunate fact that of late it has been hardly competitive.
Who has the edge in Broncos vs. Raiders? - The Denver Post
Ronnie Hillman's touchdown blast last week brought energy to a dead run game.
Oakland coach Jack Del Rio talks about Broncos' Peyton Manning - The Denver Post
"The bottom line is that he's seen it all. He's always on top of preparation, and the work ethic is second to none. He's obviously broken just about every record and will break the rest of them shortly. The guy is such an accomplished player, such a good person and a great competitor. I have a lot of respect for him," Jack Del Rio said.
And Elway called it 'good' | High Altitude
All this worry over Peyton Manning and complaints on how the Denver Broncos - our 4-0 Denver Broncos, mind you - won on Sunday reminds me of a story. It's about a man, a woman, an apple and a snake.
Greg Hardy's Jokes in Return to NFL Are Not Just Tasteless, but Very Troubling | Bleacher Report
Fresh off a four-game suspension for domestic violence stemming from an incident that included, according to court testimony, throwing alleged victim Nicole Holder onto a futon covered with rifles, Greg Hardy told reporters he hopes to "come out guns blazin' " against the Patriots this Sunday.
Hidden Truths: How Belichick Is Changing the NFL with Revolutionary Strategy | Bleacher Report
Whatever your opinion may be of Bill Belichick, few can argue the amount of intelligence Belichick possesses. What strategy is Belichick implementing that will catch on throughout the NFL?
Cubs 4, Pirates 0: Jake Arrieta Leads Cubs To Wild-Card Win... On To St. Louis! - Bleed Cubbie Blue
(Shhh....I know this is the Broncos' site. But the Cubs are in the postseason...that's some sort of good luck, so here's one small story on it.) The Cubs broke their nine-game postseason losing streak behind the strong arm of Jake Arrieta, and head to St. Louis for the first-ever Cubs/Cardinals playoff series.... just like we dreamed it.
Rookie of the Year watch: Todd Gurley comes alive! - NFL.com
The Rams' grand plans are coming together with Todd Gurley emerging as a dominant force in Week 4. Find out who else made Chris Wesseling's Rookie of the Year watch this week.