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NFL Week 9: 5 best games on Sunday

By Matt Verderame

Oct 23, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) pumps his fist during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Ford Field. Lions won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) pumps his fist during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Ford Field. Lions won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) holds back Oakland Raiders tackle Donald Penn (72) as umpire Shawn Smith (14) approaches during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) holds back Oakland Raiders tackle Donald Penn (72) as umpire Shawn Smith (14) approaches during the second half of a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Raiders won 33-16. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Without question, this is the best game of the weekend. Oakland has not been on primetime recently, but the Raiders will get their shot in the league’s most coveted schedule slot against the Broncos in the Black Hole.

Both teams are 6-2, with the lead in the AFC West on the line. Considering Kansas City is 5-2 and hosting the Jaguars this weekend, the loser will likely end up in third place. The winner will also have a 2-1 mark in the West, something that could pay huge dividends should the NFL’s division end up in a tie. The loser would be at 1-2, while the Chiefs are sitting at 2-0 with wins over the Raiders and Chargers.

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This is going to be the unstoppable force against the immovable object. Denver has the league’s best secondary led by Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby, while the Raiders have an elite passing attack with Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Carr is coming off the best game in his career, becoming the 20th player in league history to throw for 500 yards in a single game.

Denver will need to generate some offense on the road to win this game, something that has been a trouble spot for quarterback Trevor Siemian. If the Broncos can win this game, they along with the Chiefs will be in great position. Oakland would still be 6-3, but losses at home to both of their main West rivals could spell doom.

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