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Raiders at Broncos: Game preview, odds, prediction

By Brad Weiss

Nov 21, 2016; Mexico City, MEX; Oakland Raiders Khalil Mack (52) moves at the snap during a NFL International Series game against the Houston Texans at Estadio Azteca. The Raiders defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Mexico City, MEX; Oakland Raiders Khalil Mack (52) moves at the snap during a NFL International Series game against the Houston Texans at Estadio Azteca. The Raiders defeated the Texans 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Raiders will head to Denver to take on the Broncos on Sunday with an opportunity to lock up at least the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Last weekend, the Oakland Raiders won their 12 game of the season, beating the Indianapolis Colts at home. However, the team actually suffered a horrific loss, as star quarterback Derek Carr broke his fibula in the fourth quarter. Carr was injured with the team up by 19 points with 11 minutes left in the game, and the real question is why was he even in the game.

Regardless, the Raiders will now have Matt McGloin under center, as the former Penn State quarterback will guide the Raiders through their first playoff appearance in 15 years. McGloin has started in the past, and has been with the organization for a long time, so he is at least familiar with the players and the system. The team has rallied around McGloin, and the hope is they can win without a player who is the heart and soul of the team.

For Denver, they will start Trevor Siemian on Sunday, but rookie Paxton Lynch is expected to see time. Lynch has started two games for the BRoncos, and he and Siemian will likely be battling it out for the starting spot heading into the 2017 season. Siemian has played very well for a player who had not started a game in the NFL before this season, but the offense has been stagnant in recent weeks.

Odds

Line: Denver (-1)

Over/Under: 40.5

With a win, the Raiders will lock up at least the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, though McGloin will have to navigate an elite Denver defense to do so. The Broncos will be without DeMarcus Ware on Sunday, as the star defensive end was place on injured reserve on Wednesday. Still, the Broncos have plenty of stars left on their defense, and there is a reason they are actually favored against the division leading Raiders on Sunday.

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Despite the fact that Carr is out, the Raiders should be able to win the game on Sunday. Denver has looked very bad on offense as of late, and Oakland will be looking to prove that they can win even with McGloin under center. A win on Sunday would prove huge to McGloin’s psyche, and would guarantee the Raiders a bye and a home game in the playoffs. This one is going to be close, but Oakland should win by a field goal.

Prediction: Raiders 24 Broncos 21

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