Broncos at Raiders
THE STORY: The Oakland Raiders moved into a first-place tie in the AFC West last week without putting on their uniforms. Staying there shouldn’t be much of a problem when they go for their fifth straight victory over the lowly Denver Broncos on Sunday. Oakland’s biggest concern is the health of running back Darren McFadden, who has been ruled out with a sprained foot. It might not matter with backup Michael Bush getting the bulk of the work because the Raiders have dominated the Broncos on the ground of late. Denver will try to bounce back from their 45-10 debacle against Detroit last week – quarterback Tim Tebow’s worst loss as a starting quarterback at any level – in one of the most hostile environments in sports. Another bad game by the Broncos and their quarterback could signal the end of the Tebow experiment.
TV: CBS, 4:05 p.m. ET. LINE: Raiders -9, O/U 42.5
ABOUT THE RAIDERS (4-3): Oakland’s game plan should be simple – run the ball. The Raiders have rushed for 518 yards – 315 by McFadden – in their last two games against the Broncos, including 190 in their 23-20 victory in Week 1. Carson Palmer will make his first start as a Raider. He replaced Kyle Boller to start the second half of Oakland’s 28-0 loss to Kansas City two weeks ago in his first action of the season and threw three interceptions after being acquired five days before the game. Oakland signed wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh on Tuesday – he and Palmer played six seasons together in Cincinnati.
ABOUT THE BRONCOS (2-5): Denver allows 28.6 points per game, second-worst in the NFL (Indianapolis, 31.5). Rookie outside linebacker Von Miller had his five-game sack streak snapped last week, but remains the brightest spot on defense. He is second among NFL rookies with six sacks (49ers’ Aldon Smith, 6.5). Running back Willis McGahee, who missed last week’s game with a broken bone in his hand, could return. Tebow has completed only 46.1 percent of his passes this season and is 2-3 in his career as a starter. Denver is 8-25 in its last 33 games, the league’s worst record during that span.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Tebow has been sacked 13 times in the last two weeks. The Raiders sacked Kyle Orton five times in Week 1.
2. The Raiders will hold McFadden out hoping he'll be ready for a more important game – Thursday’s showdown at the San Diego Chargers.
3. Oakland has won eight of its last nine against the AFC West.