Week 17 Preview: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
By Andrew Dill
Sep 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Members of the Oakland Raiders line up agains the Denver Broncos at the line of scrimmage during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 37-21. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos (12-3) look to lock up the AFC’s number one seed this Sunday against the struggling Oakland Raiders (4-11). Denver took another blow on the defensive side of the ball as Von Miller tore his ACL in his right knee last Sunday against the Houston Texans. Denver is already without safety Rahim Moore (leg), Derek Wolfe (illness), and defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson (hip). Denver did receive some good news however, that Wes Welker, Derek Wolfe, and Kayvon Webster all returned to practice on Christmas Day.
What: Week 17: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
When: Sunday, December 29th
Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California
Time: 4:25 PM ET, 2:25 PM MT
TV: CBS
Peyton Manning recently surpassed Tom Brady’s single-season record of 5o touchdown passes and has a chance to break yet another record. Manning needs to pass for just 265 yards this week against the Oakland Raiders to break Drew Brees single-season record for pass yards in a season that was set back in 2011. Meanwhile, the Oakland Raiders haven’t defeated the Denver Broncos since September 12th, 2011, when the Raiders defeated the Broncos 23-20. But Oakland hasn’t beaten the Broncos at home at O.co Coliseum since December 19th, 2010. Peyton Manning has been a Raider killer of late, defeating them in six-straight match-ups going back to when he was quarterbacking for the Colts.
Last Meeting:
The Denver Broncos defeated the Oakland Raiders in Week 3 of the 2013 regular season, 37-21 at Sports Authority Field. Peyton Manning passed for 374 yards connecting with three touchdown passes and no interceptions. Eric Decker was Denver’s leading receiver with 8 catches for 133 yards and a score. Julius Thomas and Wes Welker were the other two players to catch a touchdown pass from Manning. Meanwhile on the Raiders, Terrelle Pryor passed for 281 yards and a touchdown as Denarius Moore burned Denver’s secondary. The receiver would catch 6 passes for 124 yards, accounting for Pryor’s lone touchdown.
Terrelle Pryor will start for the Oakland Raiders in the final week of the 2013 regular season after Matt McGloin took his spot late in the season. McGloin has played in the last six games after Pryor dealt with an MCL sprain. Here is what Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen had to say about the situation:
"“We had an opportunity to watch Matt McGloin for six games and now I want to get another opportunity to watch Terrelle go out there and play,” Allen said. “I think we need something that’s going to spark the football team and I think this can be something that can spark our team.”"
Injury Wire: Wes Welker has been ruled out along with Derek Wolfe and Steve Vallos. Kayvon Webster is questionable.
Final Score Prediction:
Denver Broncos – 38, Oakland Raiders – 24.