Oakland Raiders (1-1) at Denver Broncos (2-0) Welcome to Mile High Stadium for this week’s “Featured Game of the Week”! This week we feature our first AFC pairing, and an old rivalry revisited as the Denver Broncos (Phenom) get set to host the Oakland Raiders (Hulk_hagen_55). The Raiders are now led by young QB Terrell Pryor, after he beat out former Raider, Matt Flynn, for the starting spot. Pryor, to this point; has had a rough go of it so far in the NFL as a starter. So far this year, through two games, he’s thrown 7 interceptions and has also been sacked 7 times. While the sacks may not entirely be his fault, one of his primary strengths is supposed to be using his feet to keep plays alive. And that certainly has not been the case. This week he faces a Denver defense who is giving up just 225.0 yards per game, and has forced 6 interceptions. Pryor will also face the young QB Brock Osweiler, who unseated the legendary Peyton Manning in Denver this offseason. Osweiler has led his team to two victories and is coming off an above average performance against the New York Giants. Osweiler went 15 of 22 for 209 yards and a TD in that game. What’s more is that Osweiler protected the ball and didn’t turn the ball over once. Mix that kind of play with a heavy dose of now Bronco running back Legarette Blount, this Denver team might cause havoc for the AFC West. As for this week’s game, let’s look at it: Oakland Wins IF: Terrell Pryor uses his legs to buy time in the pocket. Too many sacks for only two games through. Pryor has to become adjusted to the speed of the NFL, and fast. They control the clock and keep the ball out of Brock Osweiler’s hands. Osweiler has great game management skills, and rarely makes a mistake. They win the field position battle. Shorter fields for Terrell Pryor can only help. Forcing him to go 80+ yards on drives will, in my opinion, lead to more mistakes. Denver Wins IF: Their defense continues to play lights out. These guys have jumped on almost every opponent error that they’ve came across. And their defense is definitely living up to the hype. They stop the run, including the "Read Option" plays. Forcing Terrell Pryor into throwing the ball will only lead to more mistakes. If they get an early lead, it may be too tough for Oakland to overcome. Julius Thomas is incorporated into their offense. Osweiler and “Orange Julius” have had great chemistry thus far. If they start clicking early, watch out. Prediction: Here we go again. 0 for 2 on the season, so let’s hope this third time is the charm! Defense wins championships, Brock Osweiler wins games. I’m going with the “Barrel Man” and his Denver Broncos! Brock Osweiler is the truth, and let’s face it, Terrell Pryor has to prove me something before I go picking him! Couple that with the fact that Oakland’s D has given up more than double the yards Denver’s D has, I just can’t go with “Skeletor” and his Oakland Raaaiiidaahs. Denver not only wins, but cruises in this one, 42-13. What say you Q Nation?! Hit up the poll as well as give some comments as to how you see it going down!
pryor ity numero uno was to beat the broncos. Plus the 2 week trand for team performance is on the rise. 0-3 is gonna sting loren. We may play as ugly as the colleseums bathrooms but you wont eny it oncce i say scorboard after the game
Impressive ThaBayouChef The Raiders fans scare me more...and I think Denver takes the home win...so far I'm 0-2 sorry for the kiss of death Phenom
Raiders will make it a game but I think the Broncos pull away late....34-20. ThaBayouChef awesome work man! It would take me a week to come up with this stuff.
Good write up Loren! I have to go with the broncos in this one.. They are clicking early as a unit and will continue the trend
Damn good write up Loren ThaBayouChef Anyone can beat anyone any week and the Raiders are a talented team with a vet owner. So I'm expecting a close down to the wire battle with a fired up Raider team with a QB who now has a chip on his shoulder. Should be a fun one!!
well weve tried to play several times last night, for some reason there were timeout issues, but i feel that this matchup especially now that each of us has seen the other its a straight up Veteran Chessmatch style game.
