Revisiting The Matchups: Raiders-Broncos

This game turned out to be surprisingly not close. The Raiders scored early and often and before the Broncos knew what hit them they were down 21-0. The reasons for the lopsided nature of this score can be found in the matchups we previewed leading up to this contest. Here’s a look at how those matchups turned out.

Broncos Running Game vs. Raiders Rush Defense

The Broncos gained 75 yards on 17 carries. Decent numbers that don’t give you a glimpse of the reality of this game. 21 of those yards came on 2 Kyle Orton scrambles.

The Broncos tried to establish the run game early, but found no success and then the score dictated that the Broncos running game would be a moot factor.

Other than Orton’s carries, the Broncos averaged 3.6 yards on 15 carries.

Broncos Rush Defense vs Raiders Rush Offense

The Raiders jumped out early with the passing game and defense, but they held momentum by completing dominating the Broncos with their running game.

The Raiders ended up gaining 328 yards on 52 rushing plays. Needless to say, these were both season highs. The 328 yards were the third most in franchise history.

The Raiders were led by Darren McFadden who had a career highs with 165 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries.

Despite losing C Samson Satele early and RT Langston Walker briefly, the Raiders offensive line dominated. Raiders Running Backs found holes at the line of scrimmage on almost every carry.

Broncos Pass Defense vs Raiders Pass Offense

Jason Campbell was not asked to do much and made his most important plays early. Coming off of a career worst performance the Broncos were going to try and take the Raiders running game away and make them beat them with the pass.

Campbell quickly took advantage of this and had a 43-yard touchdown pass on the game’s opening drive.

Campbell finished 12/20 with 204 yards and two touchdowns. He did this without the services of Darrius Heyward-Bey, who missed the game with the flu, and then in the second half without Louis Murphy, who left the field with what looked to be a left shoulder injury.

Darren McFadden, Jason Campbell, Oakland Defense Roll Up Broncos

Denver, CO (Sports Network) – Third-year running back Darren McFadden had the best day of his professional career, rushing for three touchdowns and catching another score, as the Oakland Raiders put up the most points in franchise history during a 59-14 rout of the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field.

McFadden carried the ball 16 times for a career-high 165 yards for the Raiders (3-4), whose previous high for points in a regular season game was 52. The Redskins hold the NFL record for the most points in a single game, beating the New York Giants, 72-41, on November 27, 1966.

Jason Campbell completed 12-of-20 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns for Oakland, which has won three straight in Denver for the first time since prevailing there in four straight contests from 1974-77.

Marcel Reece, Michael Bush, and Zach Miller also found the end zone for the Raiders, who racked up 508 yards of total offense, compared to 240 for Denver.

Kyle Orton connected on 12-of-29 passes for 198 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for the Broncos (2-5), who suffered their largest margin of defeat since losing to Kansas City, 56-10, on October 23, 1966.

Knowshon Moreno was the lone bright spot for Denver, catching two touchdown passes.

Oakland’s 59 points tied a record for the most points ever put up against the Broncos, who suffered a 59-7 loss to Kansas City on September 7, 1963.

Kyle Orton Finds Knowshon Moreno For Two Scores, Jason Campbell & Darren McFadden Respond To Keep Oakland Up Big

After managing almost nothing for the entire first half, it took four and a half minutes for the Denver offense to sputter to life. Kyle Orton completed six passes for 101 yards and found Knowshon Moreno and were the beneficiaries of a huge pass interference penalty that gave the Broncos two touchdowns and at least put them back within striking distance of the Raiders.

Unfortunately for the resurgent Bronco offense, Denver's defense can't stop the Oakland offense. Darren McFadden is close to averaging a first down on every carry (he picked up another 37 yards on five carries), and Jason Campbell continues to move the Raiders with crucial throws. Campbell found Marcel Reese for 19 yards, Nick Miller for 32 yards, and Jacoby Ford near the goal-line. The Raiders punctuated the drive by punching Reece in for one yard on 4th-and-goal.

After a three-and-out by Denver, McFadden took the next play and drove it 52 yards to the end zone. Game over. Denver's defense seems to be decimated by injury, and the inexperience is showing. Credit to Oakland, they never let up in this one and the Broncos had no average. McFadden is averaging over 10 yards per carry and has 196 yards from scrimmage on the day (16 carries, 165 yards, 2 catches for 31 yards).

For more coverage, check out the Silver & Black Pride gamethread to discuss with Raiders fans, or go to Mile High Report to talk with Broncos fans.

Raiders Up 38-0, Broncos Fans Chanting For Tim Tebow

Kyle Orton just fumbled another ball on his side of the field—Oakland’s offense has needed to move only 35 yards to score 21 of their points (one pick-six and two fumbles inside or close to their red zone). Darren McFadden just scored another touchdown. We still have another half to play. I imagine the Broncos are already thinking about what they’ll order on the flight to London.

And the Broncos crowd is chanting the dreaded “T” word. Umm, Denver fans, unless you really enjoy watching lambs being sacrificed, I’d recommend you take this rout and not have Timmy thrown out into this mess. Tebow sure didn’t lead many 38 point comebacks when he was at the Swamp. If anyone’s going to make this game somewhat competitive (I don’t believe there’s been anything bigger than a 31 point comeback in the NFL regular season, and 32 points is the most ever.), Orton’s your guy.

For more coverage, check out the Silver & Black Pride gamethread to celebrate with Raiders fans, or go to Mile High Report to comfort Broncos fans.

Darren McFadden Compounding Denver's Miseries, Powers Oakland to 31-0 Lead Over Denver

The Oakland Raiders have managed 12 first downs to Denver’s 1, 227 total yards to Denver's 34, perfect on third down conversions, and 110 rushing yards to 8. Most of the Raider offensive success has come thanks to Darren McFadden. The former Arkansas tailback has averaged nearly 12 yards a play—basically give him the ball and he’ll on average pick you up a first down. He topped it off with a 19 yard screen pass from Jason Campbell, where he powered his way into the end zone by running over Perrish Cox and giving Oakland yet another touchdown early in the second quarter. It's McFadden's second touchdown of the game, with 6 rushes for 63 yards and 2 catches for 31 yards.

It’s a stunning 31-0 with approximately three quarters left. Denver might have plenty of time to respond, but how will they stop Oakland?

Raiders Jump On Broncos, Up 21-0 Within Six Minutes

Well that was unexpected. Jason Campbell started off the scoring action with a great misdirection play. He playfaked the run to the left, the wide receivers streaked to the right, and Zach Miller snuck out and was totally wide open on the left sideline. Raiders up 7-0.

And the first two offensive plays for the Denver Broncos? Kyle Orton threw a pick-six to the other Chris Johnson. On the next possession Tim Tebow came in to run the pistol and ran a reverse to Demaryius Thomas. Thomas not only ran for no gain, but coughed the ball on the ground to Lamarr Houston. A few plays later Darren McFadden strolled into the end zone.

9 minutes left in the first quarter. Couldn’t have started any better for Oakland.

Raiders-Broncos: The Key Matchups

More than any other rivals the Raiders have it seems that in the Broncos-Raiders showdowns that conventional wisdom can get thrown out the window. Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t tell which matchups are going to determine the winner of this game.

Broncos Running Game vs. Raiders Rush Defense

The Broncos have struggled running the ball this year and the Raiders have struggled stopping the run. The Raiders defense is ranked 31st in the NFL by allowing five yards per carry.

The Broncos offense is last in the league in yards gained per carry at 2.7. This is truly a case of something has to give. Last week the Broncos run game showed its first signs of life. They managed to get 145 yards on 37 carries against the always tough Jets defense.

Broncos Rush Defense vs Raiders Rush Offense

The Broncos are currently sitting 25th in the league by allowing 4.4 yards per carry. The Raiders will look to exploit this. The Raiders may finally have a fully healthy rushing attack and come into the game 14th in the league averaging 4.2 yards per carry.

The Raiders could never get the running game untracked last week and Tom Cable attributed a large part of this to his offensive lineman playing too high. Look for this group to prove themselves in the run game again and also be bolstered by the dual threat nature of a healthy running back tandem.

Of course, with the pitiful performance put on by the Raiders passing offense last week, the Broncos will likely stack the box and make the Raiders prove they can beat them over the top. Which leads to what should be the key matchup of this game.

Broncos Pass Defense vs Raiders Pass Offense

The Broncos secondary is banged up and it is currently allowing 6.7 yards per pass attempt. This is good for a 25th ranking.

The Raiders are coming into this game off of a dismal passing performance. Their starting QB is going to be a game time decision. Jason Campbell suffered through the worst start of his career and whoever the Raiders QB is the pressure will be on them to reverse the fortunes of this team.

On the year, the Raiders are averaging 5.2 yards per pass attempt which is good for 28th in the league.

What may help the Raiders passing game in this contest is the Broncos total lack of a pass rush. They have generated only seven sacks on the season.

NFL Injury Report: Oakland Raiders Final Injury Report

The Oakland Raiders released their final injury report and they don't have a whole lot of major changes. Jason Campbell is listed as questionable after a tough going against the 49ers leading to knee injury. However, Coach Tom Cable indicated Campbell would be his starter tomorrow barring any setback with his knee.

The other significant injury issue is at running back, which saw Darren McFadden sit out last week's game against the 49ers. McFadden remains questionable this week but Cable has indicated that both he and Michael Bennett would be likely to play. Michael Bush was a bit up and down against the 49ers defensive attack and having McFadden back would only help. Additionally, the return of McFadden would likely add a bit more to the Raiders passing attack out of the backfield.

Below is the complete injury report for the Raiders:

Out: LB Travis Goethel (back), DT John Henderson (foot), LB Thomas Howard (knee), WR Chaz Schilens (knee)

Questionable: RB Michael Bennett (hamstring), S Tyvon Branch (back), QB Jason Campbell (knee), S Hiram Eugene (back), QB Bruce Gradkowski (right shoulder), RB Darren McFadden (hamstring), TE Brandon Myers (concussion)

Raiders-Broncos: A Fight To Drive The Nail In The Coffin

The Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos both come into this game fresh from deflating losses. The Broncos lost late in the 4th quarter to the New York Jets. It was a game they easily could have won and looked good in their defeat. The Raiders lost 17-9 to the 49ers. They did not look good in their defeat.

In the end, the result is the same for both teams and they find themselves headed into this game with their seasons on the line.

Not helping the chances is the fact that, health is a concern for both teams and they will both likely have several possibly key game time decisions.

One area the Broncos are relatively healthy is in the passing game. They feature one of the leagues finest passing attacks. Kyle Orton is enjoying a pro bowl type of season and he is doing it by spreading the ball around. The Broncos are currently third in passing yardage on the season.

Three Broncos WRs already have over 30 receptions and 350 yards. They are led in receiving yards by Brandon Lloyd with 663.

Defense is where the Broncos have run into most of their problems this year. Injuries are seriously affecting this side of the ball. The Broncos are currently ranked 25th in both passing and rushing yards per attempt.

Check back for a more in depth look at the matchups and any and all injury updates.