The Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders face off twice this season. First in Week Four and then again after Thanksgiving in Week 12.
After the Denver Broncos complete their only road game before the bye week, the team will welcome the Oakland Raiders to Mile High. This will be the second divisional opponent the Broncos will face in a four week span.
The Oakland Raiders are coming off their best season since their Super Bowl appearance during the 2002-03 season. However, it ended with disappointment. An injury to Derek Carr proved to be critical as the Raiders would lose in the wild card round to the Houston Texans.
As much as it makes me cringe to say this, the Oakland Raiders are slowly becoming a force in the AFC. The team made some moves in the offseason to better their chances in 2017. They are led by Carr and a really solid offensive line. The defense is also solid. The key name on the defensive side is Khalil Mack. There have been many comparisons between him and Von Miller.
The Raiders have made that first step and got to the postseason. The questions that arise for this team is can they do it again and get further?
Let us take a look at what the Oakland Raiders have done this offseason.
2017 NFL Draft
Gareon Conley, Cornerback, Ohio State
Obi Melifonwu, Safety, Connecticut
Eddie Vanderdoes, Defensive Tackle, UCLA
David Sharpe, Offensive Tackle, Florida
Marquel Lee, Linebacker, Wake Forest
Shalom Luani, Safety, Washington State
Jylan Ware, Offensive Tackle, Alabama State
Elijah Wood, Running Back, North Carolina
Treyvon Hester, Defensive Tackle, Toledo
Key Signings: Jared Cook (TE), Corderrelle Paterson (WR), Derek Carr (contract extension). Gabe Jackson (contract extension), Marshawn Lynch (acquired via trade)
Key Losses: Menelik Watson (signed with Denver), Andre Holmes (signed with Buffalo), Malcom Smith (signed with San Francisco), Matt McGloin (signed with Philadelphia), Latavius Murray (signed with Minnesota)
Closing Remarks:
The Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders play each other twice this season. The first one is during Week Four in Denver. Both of these teams will not see each other again until the Sunday after Thanksgiving in Week 12 at Oakland.
This will be a tough test for the Denver Broncos in both weeks. The Week 12 matchup will be especially tough since the playoff race will most likely be underway at this stage. Both Denver and Oakland will look to win the AFC West this season.
Both matchups will depend upon the offense, which currently swings in the Raiders favor. Derek Carr vs. Trevor Siemian/Paxton Lynch could be an interesting battle.
Next: Denver Broncos Opponent Preview: Buffalo Bills
If there is anything to take from the Raiders success, it is that it could make this once fierce rivalry strong again. For a little over a decade, the Broncos have been successful against the Raiders.
We shall see how the battle between these two teams fares this season. I am looking forward to this rivalry being reignited.