Denver Broncos: Stream Info and week two preview vs. Oakland
By Brad James
This is the Denver Broncos’ AFC West opener against the Oakland Raiders. This should be a great game for the Broncos to excel against their foes.
Sunday, the 1-0 Denver Broncos commence the AFC West portion of their schedule by hosting the Oakland Raiders, who are considered their most bitter rivals.
While the Raiders are coming off a short week and a Monday night 33-13 rout at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams, the Broncos should not let their guard down after a 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks.
Here’s Sayre Bedinger with his assessment of Broncos who must fare better in Week two than Week one. History has shown the Raiders to hold their own at 5,280 feet. They lead the all-time series at Denver 29-27-2. The Buffalo Bills are the only other team the Broncos have a losing record at home against.
It does bear mentioning that the Broncos have won 10 of the last 13 games in this series, however. This is a far cry from my childhood when the Raiders routinely beat the Broncos.
Statistical Analysis
Despite the Raiders’ successful history at Denver, statistics are definitely on the Broncos’ side in this one. The Broncos face a Raiders team that is -3 in turnover ratio as signal-caller Derek Carr (29 of 40, 303 yards, 3 INT’s against the Rams) committed all of his turnovers in the second half.
The Broncos, despite their turnover struggles Sunday, are actually even in turnover ratio as they forced three key turnovers against Seattle and also sacked elusive QB Russell Wilson six times.
Sans the turnovers, the Broncos’ offense was amazing Sunday. They amassed 470 yards, which is currently fifth in NFL annals. They are also averaging 6.5 yards per play, which is sixth best in the NFL.
The Broncos’ 27 points scored in the opener is tied for ninth in the NFL and the 24 they surrendered against Seattle is tied for 18th in league annals.
The Broncos ran for 146 yards against Seattle and Royce Freeman averaged 4.7 yards per carry. He was the bell-cow offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave chose down the stretch to close out the Seahawks. Seattle rushed for only 64 yards Sunday, making the Broncos the third-best rushing defense in the NFL one week in.
Keenum (25 of 39, 329 yards, 3 TD’s/3 INT’s) passed for the most yards for a new Broncos’ QB in franchise history. If he can cut down on the turnovers, the sky’s the limit for him. Also, receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10 rec, 135 yards) appears resurgent for the Broncos and Demaryius Thomas and Courtland Sutton were also solid in the passing game Sunday.
Defensively, the Broncos are allowing 242 passing yards per game (19th in the NFL) but Seattle signal-caller Russell Wilson primarily excelled on broken plays. Carr is more of a conventional pocket-passer and if the Broncos can keep him contained, the defense should be stellar.
Perhaps the Broncos’ best component from Sunday was their special teams play. Kicker Brandon McManus made field goals of 51 and 53 yards and the punt and kickoff coverage were exemplary. The Broncos are solid six-point favorites per vegas.com.
Broadcast Details
Date: Sept. 16
Start Time: 2:25 PM MT
Location: Denver, CO.
Stadium: Denver Broncos Stadium at Mile High
TV Info: CBS (506sports.com for local listings nation-wide)
Announcers: Greg Gumbel, play-by-play; Trent Green; Bruce Arians, color commentary
Live Stream: fubo.tv
Injury Updates
The Denver Broncos are completely healthy going into this game. All players are a go for Sunday’s game. It will be up to the coaches to decide which seven players won’t dress. The Raiders have ruled out promising rookie defensive tackle P.J. Hall out of Sam Houston State.
The one issue head coach Vance Joseph showed concern about for the Raiders was tight end Jared Cook. Cook had 9 grabs (on 12 targets) for 180 yards against the Rams.
Next. Broncos vs. Raiders: Five Questions About Oakland. dark
Weather Update
This week, our new Predominantly Orange weather friend, Danielle Grant of 9 News in Denver, portends a hot forecast for the game.
Another record-breaker possible tomorrow! All eyes on next Friday tho. #amiright #9wx #cowx pic.twitter.com/OFnwyAD1Iu
— Danielle Grant (@theWXwoman) September 15, 2018
The Broncos can astutely use the weather to their advantage. With 91 degree temperatures, and an elevation advantage at their disposal, the Broncos would be wise to get the Raiders gassed.
It’s a bad sign for Oakland that they wore down in the second half with Derek Carr’s play regressing at that same time. If the Broncos can take an early lead, things should work out propitiously for them. This is your game thread. Tell your friends about us. GO BRONCOS!!!