Broncos at Raiders: Week 16 Preview
By Tylor Walden
![DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos greets quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders on the field after a 20-19 Denver Broncos win at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos greets quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders on the field after a 20-19 Denver Broncos win at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fpredominantlyorange-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1034542704-850x560-0f13175202c4b26bd07874799190f12ef0ba361c2b4585690e208e42d89e670c.jpg)
Key Matchups
Phillip Lindsay vs. Raiders run defense
I wish I did not need to say this, but the Denver Broncos need to run the ball to be successful. And Vance needs to utilize his Pro Bowl running back in this game. Lindsay is just a few yards away from recording a 1,000 yard season.
Denver has not had a lot of 1,000 yard rushers since Terrell Davis’ retirement. C.J. Anderson was able to get it done before he was released by the Broncos the following season.
I expect Lindsay to have a bounce back game against a Raiders defense that has allowed the most rushing yards on average this season.
Von Miller vs. Raiders offense
I am not sure what happened with the Oakland Raiders offense, but it has not looked pretty. They are near the bottom in points scored and rushing yards. Where they do have some success is in the passing game.
With Brendan Langley out, the Broncos are going to be thin at the cornerback position. This is where Von Miller comes in. He will need to get some pressure on Derek Carr if the Broncos are going to be successful.
X-Factor: Justin Simmons
With the Broncos secondary banged up, the Broncos will need to keep the wide outs in check. Justin Simmons will have to cover what he can as the center fielder of the team. Anything that comes in his direction he will need to make sure does not get past him.