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Broncos vs. Raiders: Week One Preview

By Shelby Manning

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders throws against Derek Wolfe #95 of the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 16: Quarterback Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders throws against Derek Wolfe #95 of the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Joe Flacco
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on August 19, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Top Storylines

As we know, the top story line going into this game is the Antonio Brown saga. Unless you have been living under a rock (and if you have, I envy you!), you have been following this situation over in the Bay era. After frozen feet, skipping practice, an intense altercation with GM Mike Mayock, a tearful apology and THEN potentially wiretapping head coach Jon Gruden, Antonio Brown has been released by the Raiders as of this morning.

In his brief time with the Raiders, Antonio Brown brought nothing but an offseason full of drama and likely regret for the Raiders front office and team. However, Oakland was able to cut their losses a bit with the ability to void all guaranteed money in his contract, leaving him with virtually nothing.

On the opposite spectrum, the top story line over in the Mile High City revolves around veteran QB Joe Flacco. Joe Flacco drove a dagger into the hearts of Broncos’ fans in 2012 on his Super Bowl run, and now is starting for the team he beat in such dramatic fashion in a double-overtime duel. While Joe Flacco has had playoff success and shows flashes of great talent, he has also exhibited inconsistent play, eventually causing him to lose his starting job to Lamar Jackson last season.

Since Peyton Manning’s departure in 2016, Denver has not found their QB, going through Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Case Keenum all earning starts and not proving to be the guy. With Denver drafting Mizzou’s Drew Lock in the second round, there is hope that he is the future of the Broncos, and that Joe Flacco is a temporary solution. Drew Lock is currently on IR for a thumb injury, so it’ll likely be a while before we get a look at him in regular season play.

It is hopeful that Joe Flacco can provide some solid production in Denver before he decides to call it a career. If he can’t, it will be just another name added to the list of failed Broncos’ QB’s, and John Elway will be on the search once again.

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