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Denver Broncos have plenty to play for vs. Raiders

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Bronco carries the ball against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Phillip Lindsay #30 of the Denver Bronco carries the ball against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter of a game at Empower Field on December 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos aren’t playing for a division title in week 17, but they have plenty to play for against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

The Denver Broncos aren’t competing for a playoff spot in their week 17 matchup against the Oakland Raiders.

They aren’t competing for a division championship.

Yet with just one game remaining, the Denver Broncos have plenty to play for.

This is a lost season in terms of playoff competition, but the Broncos are going to go out there with a lot more than just pride on the line against their division rival Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

The Broncos have lost their last two season finales, Patrick Mahomes’ first start as the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2017 season and then a forgettable 23-9 loss last year to the Los Angeles Chargers in Denver.

Seriously, I had to look that one up.

The Raiders are coming to Denver with actual playoff aspirations. The Broncos can crush those on Sunday. That right there should be enough incentive for this team to go out and try to play the role of spoiler. The Broncos don’t want the Raiders getting into the playoffs. They’re not doing anyone any favors here.

Running back Phillip Lindsay spoke about that earlier this week.

"“There is motivation anyway, anytime that you play the Raiders. That is a rival game. Second of all, we lost to them when we went there, now it’s time for them to come to us. If they think they’re going to come in here and try to clinch the playoffs, they’ve got something coming because we’re here to win the game. That’s what it is. We’re here to end our season on a right note for next year and they want to try to get to a playoff game, so it’s going to be a battle. You can say this is like a little playoff game for them because if they think they’re going to come in here and just get one, they’re sadly mistaken.”Phillip Lindsay (via Broncos PR)"

This game is like a playoff game for the Raiders. Win, and they might get in. Lose and they’ve got no chance.

The Broncos have the opportunity to win a division rivalry game, end the season on a positive note, and knock the Raiders out of the playoffs all in one fell swoop. They can leave a bad taste in Oakland’s mouth, but they can do one better than that, even.

The Broncos can actually jump to second place in the AFC West by winning this game against Oakland, which would obviously be their highest finish since 2016.

So, let’s sum up what the Broncos are looking to accomplish with a victory in week 17:

  • Beat a division rival
  • Knock the Raiders out of the playoff hunt
  • Finish 2019 on a high note
  • Take 2nd place in the AFC West

In addition to guys playing for jobs and trying to put good tape out there, I’d say that’s plenty of incentive to go and win this week 17 matchup against the Raiders, as if there weren’t enough incentive already.

Next. Broncos gifts and lumps of coal in 2019. dark

This game has plenty of meaning for the Broncos.

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