Broncos get it done in Oakland, sights on #2 seed...

The Denver Broncos continued their strangle hold over the rest of the division this past week as they traveled to the "Black Hole" to take on the Oakland Raiders.  Coming off a big and convincing victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Broncos had a quick turn around as they played their game on a Thursday night.

Records go out the window when these two teams play, particularly under the lights in primetime.  This matchup was no different.  The Broncos jumped out quick, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive as QB Peyton Manning connected with TE Joel Dresseen.  The Broncos following two drives resulted in field goals that put the Broncos up 13-0 going late into the second quarter.

As mentioned, when these two teams, records go out the window, and Oakland certainly showed it.  The result of the stalled drives was pressure put on Manning by the Raiders.  They managed to camp in the back field with the Broncos for much of the night.  The Raider defense played decent at times in the game, coming up with three sacks, three pass deflections and four QB hits.

What was key in the Raider defense was getting pressure on Manning, forcing him to try and take a stab at the endzone.  CB Phillip Adams was able to get his hands on a pass the was underthrown, touchback, Raiders ball at the twenty.  The Raiders took time of the clock, building momentum as the Raiders kept the Bronco defense for better than six minutes.  In that drive, Oakland went nine plays in "No Huddle" on a 14 play drive.  QB Carson Palmer went 9 for 11, 80 yards that was capped off with a six yard pass to RB Darren McFadden for the touchdown to help close out the first half down 13-7. 

Oakland came out in the second half giving the Broncos a little bit of a scare as on the first play of the third quarter, McFadden gets to the outside and runs up the sideline for 36 yards.  The Bronco defense buckled down and forced the Raiders to punt.  Manning (26-of-36, 310, TD, INT) helped moved the ball with a couple passes completed for better than 20 yards.  RB Knowshon Moreno (32 carries, 119 yards, TD) helped move the chains that eventually lead to a field goal. 

On a week in, week out basis, the Denver defense makes a play that helps blow a game wide open.  This week wasn't any different.  On 3rd and 6 from the Raider 12, LB and DPOY candidate Von Miller blew passed RT Clint Barmes to get to Palmer for the strip/sack, Bronco recovery.  Two plays later, Moreno bulls his way in to take a 23-7 lead. 

The defense gave up a touch late in the fourth quarter, but the game as out of hand as the Broncos go on to win 26-13 and improve 5-0 in the division and 10-3 overall.  The Broncos had their struggles in the game.  The running, despite having put up 140 yards on the ground, it took 39 attempts (3.6 yards per carry average) to get there.  This team is dealing with some injuries as G Chris Kuper is out for the second time of the season, and RB Willis McGahee gone until the AFC Championship at the least.  On this night, after taking a lead, it was enough to help run time off the clock to help preserve the win says Head Coach John Fox.

“I think you do what it takes to win. This is a timed game and we were trying to run some time off the clock. I think that will help us moving forward, you develop a little bit of a mindset. I think it was good for our offensive line. The blocking elements as well as the running backs to be able to do that to close out a game.”

The Broncos have some extended time off to prepare for the east coast trip to Baltimore to take on the Ravens.  Right now, the Broncos await to see what happens with the game between the Texans and Patriots.  Should Denver be able to go to Baltimore an exercise the demons with the Ravens.  Denver is winless (0-5) in Baltimore.  Last time these two matched up, Denver lost to Baltimore 31-17.  RB Ray Rice ran the ball 27 times for 133 yards and 2 TD's and as a team, 233 yards.  Should New England lose tonight, Denver will be the current two seed.  A New England win, Denver will be the three seed, a game up on Baltimore and a win against Baltimore would almost cement the Broncos in the three seed and a wildcard game at home.  A loss to Baltimore and Denver will be looking up at three teams as they would sit in the fourth spot. 

Three weeks of football left to be played, playoffs are coming into clarity, but positioning is very fluid right now and anything can happen.