Raiders’ new DC trumps Broncos’ new OC, QB

Firing the coach in the middle of a season rarely, if ever, works in the NFL. Since 2000, 29 teams have fired the head coach. A couple have rallied — the Cowboys went 5- 3 after Jason Garrett replaced Wade Phillips ( 1- 7) in 2010; the 49ers went 5- 4 after Mike Singletary replaced Mike Nolan ( 2- 5) in 2008. And none have made the playoffs.

But firing a coordinator can have an impact, most notably in 2012, when Ravens coach John Harbaugh suddenly fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron after Joe Flacco struggled in the second half of a 31- 28 overtime loss to the Redskins in Week 14. Under Jim Caldwell, Flacco had a postseason for the ages, throwing 11 touch- down passes and no interceptions for a 117.2 rating en route to winning the Super Bowl.

The Broncos and Raiders each played that card this week in search of a spark. Broncos coach Anthony Lynn fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and promoted quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave. Raiders coach Jack Del Rio fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. and replaced him with assistant John Pagano.

The Raiders’ move is a typical wake- up call. A season after the Raiders were second in the NFL with 30 takeaways, they are last this season with six, including zero interceptions.

The Broncos’ change is a little more intriguing, though, because it comes with the promotion of Paxton Lynch at quarterback. It might be the right move, but it also plays right into the hands of a defense searching for a boost of its own.

Pick: Raiders 31, Broncos 13.

MARK POTASH