RAIDERS (12-3) VS. BRONCOS (8-7)
SUNDAY, 4:25 P.M. ET, SPORTS AUTHORITY FIELD AT MILE HIGH, DENVER uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 717
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
About the Raiders: QB suffered a broken fibula in Sunday’s 33-25 win against the Indianapolis Colts and is out indefinitely. When Carr left in the fourth quarter, he had completed 20 of 30 passes for 228 yards, three touchdowns and a passer rating of 122.6. will start against Denver and during the postseason, WR
said of McGloin, “He’s a great quarterback. I really like him. I’m excited to see what he’s going to do and excited to see how he prepares. The biggest thing that sticks out about him is he’s a competitor.” Coach
said, “It obviously is a blow. Teams have to find a way to pick up and move on. We’ll rally around the next guy as best we can.” Raiders running backs rushed for 205 yards Sunday, led by rookie with 99 on 12 attempts.
About the Broncos: Denver’s postseason hopes ended in Kansas City on Sunday with a 33-10 loss to the Chiefs. The Broncos became the eighth Super Bowl winner in the last 20 years to fail to qualify for the playoffs the next season. They were 7-3 before a 30-27 overtime loss to the Chiefs on Nov. 27. In the next four games, three of them losses, the offense scored a total of 36 points and converted 10 of 51 third-down opportunities. In Sunday’s loss, they totaled 246 yards and were successful on four of 15 third downs. QB completed 17 of 43 passes for 183 yards and had a passer rating of 43.1. The running game was non-existent as (five carries, 27 yards), (3-19) and (5-11) totaled 57 yards on 13 attempts. In their three-game losing streak, Denver running backs have 38 attempts for 129 yards.
Matchup to watch: Raiders LG Kelechi Osemele, C Rodney Hudson and RG Gabe Jackson vs. Broncos ILBs Todd Davis and Corey Nelson. Denver isn’t the same without injured ILB Brandon Marshall (hamstring), so if he is out again, look for the Raiders to try to dominate in the running game.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
A walk-on at Penn State in 2009 and a Raiders undrafted free agent in 2013, McGloin started six games as a rookie but has 55 pass attempts since Carr was drafted in 2014. “I’m ready to go. I know this team, these guys around me, this staff and this organization will do a great job of helping me out, embracing me and making sure we keep moving in the right direction,” he said.
The league-best turnover ratio for the Raiders after they were +3 Saturday against Indianapolis. They have 29 takeaways and 11 turnovers.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Denver’s motivation: There were reports of locker-room friction between the offense and defense after a Week 15 loss to the New England Patriots, but both units failed to produce against Kansas City. In addition, the Broncos won’t want to help the Chiefs after they were victimized by a touchdown pass from Kansas City NT to TE Demetrius Harris.
2. Oakland’s motivation: The Raiders need a victory to win the division and get an off week before their first playoff game. They also want to show they can be dangerous with McGloin at quarterback.
Oakland’s offensive line looks to take it to Denver with a ground game averaging 124.3 yards a game. If Washington rushes for 76 yards and for 12, Oakland will have three 500-yard rushers, including (777).
Howard Balzer