Looks like the postseason is just a pipe dream for the Oakland Raiders in 2015, and a loss Sunday means it’s time to start looking ahead to 2016. For the Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning is out and Brock Osweiler is probable. Does that mean it’s Trevor Siemian time?
The Raiders are playing this weekend to show many strides they’ve actually taken this season. The Broncos are gearing up to get healthy for one last hurrah for Peyton; possibly.
Oakland Raiders vs Denver Broncos means you get the No. 1 defense in the NFL, featuring linebacker Von Miller and cornerback Aqib Talib, versus an explosive offense featuring budding young stars Derek Carr and Amari Cooper.
TV: 4:00 PM, ET start:
CBS Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts/Evan Washburn
SPREAD: Oakland Raiders +7
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Broncos Preview:
As Homer Simpson famously groaned “ohh, the Denver Broncos!?”
Osweiler has not been named the starter for the rest of the season, according to reports. This contradicts the other reports, from two days ago, saying that a healthy Peyton Manning would not replace Osweiler in the starting lineup.
Ah, the NFL where all depth charts and injury news are essentially meaningless, no matter how the media spin it. You already know the answer here. It’s Manning’s team in the end and he’s going for one last ride this postseason. Yes, this will be a fun, spirited clash between two AFC West rivals, but the Broncos already have one eye on the second season, and the only season that matters for Manning and company.
Oakland Raiders Preview:
That loss to the Minnesota Vikings, which was closer than the final score makes it sound, sent the season southward. It was a marquee game because the Vikes and the Raiders are the two teams who improved themselves the most on NFL Draft night and two teams that were expected to take the biggest steps forward this year.
At midseason, it looked like Oakland had developed into a postseason team and a truly well above average group. Now, it seems like they’ve only progressed to the point of mediocrity- still a big step forward from the past couple of years. In summer, you would find that acceptable.
Going from 2014 laughing stock to 2015 decent to 2016 division contender? That still seems very probable to me and it looks like the Oakland Raiders are 2/3 of the the way there. Even despite the recent losses.
PREDICTION: Denver Broncos 23, Oakland Raiders 14
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous television and radio talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
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