Keys to Victory: Broncos vs Raiders Week 7
by terrancespitz | 4 years ago | 0 Comments
Keys To Victory: Week 7
Broncos (4-1) vs Raiders (4-2). Las Vegas, NV
Nothing warms my heart more than the ire and vitriol of two heated rivals heading into war. To sweeten the pot, the two teams exuding this proverbial hate, are both sitting comfortably in playoff contention in the AFC race. Just two weeks removed from their previous matchup in Denver, the Raiders fell to defeat behind a stellar performance from the Broncos' defense, who allowed just 6 points, while generating 6 turnovers. Denver cruised to victory 22-6, and the sentiments around the league were that the Raiders, led by rookie sensation Andrew Gleason (QB), were still a year behind schedule. The Raiders answered the critics last week with a huge 30-28 victory over the then undefeated Chiefs, behind a 315 yard performance by Gleason, who, more importantly, finished with zero turnovers.
It's no secret—Coach and GM—Cory Astin is the superlative of success and dominance, leading his teams to a bevy of titles, building dynastic teams, and exuding the embodiment of a winning culture. Claiming victory over an illustrious coach is a great barometer of direction and growth—and for this young Raiders' team, they'll have their hands full this Sunday. So without further adieu, here are my "Keys To Victory" for Week 7's rivalry matchup between the Broncos and Raiders.
Keys for the Raiders: Win the turnover battle
Though this is a cliché—and every coaches Modus Operandi—winning the turnover battle just isn't about protecting the ball; its about getting the ball back! The Raiders have an explosive offense, and one that doesn't torn the ball over. However, through 6 games, the Raiders have just 14 takeaways, putting them at 18th in the league. Beating the Broncos is a great feat in itself, but giving them extra possessions is almost a death wish. A key to the Raiders finding success over the Chiefs was winning the turnover battle (+3). Getting extra possessions for their high-powered offense is a key proponent to their overall success. If they're able to stymie the Broncos and generate takeaways, they'll have a great shot and claiming victory.
Key for the Broncos: Run the Ball... and Run the Ball!
The Broncos are an explosive offense, predicated on the passing game, led by Drew Lock. The Broncos use their short passing game as an extension of their run, but the lack of consistency on the ground may hamper the Broncos, especially in tough divisional matchups. The key to victory for Denver is to run the ball, with impunity! The mantra at practice for Coach Astin and company should be 30+ rushing attempts. The way you neutralize a high-powered offense, such as the Raiders, is by ball control and clock-management. [But] diving deeper into the numbers, the Raiders allow 108.3 rushing yards per game, which puts them near the bottom of the league (24th). The Broncos can find success by sticking to the run game, in conjuction with the metrics, going against a bottom-tier rushing defense.
Predictions: Raiders win in a close game, 24-21.
The Raiders are coming off of a great game against a strong Chiefs' team. The were able to protect the ball against the number 2 team in takeaways, which in return will help the Raiders correct the mistake they made in their first matchup against the Broncos. I don't believe the Broncos will stick to ground attack, allowing the Raiders to capitalize on takeaway opportunities to elevate them to victory.
Buckle up folks! This is going to be a bloodbath in an intense rivalry game. And the Raiders are earning my Keys to Victory!!