The AFC West division is already decided, with the Denver Broncos locking it up last weekend. The Broncos don’t get much time to enjoy that win though, as they will have a short week when they take on the Oakland Raiders on Thursday Night Football.
We all know that the Raiders haven’t put up much of a fight this season in the division at 3-9, but they can definitely hinder Denver’s ability to challenge for a first-round bye in the postseason. The Broncos seems to be clicking on both sides of the ball though, and look like they will be a real threat to win the AFC.
But good teams win the games that they are supposed to win, which Denver has done this season. That will be tested once again, as they are double-digit favorites in this one, on the road!
Peyton Manning is really having himself a good season, already having set the all-time mark for single season touchdown passes with 29, surpassing John Elway’s 28. Manning is on pace to throw for well over 4,000 yards as well.
Oakland ranks 25th in the league against the pass this season, but is even worse against the run, ranking 28th. This could set up plenty of chances for Manning to utilize play action in the passing game to go up over the top to Demaryius Thomas, who is really developing a solid connection with the new quarterback in town. Thomas is a huge playmaker on the outside, and will warrant plenty of attention from this Raiders secondary.
For Oakland, they are riding a five-game losing streak, and with their playoff hopes dashed, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out for them.
After the game against the Broncos, it’s a manageable schedule the rest of the way, with Kansas City up next, followed by Carolina, and the regular season finale against San Diego.
Denver plays in a critical AFC game against Baltimore next week, but then ends with two last-place teams in Cleveland and Kansas City.