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| The Raiders need to stop Broncos QB Peyton Manning better than they did last time. (US Presswire) |
Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, Calif. (turf, outdoors)
When: Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Spread: Broncos by 10.
Forecast: Partly cloudy with temperatures in the 50s at kickoff.
Records: Raiders (Overall: 3-9, AFC West: 1-2); Broncos (Overall: 9-3, AFC West: 4-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 30, 2012: Broncos 37, Raiders 6; Nov. 6, 2011: Broncos 38, Raiders 24. Series record: Raiders lead the regular-season series 59-43-2. The postseason series is tied 1-1.
What matters: This is prime time matchup between two teams going in opposite directions. The 9-3 Broncos have won seven straight games, and they clinched the AFC West crown last week with a win over Tampa Bay. The 3-9 Raiders have lost five straight and were eliminated from playoff contention last week with a loss to Cleveland. The Broncos are still fighting for a first-round playoff bye, but it's easy to see them having a letdown and overlooking the Raiders, a team they crushed 37-6 in Week 4. The question is whether the Raiders, who haven't won since beating Kansas City on Oct. 28, will have enough energy and motivation to make this a game. They'll be playing for pride and for coach Dennis Allen, whose father, former Falcons linebacker Grady, died Monday night in the Dallas area after suffering a heart attack last week. Allen was in Texas on Monday and Tuesday but directed practice Wednesday and will be on the sidelines Thursday night.
Who matters: The Raiders will need to do a better job against Broncos QB Peyton Manning than they did in the first meeting to have any chance in the rematch. Manning completed 30 of 39 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Raiders middle linebacker Omar Gaither will make his second start in place of the suspended Rolando McClain. No doubt Manning will try to take advantage of Gaither, who is still learning Oakland's defensive system. The Raiders expect to have starting running back Darren McFadden and backup Mike Goodson available for the first time since Nov. 4 against Tampa Bay when they suffered high ankle sprains. Both were full participants in practice Wednesday and were listed as probable. They could provide a spark to an offense that has scored an average of just 16 points in the past four games. The Raiders will need to run the ball to slow down the Broncos' pass rushers, particularly linebacker Von Miller (15 sacks) and defensive end Elvis Dumervil (8 sacks).
Key matchups: Raiders RT Khalif Barnes vs. Broncos SLB Von Miller: Barnes will have his hands full against the speedy Miller, who moves to defensive end in the nickel. Miller is two sacks shy of tying Dumervil's single-season team record of 17 sacks, set in 2009. Barnes is battling a triceps injury and was limited in practice Tuesday and Wednesday. ... Raiders LC Michael Huff vs. Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas: Thomas, a third-year pro from Georgia Tech, has taken his game to a new level this season. He has caught 69 passes for 1,114 yards -- tied for fourth in the NFL -- and eight touchdowns. At 6-foot-3 and 229-pounds, Thomas has a decided size advantage over the 6-0, 211-pound Huff, a free safety forced to play cornerback because of injuries.
Injuries of note: Raiders starting defensive tackle Richard Seymour will miss his fifth straight game with lingering hamstring and knee injuries. Punt returner/cornerback Phillip Adams is questionable after suffering a concussion against Cleveland. He missed practice Tuesday and was limited Wednesday.
Inside stuff: The Raiders prepared a package of plays for No. 3 quarterback Terrelle Pryor last week when he suited up for the first time this season, but he never got off the bench against Cleveland. Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said he never had the right situation to use Pryor. Knapp, though, expects Pryor to suit up again Thursday night and hopes to get him into the game.
Connections: Allen, who was Denver's defensive coordinator last season, will face his former team for the second time. ... Broncos coach John Fox was Oakland's defensive coordinator from 1994-95. ... Raiders starting guard Cooper Carlisle played from 2000-06 for the Broncos, who drafted him in the fourth round. ... Broncos linebackers coach Richard Smith is the father of Raiders defensive assistant Travis Smith.
Record watch: Raiders QB Carson Palmer had his seventh 300-yard passing game of the season last week, three behind Rich Gannon's franchise single-season record of 10, set in 2002. Palmer is on pace to pass for 4,709 yards and break Gannon's single-season record of 4,689, set in 2002. He's also on pace to throw a team-record 671 passes. Gannon set the record with 618 attempts in '02.
Stats you should know: Starting wide receiver Denarius Moore has caught only four passes for 60 yards and one touchdown over his past three games. He was benched late in the game against Cleveland because of multiple drops.
Looking ahead: After Thursday night's game, the Raiders will have extra time to rest and prepare for their home-finale against Kansas City on Dec. 16. They finish the season with back-to-back road games against Carolina and San Diego.
Prediction: Broncos 31, Raiders 17
Follow Raiders reporter Eric Gilmore on Twitter @CBSRaiders.
