Five Key Matchups: vs. Raiders
From ILB Brandon Marshall battling with RB Latavius Murray to WR Emmanuel Sanders gainst CB T.J. Carrie, these are five of the top matchups between the Broncos and Raiders.
Von Miller seems to always have something up his sleeve for Derek Carr. Last time, Miller arrived at Carr untouched and he stripped the ball out of his hand right into Miller's grasp. The pass-rushing dynamo is also coming off a two-sack game that also included a similar forced-fumble-and-fumble-recovery combo. Carr will need to know where Miller is at all times, and his line will have to be prepared for him.
Mack is a Swiss Army knife for Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio and Oakland's defense. He's listed as a defensive end, but Mack is just as likely to rush the passer from a two-point stance as he is to do it with his hand in the dirt. He's both a dangerous pass rusher and run-stopping threat, and someone Osweiler will have to be aware of at all times.
Murray has quietly rushed for the fourth-most yards of any running back in the NFL in 2015, and he's accounted for five touchdowns on the ground. His ability to give the Raiders a balanced offense has made Oakland's passing attack more dangerous. Marshall, the Broncos' leading tackler, will be without his usual inside linebacker partner, Danny Trevathan. In Trevathan's stead, Marshall will move into his spot, leaving Marshall's normal "mike" linebacker position to reserve Todd Davis. Whether Marshall and Davis can keep Murray from reaching the second level for much of the day could dictate what the Raiders can do offensively.
Woodson has been nothing short of incredible for the Raiders, particularly at the ripe age of 39. He picked off two passes against the Broncos previously and helped enforce a low-scoring, grind-it-out game. Daniels has been picking up steam for the Broncos as a solid connection for QB Brock Osweiler, as well as Vernon Davis.
Sanders has gotten past injuries that kept him out against Chicago, and he could be poised for a great game against the Raiders. His explosiveness pairs perfectly with Demaryius Thomas, and Osweiler knows he can find Sanders fairly often when he gets one-on-one matchups.
