Oakland Raiders Bully Denver Broncos For AFC West Lead

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Nov 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts after the Raiders rushed for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Bottom Line

The Raiders are not only alone in first place in the AFC West but they are now a contender. Those that push the Broncos will make the excuse for the players that didn’t play. But the Raiders were without Sean Smith, Aldon Smith, Mario Edwards Jr. and Stacey McGee.

That’s four defensive starters and they still beat up on the Broncos. What you saw Sunday night wasn’t even as good as this defense is going to be in the future. Mack is just starting to get rolling and will roll harder with his four starters back.

On offense, they showed the Broncos they can play smash-mouth football. So Talib, Miller and their pass defenders won’t make much difference when the Raiders run the ball. The Raiders have out-physicaled some of the most physical teams in the NFL like the Baltimore Ravens.

So it’s no surprise that they out-physicaled the Broncos, who aren’t what they were last year. The Raiders will likely come back from the bye next week with both Smiths and McGee. Edwards has a chance to come back then or soon thereafter.

The Raiders will be a very tough out then!

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