Denver Broncos

Broncos at Raiders: Highlights, score and recap

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

In a huge AFC West matchup, the Denver Broncos will head to Oakland to take on the Raiders with first place on the line.

In what is certain to be an incredible showdown, the 6-2 Denver Broncos will take on the 6-2 Oakland Raiders for supremacy in the AFC West. Oakland is out to their best start since 2002, when they represented the AFC in the Super Bowl against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Denver is the returning Super Bowl Champion, and has done a nice job defending their title through the midway point of the season.

The reason for the Broncos strong start to the season has been the play of their defense, which is once again one of the best in football. Denver brought back Von Miller for a ton of money, and Aqib Talib has led a secondary that has been suffocating this season. Talib will be out this week, his second game in a row, so expect Derek Carr and company to take to the air on Sunday night.

Carr is coming off a the best game of his young career, as he shredded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. The third-year starter threw for 513 yards against the Bucs, tossing four touchdowns against zero interceptions. His final throw was a fourth-down touchdown to Seth Roberts, as the Raiders won the game in overtime. Roberts may have to play a bigger role this week, as Amari Cooper is questionable to play in the game.

Both teams appear headed to the playoffs, though navigating the AFC West is going to be tough. Kansas City is right on their heels at 5-2, and they have already beaten Oakland this season. Sunday night will be huge in deciding who stays in the driver’s seat going forward, and both teams will be ready to go.

Highlights

Highlights will be posted throughout the game.

Three Stars Prediction

1. Michael Crabtree

Expect a big game from Crabtree on Sunday, as the Raiders will look to attack a depleted Denver secondary. If Cooper can go, he will likely draw the No. 1 assignment from the Broncos. The team will be going into the game with only three cornerbacks, as in addition to Talib, Kayvon Webster is also likely to be out.

2. Demaryius Thomas

Thomas and Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian have developed a nice repoire this season, as the star wideout has served as a security blanket for Siemian. The Raiders secondary is extremely suspect, and the Broncos will likely take a bunch of shots downfield. Expect Thomas to go for a few long gainers, as Denver looks to spread out the Raiders defense.

3. Derek Carr

Carr has developed into one of those quarterbacks who is going to get his numbers, and if the Raiders highly paid offensive line can give him some protection, he should have a solid game on Sunday. Denver had to promote a defensive back from their practice squad this week, and the Raiders are just too talented on offense for them to not move the ball consistently. Carr could be in for another 300 yard game on Sunday night.

Odds

The Raiders are actually favorites at home this week, although it is by a small spread. After being EVEN most of the week, the Raiders were upgraded to a one-point favorite, likely due to Talib’s injury. The over/under is set at 43.5, although these two teams may easily pass that number.

Next Week

The Denver Broncos will stay on the road next week, as they travel to the Bayou to take on the New Orleans Saints. Oakland will be off, before taking on the Houston Texans in Mexico on Monday Night Football.