Oakland Raiders vs. AFC West: Linebackers
By Kevin Saito
Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) pass rushes at Oakland Raiders tight end Mychal Rivera (81) in the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
2. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are perhaps the 1B to Kansas City’s 1A. Looking at them both on paper, the teams are near carbon copies of one another. On the inside, Danny Trevathan, who was limited to just three games last season due to injury, is back and ready to go. Brandon Marshall, who missed a couple of games at the end of the season for an injury that required surgery, is also.
On the outside, Denver trots out DeMarcus Ware, who despite being 32 years old and entering his eleventh season now, continues to play at a very high level and is still a nightmare for opposing offenses – as his ten sacks in 2014 can attest to.
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On the other side is Von Miller, who is an absolute beast. Despite apparently having a very noxious gas problem – bad enough that the Broncos had to institute a fine system – is a monster on the field. With 66 tackles and 14 sacks last season, Miller proved that he can do it all – as he’s done his entire career to this point.
Add in depth players like Shane Ray, whom the Broncos drafted this year, and Denver has not just one of the best linebacker corps in the AFC West, but they have one of the best in all of football. There is no question that Denver’s linebackers are going to be a very tough unit.
Next: Kansas City Chiefs