Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos: Game Day Open Thread

The Oakland Raiders are in the Mile High City looking to get back on track and finish out the season strong.

More from Derek Carr

• Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr is garbage and everything is his fault
• Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr passes Rich Gannon on all-time passing list
• Oakland Raiders’ Young Core Must Lead Their Resurgence
• Oakland Raiders: Derek Carr Overhyped And Overrated?
• Oakland Raiders: Carr And Cooper Must Improve When It Matters Most

The Oakland Raiders gave it a good ride this season. They defied the expectations of many and did something they haven’t done in a long, long time – contended for a playoff spot late into the season.

Of course, last week’s beating at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs all but stuck a dagger in the heart of those playoff hopes. But the Raiders took some tremendous strides forward on the field this season. Despite his awful three pick performance against the Chiefs, Derek Carr took a big leap forward in his development and is proving that he is the long term solution at the quarterback position for Oakland.

The Raiders have some tremendous talent on their roster. Fans haven’t been able to say they have bona fide playmakers in a Raiders uniform with a straight face for quite some time. But Carr, Amari Cooper, Khalil Mack, Mario Edwards Jr., Justin Ellis, Travis Carrie and Gabe Jackson head up a roster that is brimming with solid, young talent.

Solid veteran free agent pick ups like Malcolm Smith, Dan Williams, David Amerson, and Donald Penn – and the steady veteran stalwart and seemingly immortal Charles Woodson are helping to shape this team and turn it from the team who’d posted losing records for more than a decade into a team that will know how to win – and come to expect it.

More from Golden Gate Sports

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve

Though they have but five wins on the season, they’ve already posted their best win total in the last four years, and still have a chance to do what no Raiders team has done since 2002 – post a winning record. They’ll of course, need to run the table to get to nine wins, but if they can dig deep, learn from their mistakes – and not repeat them – and play the type of football we’ve seen them play this season, anything is possible.

They start that road today against one of their most hated foes – the Denver Broncos. But this is a different Broncos team than Oakland has faced for a few years now. Peyton Manning won’t be under center, but Brock Osweiler will be. Taking over for an injured – and old – Manning, Osweiler has gone 3-0 as a starter, is completing 61 percent of his passes, and has thrown five touchdowns against three interceptions.

While Osweiler hasn’t been amazing under center, he’s been effective. And he’s managed the games well. The Raiders are going to need to put heavy pressure on him, take away the run game, and see if the kid can win a game for Denver.

Of course, that task is made easier by having one of the fiercest defenses in the league to fall back on. Denver’s defense has been nothing short of amazing this year. And in their first matchup against it, the Raiders fell flat and a late pick six thrown by Carr led to a terrible loss.

Next: Oakland Raiders: 30 Iconic Moments in Team History

Can the Raiders rebound after last week’s devastating loss and win against this Denver team who’s fighting for playoff position? Will they be able to match the intensity the Broncos are going to come out with? Will Oakland be able to snag a win and put a bit of a damper on Denver’s postseason fortunes? Will they – with little to play for – come out flat and uninspired? Or will HC Jack Del Rio have this team fired up to take it to the Broncos and help spoil their postseason party – if only a little bit?

What do you think? How is this game going to play out? This is your place to talk about the game and all things Raiders. So step on up and make yourself heard. What do you think about all of the goings on with the Raiders? Time to sound off!