A tired man gets off of work from his mundane job and starts the trudge home. A bumper-to-bumper journey on the interstate, listening to sports talk radio with interjections of classic rock. He gets to his home, flinging open the white picket fence, opens the front door and begins the transformation.
All weekend long, this man, this fan, has waited for this moment: GAME DAY.
He starts his NFL game day tradition by trading his short-sleeve button-up shirt, for a black and silver Jersey, sporting the number 81 on the back. He slathers war-paint on his face, and reaches for his homemade body armor, which features shoulder-pads, with intimidating hot-glued foam spikes. He looks in the mirror, and with an Autumn yell he is transformed!
HE IS RAIDER MATTY!
As Raider Matty gets back into his heather gray Honda, fully loaded with cloth interior and Raider stickers, he remembers a day when a Raider vs. Bronco Sunday night matchup meant the world to Raider fans. He remembers when his Raiders were relevant — in fact, favored — but that has been a while. For Raider Matty, Raider Dustin, Raider Dave and Raider (insert name here), THIS is their chance. This is RAIDER WEEK, and here are some things to watch out for.
Derek Carr vs. Broncos’ “No Fly Zone”
The Broncos defense, tried and true Orange and Blue, don’t give up much through the air. In fact, the Broncos defense ranks first in the NFL vs. the pass, giving up only 183.9 yards per game through the air. Derek Carr has had an amazing season statistically, with 17 touchdowns and only three interceptions, but he has yet to face a top-five passing defense. Derek Carr is being touted as a possible MVP candidate, and with a rating of 100.9 and over 2,300 yards passing, he should be in consideration. We will see how many votes he gets after he faces the Wade Phillips defensive wall of destruction.
Sebastian Janikowski vs. luck of the Broncos
A Kicker? Yes, I am talking about a kicker, but not just any kicker, the Polish Cannon. Sebastian Janikowski, or SEA BASS as fantasy owners yell as they draft him in the final round, is one of the better things Oakland has had in the last 16 years. Taken number 17 overall in the 2000 draft, Sebastian Janikowski is a beast, but not always against the Broncos.
October 11th 2015 this husky hammer of a kicker handed the Broncos a victory by having one field goal blocked. Then, he flat out shanked another wide left. These errors were on a day where they honored him for having the most games played as a Raider (241 at the time).
If Seabass misses a game winner against Denver, Broncos fans will certainly act like we have been there before, because, well, we have been there before.
Khalil Mack vs. Michael Schofield
NO WAIT! It’s Khalil Mack versus Donald Stephenson. That’s right, Khalil Mack’s ticket to Honolulu is now at a different position.
Last December 13th, Khalil Mack had his way with Michael Schofield and got to Brock Osweiler FIVE TIMES. Yes, it was a long day for Mr. Schofield, who, at times, looked like he needed a hug and one of those motivational cat posters that says “hang in there.” Well, now Schofield is at right guard, and Donald Stephenson has the job of blocking Khalil Mack.
There isn’t really any favorable matchups when facing Khalil Mack. The former fifth pick of the 2014 draft wreaks havoc on just about anyone who faces him, but maybe, just maybe, Donald Stephenson won’t give up FIVE sacks to the former first rounder.
Broncos Problems vs. Raiders Problems
The Broncos have a problem covering running backs and tight-ends. The Raiders have a problem throwing to tight ends and running-backs. This is great for Denver, who has a way of making second string running-backs look like Marshall Faulk. The Raiders rely heavily on their wide receivers for almost all of their yards through the air, and with Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree who can blame them? Thus far Raider running-back Latavius Murray has only 90 yards receiving and zero touchdowns through the air. The Raiders Clive Walford ranks 28th in the NFL amongst tight-ends for yards with only 182. The Broncos problem of covering these guys, won’t be a problem on Sunday night.
All in all, I have a suggestion to all those Raider fans out there putting on silver face paint and sporting foam horns on flimsy plastic costumes: all you need in Broncos Country is a pair of boots, and a barrel.
Go Broncos!