Tonight at 8:30 p.m. the Denver Broncos (2-0) will host their AFC West rivals the Oakland Raiders (1-1) in a Monday Night Football matchup on ESPN. Live stream the game here for free; Raiders fans can listen to the game on 95.7 The Game, while Broncos fans can hear the action on 850 KOA.
Denver enters tonight's tilt as 15-point favorites, but Oakland quarterback Terrelle Pryor's athleticism may keep this matchup interesting. His brand of football is the kind that can neutralize a pass rush, and keep Peyton Manning's prolific right arm on the sidelines.
Pryor is averaging 7.4 yards per carry through the first two games of the season, totaling 162 yards on the ground on 22 rushes. Passing the football, he hasn't been the utter disaster many predicted either. Pryor has connected on 64.2 percent of his pass attempts, averaging 171.5 yards through the air per game.
As important as controlling the clock will be for Oakland, sacking Manning and forcing turnovers will be of equal significance for the Raiders defense.
Defensive leader Charles Woodson said, "We have to get the ball. Not to have any fumbles, not to have any interceptions has been tough. That's something we've got to start doing. That's especially true against a guy like Peyton Manning."
Attacking Manning may be easier tonight after Denver lost left tackle Ryan Clady to a season-ending Lisfranc injury. "Having a guy like that in the locker room, on the field, in meeting rooms. It's a devastation," Usama Young, a young lineman who will help try and replace Clady, said. "As a group, you have to put your best foot forward to go ahead and get the next guy up."
Center Manny Ramirez, who is replacing two centers injured before he took over, said getting Manning comfortable will be objective No. 1.
"You want your quarterback to feel comfortable when he's back there, knowing that the person that's responsible for that is going to make the right calls and the right adjustments when the time comes."
Raiders Injury Report:
Questionable: Lucas Nix (G)
Out: Tyvon Branch (S), David Ausberry (TE), Menelik Watson (T)
Broncos Injury Report:
Probable: Wes Welker (WR), Omar Bolden (S), Duke Ihenacho (S), Aaron Brewer (LS), Jacob Tamme (TE), C.J. Anderson (RB), Eric Decker (WR), Chris Kuper (G).
Questionable: Joel Dreesen (TE), Shaun Phillips (LB), Champ Bailey (CB)
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