The Raiders will play a must-win game in Week 4 as they host the Denver Broncos. After starting the season off at 0-3, the Raiders can’t afford to drop to 0-4 if they want any hope of making the playoffs this year.
To prepare you for this matchup, we went behind enemy lines with Jon Heath of Broncos Wire to discuss the Denver Broncos ahead of Week 4.
RW: Why is Russell Wilson struggling to get going in Denver’s offense?
BW: I think he’s taking some time to adjust to a new scheme and I think Nathaniel Hackett did a poor job getting plays in quickly through the first two games (they have since hired a new assistant to help that go more smoothly).
When the game was on the line in Week 3, Wilson took matters into his own hands and looked like his old self, scrambling around to make plays. Maybe that’s what he needs to get back to, playing more freely and not being so worried about playing within the system.
Not all of the team’s offensive woes fall on Wilson — there have been multiple dropped passes, some very questionable play-calling and a couple of fumbles from his running backs in the red zone. But he’s certainly off to a slow start.
RW: How has Randy Gregory looked in his first year with the Broncos?
BW: He’s been excellent so far, and it’s not just his own production that’s stood out. Gregory’s mere presence has opened things up for fellow OLB Bradley Chubb and even DL Dre’Mont Jones. Gregory has five quarterback hits, two sacks and two forced fumbles through three games.
Gregory has been exactly what the Broncos hoped he would be when they signed him in March, and he’s taken the team’s pass rush rotation to the next level.
RW: Do you still view the Broncos as a legit contender in the AFC?
BW: It’s probably a little too early to tell. Their defense looks fantastic, but they haven’t faced a top offense yet. Their own offense has been very underwhelming, but the pieces are in place for the unit to turn things around as they begin to gel more as the season goes on.
They’re in contention in the AFC West at this very moment, but that can obviously change quickly. The Broncos will go as far as Wilson can take them.
If his game picks up and the offense gets going, I think Denver can compete in the conference. But it remains to be seen if the offense will be able to work out the kinks.
RW: Who is one under-the-radar player to keep an eye on during this matchup?
BW: Dre’Mont Jones doesn’t seem to be very well-known outside of Denver, but he has emerged as the team’s best defensive lineman. He’s totaled nine tackles, two sacks, two QB hits and one forced fumble through three weeks. He’s also been solid against the run. Keep an eye on No. 93 on the Broncos defensive line.
RW: Who wins and why?
BW: The Raiders are winless, but that makes them even more desperate, and they’re playing at home against a well-known division rival. Josh McDaniels doesn’t need any extra motivation, but he will be facing his old team as well.
It’s tough to predict Las Vegas dropping to 0-4, but the Broncos’ defense has kept the team in every game so far this year and the unit should be able to do the same in Week 4.
Broncos 23, Raiders 16.