Preview and Prediction: Oakland Raiders vs. Denver Broncos
By Austin Gayle
David Amerson and a Healthy Sean Smith to Dictate Defensive Success
The Raiders’ secondary faced adversity early in the season, as elite quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Phillip Rivers pushed their backs against the wall.
Led by outside corners David Amerson and Sean Smith, Oakland’s secondary has pushed off the wall.
In back-to-back weeks, Oakland’s defense has held opposing quarterbacks to low stat lines, as Buccaneers quarterback threw for just 180 passing yards and Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles coughed up two interceptions before adding to low passing yards total in garbage time.
Taking on another sub-par quarterback in Siemian, Amerson and Smith (if he plays) must continue to excel on the outside, as Siemian will look to get the ball out of his hands early to his star receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.
Sanders and Thomas have combined for 86 receptions for 1,102 yards and 7 touchdowns through eight games.
Because of their ability to extend the field and haul in touch catches on critical downs, Sanders and Thomas can break this game open in as little as one play.
In an effort to prevent that play from occurring, Amerson and Smith can’t allow either of the two receivers to create early separation in their routes, for the longer Siemian is holding the ball, the easier it will be for the Raiders’ defense to force him into making a poor decision.