Donald Penn vs. Shane Ray
Oakland could be in for a rough day on the right side of the field offensively. Both right guard Gabe Jackson and right tackle Marshall Newhouse have been banged up for most of the season. They will have to contain an All-Pro level passer rusher in Von Miller all Sunday afternoon. Good luck with that.
As for the left side of the Raiders’ offense, the Silver and Black should be in good shape. This is because left tackle Donald Penn has been solid for most of the season. He also has a favorable matchup on Sunday afternoon versus Denver’s struggling pass rusher Shane Ray.
Denver drafted Ray out of Missouri a few years back with the hopes that he could eventually replace DeMarcus Ware opposite of Miller. In his first year in a starting role for the Broncos, that has not been the case. Denver’s once ferocious pass rush has taken a step back because of Ware’s retirement from football.
If Penn plays up to his abilities, the Raiders could hum offensively. Marshawn Lynch and the running back stable could pick up some yardage running off tackle to the left side. By being able to contain Ray, Penn could give quarterback Derek Carr plenty of time to air it out and take down the Broncos’ No Fly Zone defense.