Oakland Raiders: 5 keys to victory over Denver Broncos in Week 12
By John Buhler
![OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 11: Von Miller No. 58 of the Denver Broncos sacks Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders int he third quarter at O.co Coliseum on October 11, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 11: Von Miller No. 58 of the Denver Broncos sacks Derek Carr No. 4 of the Oakland Raiders int he third quarter at O.co Coliseum on October 11, 2015 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F08-2F492300162-denver-broncos-v-oakland-raiders-jpg-850x560-a740f44b47d800ed6413884eb02140db6aa44513574e4ebb013ef3f1e1ac8159.jpg)
Marshawn Lynch needs to approach 100 yards on the ground.
The best thing the Raiders can do in this game is dominate time of possession. A great way to make that happen is feed Beast Mode Marshawn Lynch for hopefully his biggest game of the season for the Raiders.
Lynch has been a reliable runner for Oakland since coming back from his Week 8 suspension. He was a productive runner in both the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots’ games. Yes, it helps that the veteran running back has only played two games in five weeks, but he should be as fresh as he’ll ever be.
Oakland hasn’t been abysmal running the football this season, but it hasn’t been good enough to carry this team. Lynch has been easily the best runner for the Raiders this year. Both Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington have been lackluster at best as change of pace backs. If Lynch wants Oakland to play in a playoff game, he just needs to go Beast Mode in this game.
It could be in play where Lynch could rush for over 100 yards, or at least get very close to that benchmark. Either way, Lynch wearing out the Broncos’ front-seven while the Raiders possess the football is only a good thing for the Raiders’ quest for a Week 12 victory at home over rival Denver.