Oakland Raiders Behind Enemy Lines: Q&A with Predominantly Orange

The Oakland Raiders kick off their 2019 schedule against a division rival on Monday night, and here is our Q&A with the editor at Predominantly Orange.

The Oakland Raiders will face a familiar foe at home in Week 1, as they welcome in the Denver Broncos on Monday night football. Last season, the Raiders had their best home win of the season against the Broncos, as a Dwayne Harris 99-yard punt return helped them to a 27-14 victory in what was at the time, the final home game inside the Coliseum.

During the offseason, the Raiders announced they would return for a final season in Oakland, and here we are, hours away from kickoff. Both teams made wholesale changes to their roster this offseason, and like the Raiders last season, the Broncos come into the year with a brand new head coach.

In addition to a new head coach, the Broncos also will unveil their new quarterback, as they were able to secure Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens. The former Super Bowl winning quarterback is in to bring stability to the position for a Broncos franchise that has been looking for answers since Peyton Manning retired.

Earlier in the week, we sat down with Ty Walden, the editor of Predominantly Orange,  the home of Denver Broncos news on the FanSided network. Walden was nice enough to answer our questions, as both teams prepare to get out to a fast start in a very competitive AFC West division.

Here is our interview with Predominantly Orange site editor Ty Walden.

JustBlogBaby: With the preseason over, what was your biggest takeaway from the Broncos going into the new season?

Ty Walden: If we do not stay healthy, we are in trouble. No sugar coating it at all. Our starting team looks solid for the most part. The players behind them, minus a few, have not impressed me. I am also afraid of how our special teams is going to perform this year.

If we start losing games because of that unit, heads will roll. But overall, it was a decent preseason. I’m really looking forward to what happens for the 2019 regular season.

JBB: You have a new head coach, and quarterback in 2019. What are your expectations for head coach Vic Fangio and quarterback Joe Flacco?

Walden: I am hoping both guys can help the team at least surpass six wins this season. I am not thinking we will see playoffs with them in the first year, but there should be some improvement. A lot are saying Flacco is a downgrade from Case Keenum and that could not be any farther from the truth. We should see some big changes from a team led by Fangio.

JBB: What are your realistic expectations for the Broncos for the 2019 season?

Walden: I do not think they are going to the postseason, but I think it is fair to give them at least eight wins for the season. I am just happy to hopefully see some growth after the last two years being a nightmare with Vance Joseph at the helm.

Defense will certainly help win a few games. But the team likely will not see the playoffs, but I would not be surprised if they make things interesting this season.

JBB: The Raiders and Broncos face off on Monday night. What do you believe it will take to get a win?

Walden: Defense. I am sure the offense will spend the time trying to gel, so there will be some growing pains. But I think this defense has what it takes to fluster Derek Carr and keep it close.

JBB: Which young player do you expect to make the biggest jump in production in 2019?

Walden: Look out for Courtland Sutton in 2019. He had a strong rookie year and I believe he can make a bigger push towards a solid 2019 campaign. He has what it takes to be the next receiving threat on the field.

We at JustBlogBaby would like to thank Walden for sitting down and talking with us, and his insight on the Broncos is always appreciated. These two teams will battle it out later in the year as well, and we will reconnect with Walden to see where the Broncos are at that time.

Thanks again Ty!