Searching For Answers

By: Mike Rifkin

One of the best rivalries in Football if rekindled on Sunday as the Denver Broncos travel to Vegas to play the Raiders. Both teams are still searching for consistency after making big offseason moves.

The Broncos somehow are 2-1 and coming off a 11-10 win over the 49ers on Sunday night. The Broncos offense has been struggling to start the season. Quarterback Russell Wilson has a 59.4 completion percentage, 743 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Wilson has been sacked nine times through three games. The Broncos are averaging 14.3 points per game. The new Quarterback and Coach combination of Wilson and Nathaniel Hackett has yet to work. The Broncos are 1-7 in the Red Zone which is last in the NFL. The Broncos defense has been tremendous so far giving up 12.0 points per game. They have nine sacks through three games. 

The Raiders are 0-3 on the season and have lost each game by one possession. Things are bad in Vegas that after Sunday’s loss to the Titans, first year Coach Josh Mcdaniels had a closed door meeting with owner Mark Davis. The big addition they made offensively Davante Adams who played with Quarterback Derek Carr at Fresno State has 17 receptions for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Carr at times has looked good and other times he hasn’t but has a 60.8 completion percentage, 850 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. Carr has been sacked seven times already this year. The Raider defense has struggled to say the least. They give up 25.7 points per game. They have two sacks and two turnovers so far this season. They brought in Chandler Jones to help the pass rush and that hasn’t panned out yet, their corners aren’t great. This season so far looks like a gamble that hasn’t paid off.

Two teams still searching for answers go at it on Sunday to renew a great rivalry. Maybe a win can springboard one of them into contention in the AFC West.