Las Vegas @ Denver preview
Empower Field at Mile High
Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2017 ) Denver 14, Oakland 21
Von Miller wreaked havoc in the Denver Broncos' season-opening victory and has a good chance to do it again when his team hosts the AFC West-rival Oakland Raiders on Sunday. Miller registered three sacks and forced two fumbles, recovering one himself, as the Broncos posted a 27-24 triumph over Seattle last weekend.
Miller's efforts helped make Case Keenum's debut with Denver a successful one as the journeyman completed 25-of-39 passes for 329 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions after signing a two-year, $36 million contract in March. Miller could have an even bigger day against Oakland, which started well but faded miserably in its season-opening 33-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Raiders scored a touchdown on the first possession of the game and held a 13-10 lead at halftime but allowed 23 points while being blanked in the second half. Derek Carr threw for 303 yards but was intercepted three times and failed to record a TD pass as the Raiders sent their fans home disappointed in coach Jon Gruden's return to the sideline after a nine-year hiatus.
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -6. O/U: 45.5
ABOUT THE RAIDERS (0-1): Oakland added a new, yet familiar, face this week, re-signing wide receiver Martavis Bryant on Wednesday after releasing him nine days earlier. "I think he's in a good place right now," Gruden told reporters of Bryant, who was acquired from Pittsburgh in April but had a disappointing training camp. "I think he's healthy. I think he's ready to go. I'm sold on that." While top receivers Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson combined for 32 yards on four receptions last week, Jared Cook had a huge game, making nine catches for a career-high 180 yards to become the seventh tight end in NFL history to record those numbers in a single contest.
ABOUT THE BRONCOS (1-0): Denver received solid contributions from a pair of rookie running backs in its season opener as Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman each gained 71 yards on 15 carries, with the former also catching a touchdown pass. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas also had a TD reception against Seattle and looks to make it six consecutive home games with a scoring catch on Sunday. Emmanuel Sanders aims for another big day against the Raiders after hauling in 10 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown in the season opener.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Miller leads the NFL with 86 1/2 sacks since entering the league in 2011.
2. Oakland DE Bruce Irvin has forced 11 fumbles since 2016 - the most in the league in that span.
3. Keenum threw only seven interceptions in 15 games with Minnesota last season.
PREDICTION: Broncos 41, Raiders 17