Raiders at Broncos
There is plenty at stake in the regular-season finale for the Oakland Raiders, who must regroup from losing star quarterback Derek Carr as they prepare to visit the reigning Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos on Sunday. The Raiders will be turning to undrafted free agent Matt McGloin, who will be making his first start since his rookie season in 2013.
“It is a difficult situation,” McGloin said of the broken leg suffered by Carr in last week's win over Indianapolis. “He has been having such an incredible season and to see him go down like that was tough. At the same time, I’ve got to try my best to stay calm, stay poised, stay focused and do my job.” Oakland already has secured a playoff berth -- its first since 2002 -- but can clinch the AFC West title and a first-round bye with a victory and also has a chance at the No. 1 overall seed in conference. The Raiders also can drop to the fifth seed, which would translate into a first-round postseason matchup at Houston. Denver, which lost at Oakland 30-20 in Week 9, was eliminated from playoff contention last week and will give playing time to rookie quarterback Paxton Lynch, although Trevor Siemian is expected to start.
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -1.5. O/U: 40.5
ABOUT THE RAIDERS (12-3): With McGloin under center, Oakland likely will try to emulate its game plan from last month's victory over Broncos, when Latavius Murray rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns to lead a ground game that churned out 218 yards. Murray managed only 40 yards on 15 carries in last week's win over the Colts and was replaced in the second half by rookie DeAndre Washington, who scampered for 99 yards and a pair of 22-yard touchdown runs on 12 carries. McGloin also has key weapons on the outside in wide receivers Amari Cooper (84 catches, 1,114 yards, 4 TDs) and Michael Crabtree (84, 957, 8 TDs). Defensive end Khalil Mack had two of his 11 sacks against Denver in November.
ABOUT THE BRONCOS (8-5): Siemian has struggled the past two weeks, getting the offense in the end zone only once, which is a reason why Kubiak is giving him the start before Lynch comes on in relief. "I want him to get the Kansas City taste out of his mouth. It was a tough outing," Kubiak said of Siemian's performance in last week's 33-10 loss to the Chiefs. "But also Paxton is going to play. I'm going to prepare them both." Lynch, the No. 26 overall pick out of Memphis, has made three appearances (two starts) this season, completing 49 of 83 for 487 yards with a pair of touchdowns and one interception. Denver will be without linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Broncos LB Von Miller had a sack in the first meeting and is second in the league with 13.5.
1. McGloin had eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions while going 1-5 at a starter in 2013.
3. Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas needs four catches to become the third player in history with at least 90 receptions in five straight seasons.