Raiders head back to Denver looking to run it up again
Being an AFC West fan of any team other than the Oakland Raiders, the scenario you want to avoid is sitting inside your own stadium with the silver-and-black celebrating victory.
When the Raiders pulled off a 6-0 sweep of their West rivals last season, it meant they shoved it in their foes’ faces on three occasions — none worse than in a 59-14 romp at Denver last October.
Threatening to pour salt in the wound and looking to end their 11-game losing streak on prime-time television, the Raiders are back at Invesco Field on Monday night to start Hue Jackson’s coaching tenure.
Jackson, the team’s former offensive coordinator, is out to improve upon the last season’s 8-8 showing with more offense — even if that seems impossible given what the team did in Denver last year.
Running back Darren McFadden ran for 165 yards and four touchdowns in the blowout that hurried the exit of Josh McDaniels as coach. (Former Carolina Panthers’ leader John Fox has taken over.) The Raiders compiled 502 offensive yards.
“It was just terrible,” Broncos middle linebacker Joe Mays told reporters this week. “It’s one of those things where you want to forget it, but it’s still in the back of your head.”
The record Oakland points output was the lowlight of Denver’s worst season, which at least netted a high draft pick the team used on defensive end Von Miller.
With Miller shining in preseason and Elvis Dumervil back to health after a 17-sack 2009, Miller says, “Hopefully, it will be different.”
In Monday’s afternoon game, the Miami Dolphins similarly are battling self-confidence issues at home after finishing 1-7 at Sun Life Stadium a year ago.
In walks MVP Tom Brady (36 touchdowns, four interceptions in 2010), directing a New England team that was plus-28 in turnovers last season. Miami quarterback Chad Henne threw 19 interceptions.
The Patriots also turned to a 4-3 defense, adding large veteran linemen Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis in effort to help break a three-game playoff losing streak, the latest loss souring a 14-2 regular season.
Veteran receiver Chad Ochocinco is another addition to the effort to claim a fourth Super Bowl with Brady.
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