PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Key to Victory Is Stopping Elway

The key for the Raiders against the Denver Broncos Monday night is simple: Stop John Elway.

In 17 games against Elway, the Raiders have won 11 times, but they have had their share of problems. Last year at Denver, Elway led the Broncos to a comeback victory to open the season.

“The thing with Elway is that he’s not just sitting there,” Raider cornerback Terry McDaniel said. “You don’t want to give him anything. You have to stay with your guy because a lot of times, he’s running around and then hits the pass.”

Elway has passed for 17 touchdowns against the Raiders, but has also thrown 22 interceptions and been sacked 45 times.

This season, the Raiders are tied for third in the NFL in interceptions with nine and have the league’s top sacker in Anthony Smith, who has eight. Smith has 31 1/2 sacks in his last 36 games.