PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Coaches Expect Different Game

After learning that the Denver Broncos would have to play the Raiders again in a wild-card playoff game after playing them last Sunday, Bronco Coach Wade Phillips did not hesitate to predict a different game.

“It’s going to a lot harder for both teams to move the ball,” Phillips said after watching the two teams combine for 63 points and 869 yards in total offense. “I know that it looks like we’ll have to change some things on defense, coverage-wise.”

Said Raider Coach Art Shell: “I’m sure you’ll see some adjustment by both teams. We sure can’t let John (Elway, the Broncos’ quarterback) throw the ball like he did against us Sunday.”

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After giving up seven sacks against the Raiders in October, Denver’s offensive line pitched a shutout against the Raiders’ pass rush last Sunday.

Raider middle linebacker Joe Kelly said that the Broncos were determined not to let anyone get to Elway.

“Anytime one of our defensive linemen got past one of their blockers, you could hear them hollering, ‘Here they come’,” Kelly said. “I expect them to do what was successful for them again, like throwing quick passes and anything else to avoid a lot of sacks.

“For one game, you can’t overhaul your entire offense. You have to stay with what you do best. After playing each other twice, we know what they do and they know what we do.”

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One reason the Raiders were able to slow Elway in the second half last week was that they blitzed more than usual.

Unable to sustain a consistent rush for nearly three quarters, the Raiders blitzed linebackers and a safety to break Elway’s rhythm and it worked.

“At that point of the game, we needed to put pressure on him,” Kelly said. “He was picking us apart until we started sending people after him.”

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Both teams are hurting for Sunday’s game. For the Raiders, fullback Steve Smith (ankle), defensive tackle Nolan Harrison (ankle), safety Derrick Hoskins (leg), wide receiver Rocket Ismail (neck), cornerback James Trapp (groin) and running back Greg Robinson (knee) did not practice Thursday.

Smith, Harrison, Hoskins and Ismail are expected to play. Rookie safety Patrick Bates, who has not played since injuring his leg against Seattle on Dec. 12, has not returned to practice.

Denver will be without defensive end Dan Williams, who injured a knee last Sunday. Linebacker Dave Wyman (toe/thumb), tight end Reggie Johnson (hamstring), cornerback Charles Dimry (hip), running back Robert Delpino (toe) and wide receiver Derek Russell (ankle) are listed as questionable.