Pro picks
Broncos try to keep up playoff drive by beating Raiders Denver was 6-2 when Oakland came to town for a Monday night showcase Nov. 11. The Raiders won 34-10, and the Broncos also lost three of their next four games before rebounding to beat Kansas City last week.
On Sunday, the Broncos visit Oakland. If the Raiders (9-5) win, they’ll be in great position in the AFC West, and Denver (8-6) will be close to elimination from the playoffs.
Oakland, which had a five-game winning streak broken in Miami last week, is a four-point favorite.
If this is a reprise of the first game, the Broncos are in trouble – they allowed Rich Gannon to throw for 352 yards. Until last week in Miami, when he was held to 204 yards passing, Gannon had a good shot at breaking Dan Marino’s single-season record of 5,084.
“He has just an unbelievable feel for what’s going on,” said Denver coach Mike Shanahan, who thinks Gannon should be the league MVP.
“If you give him time, he’s going to pick you apart, which he’s done the majority of the year. You’ve got to keep him off-balance and you’ve got to out-execute him.”
The Broncos probably can’t hold down Gannon the way the Dolphins did. But Brian Griese could have more success against the Raiders’ banged-up secondary. Charles Woodson, one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, says he’ll play this week despite a broken right leg that’s kept him out of the last two games.
So this could be a shootout.
RAIDERS, 34-28
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Pittsburgh (plus 41/2) at Tampa Bay
Jon Gruden isn’t worried about home-field advantage for the playoffs. But playing at home will help his defense in this one. BUCS, 17-7
New York Giants (plus 5) at Indianapolis
The Giants moved last week from the brink of elimination to legitimate contention.
They move back this week. COLTS, 22-16
Cleveland (plus 3) at Baltimore
The winner might have a legitimate shot at winning the AFC North. RAVENS, 16-14
Tennessee (minus 3) at Jacksonville
The Titans are the AFC’s best team right now. TITANS, 24-20
Miami (minus 3) at Minnesota
Cris Carter returns. DOLPHINS, 27-22
New York Jets (plus 4) at New England
The Jets are resilient, if nothing else. PATRIOTS, 21-20
Philadelphia (minus 61/2) at Dallas
The Cowboys are usually tough at home. But have they given up? EAGLES, 20-3
San Francisco (minus 41/2) at Arizona
The Cardinals are trying. The 49ers are just about locked into the NFC’s fourth seed. 49ERS, 27-25
Detroit (plus 11) at Atlanta
It’s hard to see the Falcons blowing this one. FALCONS, 30-13
New Orleans (minus 7) at Cincinnati
See above. SAINTS, 34-13
Buffalo (plus 61/2) at Green Bay
At least the Bills won’t suffer from weather shock. PACKERS, 31-20
San Diego (off) at Kansas City
The Chiefs need a Priest (Holmes) to win this one. CHARGERS, 27-20
Houston (plus 6) at Washington
Houston GM Charley Casserly was fired by Dan Snyder. TEXANS, 12-11
St. Louis (plus 1) at Seattle
Marc Bulger to 7-0? RAMS, 24-23
Chicago (plus 3) at Carolina
John Fox has done a good job with very little. PANTHERS, 20-19
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LAST WEEK: 7-9 (spread), 10-6 (straight up)
SEASON: 110-109-5 (spread), 142-81-1 (straight up)