The AFC West race looks like it's going to be a real barnburner this season, and we'll get our first taste of the action on Sunday Night Football with the Oakland Raiders hosting the Denver Broncos. The winner will take full control of the division for now, and the stakes couldn't be higher for these hated divisional rivals.
Broncos vs. Raiders 2016 live stream: How to watch ‘Sunday Night Football’ online
First place in the AFC West is up for grabs when these bitter rivals clash on Sunday night.
The game will be televised on NBC and can be streamed online at the NBC Sports Live site. Verizon customers can also access the game on mobile devices via the NFL’s official app.
The Raiders entered the season as a trendy pick to make the playoffs, but few people could've predicted them to race out to a 6-2 start. Derek Carr has taken the leap toward being a legitimate franchise quarterback, completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 2,321 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. He had his best performance yet in Week 8, roasting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 513 passing yards and four touchdowns in an overtime victory.
Oakland is fortunate to have Carr playing so well, because the team has otherwise been undisciplined and putting in poor defensive performances. They set an NFL record with 23 penalties against the Buccaneers, and currently rank 31st in the league in yards allowed per game. The Raiders have scored only 12 more points than they’ve allowed, which doesn’t seem sustainable for an aspiring playoff contender. But that might not matter much if Carr keeps putting the team on his back like he has.
The Broncos are also 6-2, thanks to their defense continuing to play at a top level (third in yards per game, fifth in points allowed per game). However, there are some cracks in the offense. Trevor Siemian has hit a wall in recent weeks, completing just 53.9 percent of his passes for 433 yards (6.8 yards per attempt), one touchdown, and one interception. The running game is also a major question mark, with C.J. Anderson on injured reserve and Devontae Booker limited with a shoulder injury.
Fortunately for Siemian, he has a world-class defense to fall back on. The Broncos picked off Philip Rivers three times in their Week 8 matchup, including a 51-yard pick-six by Bradley Roby that ultimately swung the game in Denver's favor. Von Miller continues to be a force of nature, ranking second in the league with 8.5 sacks and becoming a serious Defensive Player of the Year candidate once again. T.J. Ward has three forced fumbles, which is tied for the second-most in football behind Bruce Irvin ... who happens to be facing Siemian and company on Sunday night.
This game makes for a fascinating clash of styles. A high-flying Raiders offense going up against a fierce Broncos defense. A Broncos offense struggling to find a consistent pulse, facing a Raiders defense that hasn’t stopped many opponents this year. This could be one of those games where whichever team has the ball last will win. With so much on the line and a heated divisional rivalry, NBC has a can’t-miss matchup this week.
How to watch
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Place: Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.
TV: NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya
Online: NBC Sports Live
See More:
