Ascending Broncos Host Hated Raiders

Football Betting Lines

11/21/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In last Sunday's win at the Atlanta Falcons, the Denver Broncos proved that their beleaguered defense could exhibit solid play for four quarters against a quality opponent with a dangerous offensive cast.

The Broncos' task on Sunday, against an Oakland Raiders team that is neither high-quality nor boasts any semblance of offensive consistency, figures to be far less challenging.

The Raiders (2-8) come into Invesco Field at Mile High having not scored an offensive touchdown in 13 quarters dating back to a third-quarter JaMarcus Russell touchdown pass to Justin Griffith against Baltimore on Oct. 26th.

Since that time, the Silver and Black have found the end zone just once, a 93- yard punt return for a score by Johnnie Lee Higgins against Miami last Sunday. That fourth-quarter TD actually put the Raiders ahead, 15-14, until the ensuing Dolphins drive resulted in a game-winning field goal and handed Miami a 17-15 win. The result extended Oakland's losing streak to four since an overtime victory against the Jets in Week 7.

The Raiders have not scored a first-quarter touchdown this season, and have not scored a first-quarter touchdown on the road since Sept. 30, 2007, when current Detroit Lion Daunte Culpepper rushed for a touchdown against the Dolphins.

Entering Week 12, Oakland is last in the NFL in scoring offense (12.8 points per game), passing offense (136.9 yards per game), completion percentage (49.6), touchdowns (10), rushing touchdowns (3), passing touchdowns (6), and third-down percentage (22.1).

The Broncos, meanwhile, feature one of the most powerful passing attacks in the league, though as mentioned, it was the defense that was the story in last week's 24-20 win at Atlanta.

Three Falcons running backs combined for just 96 yards on 30 carries (3.2 yards per attempt), with a makeshift Denver linebacking corps consisting of rookie Spencer Larsen in the middle and Wesley Woodyard and Jamie Winborn on the outside making a number of big tackles and consistently guarding against the game-changing big play.

Against the pass, the Broncos didn't have a sack and allowed Roddy White to go over 100 yards, but also kept quarterback Matt Ryan from throwing a touchdown strike and received a big interception from cornerback Dre' Bly in the second half.

The 20 points were the fewest surrendered by the Broncos since defeating the Buccaneers, 16-13, on Oct. 5.

The victory, coupled with a Chargers loss at Pittsburgh, moved Mike Shanahan's squad two games up on second-place San Diego (4-6) in the AFC West.

SERIES HISTORY

The Raiders lead the all-time regular season series with Denver, which dates back to 1960, by a 54-40-2 count, but were a 41-14 home loser when the teams met in Week 1. Denver is now 21-6 against Oakland since the 1995 season, but had a five-game winning streak in the series snapped with a 34-20 loss in Oakland in Week 12 of last year. The Broncos were 23-20 overtime winners when the clubs met in the Mile High City in Week 2 of last year, and the Raiders are 0-3 in Denver since last winning there in 2004.

In addition to the regular season series, the teams have split a pair of postseason matchups, with Denver winning the 1977 AFC Championship, 20-17, and the then-Los Angeles Raiders prevailing in a 1993 AFC First-Round Playoff, 42-24.

Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan is 21-6 against the team he coached in 1988 and part of the 1989 season before being fired. Oakland's Tom Cable will be meeting both Shanahan and the Broncos for the first time as a head coach.

WHEN THE RAIDERS HAVE THE BALL

Charged with the task of leading Oakland's first touchdown drive of the month of November will be Russell (1445 passing yards, 6 TD, 4 INT), who returned from a one-week injury absence in last week's loss to Miami. Russell was nearly made an unlikely winner after the Raiders took a late lead, though the best thing you could say about the second-year pro's performance is that he didn't make any major mistakes. Russell completed 15-of-22 passes for 156 yards without a touchdown or turnover in the loss, including six completions for 73 yards to wideout Ronald Curry (14 receptions, 1 TD), who posted his top performance of the year. The Raiders' top target for most of 2008 has been tight end Zach Miller (29 receptions, 1 TD), who caught four balls for 67 yards in the defeat. Rookie rusher Darren McFadden (354 rushing yards, 1 TD, 12 receptions) returned last week after missing three games with turf toe, but Justin Fargas (440 rushing yards, 5 receptions) continued to receive a bulk of the carries. Fargas carried 17 times for 57 yards in the game, while the first-rounder McFadden totaled just 13 yards on three rush attempts. The Raider o-line has struggled for much of the year, allowing 32 sacks, including six last week.

With injuries still wreaking havoc on defense, the Broncos are going to need previously unknown players like Larsen, Woodyard, and rookie cornerbacks Josh Bell (6 tackles) and Jack Williams (10 tackles) to continue making an impact. Larsen (15 tackles), who made headlines by starting at linebacker, fullback, and on special teams in the same game, finished with seven tackles in the Atlanta win, while running mates Woodyard (24 tackles) and Winborn (58 tackles) combined for 18 more. The Broncos improved to 26th in the league versus the run (142.1 yards per game) following last week's effort. The Broncos continue to rank just 29th in the league against the pass (243.5 yards per game), and have only four interceptions on the year, but could get cornerback Champ Bailey (28 tackles, 1 INT) back after a three-game absence on Sunday. Bailey (groin) is considered questionable for this week. Getting pressure on Russell will also be a directive for the Broncos on Sunday, after the team was shut out in that regard last week. Denver has 20 sacks on the year, including a combined seven from ends Ebenezer Ekuban (20 tackles, 4 sacks) and Elvis Dumervil (14 tackles, 3 sacks).

WHEN THE BRONCOS HAVE THE BALL

Though the Broncos have undergone numerous personnel changes since the Raiders last saw them in Week 1, what has not changed is that Denver remains essentially a pass-first group. Jay Cutler (2832 passing yards, 19 TD, 11 INT) enters Week 12 with a strong 90.7 passer rating, and was an efficient 19-of-27 for 216 yards with a touchdown and no turnovers in Atlanta last week. Brandon Marshall (63 receptions, 4 TD) and Eddie Royal (56 receptions, 4 TD) have both proven difficult for opponents to stop. Royal went for 146 yards against the Raiders in Week 1, a game in which Marshall did not appear due to a suspension. Tight end Tony Scheffler (20 receptions, 2 TD) has been mostly quiet amid injuries of late, and did not have a catch in Atlanta last Sunday. Scheffler (groin) is considered probable for Sunday. The Broncos' running game has gone to a by-committee approach, which worked well in the win over the Falcons last week. Converted rookie fullback Peyton Hillis (82 rushing yards, 11 receptions, 3 TD) scored two of the Broncos' three touchdowns and rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries, practice squad promotee P.J. Pope made his four carries count for 35 yards, and prodigal son Tatum Bell - who looked like he might never wear an NFL uniform again following a bizarre teammate-theft story after being cut from the Lions in early September - carried seven times for 34 yards just days after being re-signed to the team. The Broncos o-line has done a terrific job protecting Cutler all season, surrendering only seven sacks all year.

Denver could see fit to attack Oakland via the run game, given that the Raiders are a distant 30th in NFL rushing defense (164.5 yards per game) as Week 12 begins. The Dolphins piled up 222 yards on the ground versus the Silver and Black last week, with tackles Gerard Warren (23 tackles, 4 sacks) and Tommy Kelly (40 tackles, 3.5 sacks) again failing to make much of an impact at the point of attack. Linebackers Kirk Morrison (87 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and Thomas Howard (65 tackles, 1 sack) continue to rank among team leaders in tackles, but the fact that safety Gibril Wilson (1 INT) has 86 stops on the year says much about the soft nature of the Raiders' front seven. The strength of the Oakland defense has been its coverage, particularly the work of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (24 tackles, 1 INT) and safeties Wilson and Hiram Eugene (29 tackles). The pass rush has also been decent, generating 24 sacks including three of Chad Pennington last week. End Kalimba Edwards (36 tackles, 5 sacks) continues to lead the club in sacks, but did not manage one last Sunday. Oakland is 12th in the league against the pass (194.7 yards per game) as Week 12 commences, but has also faced the fifth-fewest pass attempts in the NFL.

FANTASY FOCUS

The Raiders have been fantasy league poison for the better part of the past month, but there's a chance someone like Fargas, McFadden, or tight end Miller could put up a surprising total against a still-shaky Denver defense. Otherwise, stay far, far away from any member of this team.

The principles of the Broncos passing game remain strong from a fantasy standpoint, with Cutler, Marshall, and Royal all serving as must-starts. Tight end Scheffler was once a solid option as well, but has been beset by injuries and did not have a catch in Atlanta. The running-back-by-committee approach is generally problematic for fantasy purposes, but given the weakness of the Raiders run defense, you might want to take a flier on Hillis or perhaps Bell. Kicker Matt Prater has been great in leagues that give bonuses for kicks of 50+. Normally you wouldn't get anywhere near the Broncos defense, but if you're looking for a group that has a favorable matchup this week, Denver is the one.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Don't expect the Broncos to underestimate the Raiders as the Dolphins apparently did last week. No matter how bad Oakland is, Shanahan and the Broncos always seem to save something special for them, and wouldn't dare let another opportunity to embarrass Al Davis slip away. Luckily for Denver, this Oakland team figures to be compliant, as the Raiders' effort and talent level have alternately competed for least-potent status. Just like in Week 1, the Broncos will control both sides of the football and walk away with a sizeable win.

Sportsbook Betting Lines Predicted Outcome: Broncos 30, Raiders 10

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Police report: Terrell Owens hospitalized after attempt

Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:15 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened.

The Dallas police report said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

Owens left the hospital late Wednesday morning, giving reporters a "thumbs up" but making no comment as he was driven away in an SUV.

Michael Irvin said that Owens denied he attempted suicide and said he was rushed to the hospital as a result of an adverse reaction to medication. And a source close to Owens told Michael A. Smith that Owens wasn't attempting suicide.

NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said he spoke with Owens shortly before his release from the hospital and that Owens was in good spirits.

"The fact that it has been reported a suicide attempt, he's laughed at that notion. It was a case that medication that was taken wasn't accepted well in his system with the other vitamins he's on," Sanders said.

The series of events began a little before 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Owens' publicist, Kim Etheredge, said she was at Owens' home when he took pain medicine for his broken right hand. Concerned by how he began acting, Etheredge said in various interviews Wednesday with Dallas-area media that she called 911. Owens was taken to a hospital, with Etheredge saying it was an allergic reaction to the medicine.

But early Wednesday, several media outlets received a police report -- that had yet to be released by the authorities -- saying Owens had attempted suicide by overdosing on the painkillers, even putting two more pills into his mouth after an unidentified friend intervened.

The police document, first reported by WFAA-TV, said Owens was asked by rescue workers "if he was attempting to harm himself, at which time [he] stated, 'Yes.'"

When officially released by police, about half the document was blacked out, including the phrases "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication" and "a drug overdose," as well as the details of Owens having two pills pried from his mouth and Owens saying "Yes" when asked if he intended to harm himself.

Etheredge, who said she was the friend cited in the police document, told Dallas-area media Wednesday that the police got the story wrong.

The tape of the 911 call could help clear things up. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get its contents, but fire department officials said it would not be available before late Wednesday.

The police report said the 32-year-old Owens told his friend "that he was depressed." Details of the police report were first reported by WFAA-TV.

The friend, who is not identified in the report, "noticed that [his] prescription pain medication was empty and observed [Owens] putting two pills in his mouth," the police report said.

Using her fingers, the friend attempted to pry them out of Owens' mouth. Owens told police he had taken only five of the 40 pain pills in the bottle he'd emptied before the incident.

Etheredge told the Star-Telegram that Owens was "fine."

Etheredge said she called 911 because Owens was groggy and lethargic. After taking some supplements "it kicked in a reaction" with the painkillers, she told the Star-Telegram.

"Here's a person whose body is so clean, it really had a negative reaction to the medication and supplements he was taking," Etheridge told The Morning News. "Thank goodness someone was there to call an ambulance."

Police Lt. Rick Watson said he could only confirm that paramedics called police to say they were taking Owens to the hospital. He said no more details would come from the police because no laws were broken.

It is not a crime in Texas for a person to attempt suicide.

"This is a high-profile person. We looked into it and we determined it is not a criminal offense," Watson said. "This a medical type of situation that occurred."

Watson and fire department spokesman Joel Lavender cited privacy laws for the lack of information they could provide. Lavender said more details could come from the 911 call. The Associated Press filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act to get the contents of the call.

"Let's just look at the tape, review the tape," Lavender said. "I'll give you an honest answer once I know something."

At the police news conference, Watson released a version of the police narrative with certain sections blacked out. The full report was obtained by several news outlets and reported first by WFAA. The AP received the full version from WFAA.

According to the police report, Dallas Fire and Rescue was called regarding someone "attempting suicide by prescription pain medication." Officers arrived to find Owens being stabilized by ambulance workers, who then took him to Baylor University Medical Center.

Owens was hospitalized late Tuesday because of what his publicist said was an allergic reaction to pain medicine he was taking for a broken hand. Doctors reportedly tried to induce vomiting.

Owens, one of the league's top receivers during his 11-year NFL career, is best known for wild stunts on the field and other publicity-seeking antics off it.

When the Cowboys signed him to a $25 million, three-year deal in March, they said their background checks indicated no red flags. In fact, team consultant Calvin Hill -- who mostly deals with troubled players -- said during training camp that his department was not involved with Owens because he didn't have a history of those kinds of problems.

He missed most of training camp, and three of four preseason games, because of a hamstring injury. He was late for work during his recovery and was fined for it, but Owens laughed it off, saying he overslept. He said it had happened before, though not with Dallas, and would probably happen again.

Owens broke the bone leading to his right ring finger during a game a week ago Sunday. The next day, doctors screwed in a plate so the bone could heal without fear of further damage. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said last week that the pain medicine made Owens ill.

Owens had not practiced since the injury, but because Dallas had a bye this past weekend he did not miss a game. He was expected to practice Wednesday, and Parcells had said there was a chance Owens could play Sunday against Tennessee.

Owens had been especially looking forward to the Cowboys' game after that -- Oct. 8, in Philadelphia, against the team that dumped him midway through last season only months after he helped them nearly win the Super Bowl.

Owens was seen laughing and joking on the practice field Tuesday morning. He chatted briefly with reporters in the locker room in the afternoon and seemed fine. A 2-inch scar on the top of his hand was puffy but not wrapped, and he said the swelling was doing down.

While in the locker room, he took a pill from a white paper bag and looked at another medicine bottle that was in the bag. He also called a business partner about a towel-wrap venture they're starting and joked to TV cameras that he wasn't talking until Wednesday and it was only Tuesday.

"My little boy knows better than that," he said, laughing, as he plopped onto a sofa in the middle of the locker room.

Also Tuesday, Owens was involved in launching a national campaign for the National Alliance to End Abuse, an organization aimed at helping at-risk youngsters. He appeared at a high school Tuesday morning and was scheduled to visit others but had to cancel because of changes in the team's practice schedule.

Owens has played two games for the Cowboys, catching nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. For updated football betting lines and Dallas Cowboy Superbowl odds visit online sportsbook MySportsbook.com

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