Raiders at home shaping up to be a must-win game for Broncos

As the Denver Broncos (1-0) welcome in the Oakland Raiders (0-1) on Sunday, some within the 104.3 The Fan studios see the matchup as not only another chapter in the storied rivalry but a “must-win” for Denver.

On Friday, “Schlereth and Evans” host Mark Schlereth said it’s imperative that the Broncos “handle (their) business” against teams not as good as them and that have “issues.”

“The Raiders want to feel sorry for themselves. Trust me. They want to. So, my thought process is give them a reason to feel sorry for themselves,” Schlereth said. “Go out and thunder punch them in the lips right off the bat, and give them a reason to feel sorry for themselves. Give them a reason to tuck their tails.”

Schlereth’s comments echo those of Sandy Clough, who said on Thursday night that the Raiders game is one “you circle as a virtual certain before the season begins.”

“This is one of those games, certainly among all the home games, that you absolutely have to have,” Clough said.

On Thursday, Schlereth’s co-host Mike Evans said the Broncos need to move on from the “good vibes” of a win over the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday and topple a vulnerable Raiders squad.

“This game is every bit a must-win as last Sunday’s was. You have to start off 2-0. You have to,” Evans said. “With two games at home, especially against an Oakland opponent right now that is wobbly at best and is vulnerable to say the least, you’ve got to take advantage of it.”

And for those who say Sunday’s game isn’t a “must-win” for the Broncos, Schlereth said, “Go ahead and lose this game and let me see how you feel on Monday as a fan. You tell me you didn’t let one slip away.”

“Lose this game and don’t make the playoffs. You’ll be pointing back to Week 2,” Schlereth said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.