Schlereth: Early stop, stuff run among keys for Broncos vs. Raiders

If the Denver Broncos plan to escape the Black Hole in Oakland with a victory, by most indications they’ll have to do so by limiting one of the NFL’s top-ranked offenses.

The Raiders, through the first half of the season, rank fourth in the league according to Pro Football Reference, thanks in part to the passing attack led by quarterback, and early MVP candidate, Derek Carr.

And according to Pro Football Focus, Raiders wideouts Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree grade out as the 10th and 13th best receivers in the NFL — no other due ranked in the top 15 together.

But despite Oakland’s threats through the air, “Schlereth and Evans” co-host Mark Schlereth said Friday that Denver’s best matchup on defense lies with its secondary.

“Now, as T.J. Ward said, … maybe they’re not elite. Maybe they’re not the greatest tandem in football. But they’re pretty doggone good,” Schlereth said. “Now, here’s the great news. That’s where the Broncos match up best, even without Aqib Talib. They’ll match up really well there, mano a mano, with those wide receivers.”

Earlier this week, the Broncos safety called both Crabtree and Cooper good, but not elite, receivers.

“I feel like they have two good receivers. I don’t feel they have two elite receivers.” TJ Ward on Crabtree and Cooper.

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) November 2, 2016

And with Denver able to handle the passing attack, Schlereth said he believes the Broncos defense needs to sure up its weakness: stuffing the run.

“You have got to be able to defend the run. You have got to be able to shed blocks, to get off blocks, and to make plays. And you’ve got to be willing, as the Broncos are, to play man coverage, insert a safety into the box, and make sure that you have great gap discipline in the running game,” Schlereth said. “Because the one weakness of this defense has been its inability to consistently stop the running game.”

Schlereth also said it would be key for Denver to put together a 3-and-out to start out the game on defense.

“Defensively you cannot wait until you get punched in the teeth before you decide, ‘OK, now it’s time to start playing.’ This is the Oakland Raiders. This is an offense that right now has a lot of confidence,” Schlereth said. “Right off the bat, you’ve got to find a way to make a big play on the defensive side of the ball that gets you out on your first third down.”

Through its first eight games, only twice did Denver stop an opponent from scoring on its first drive — in Week 4, when they intercepted Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jameis on the third play of the game, and Week 7, when they held Brock Osweiler to and the Houston Texans to a 3-and-out.

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