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Oakland Raiders Fans Respect Chiefs More Than Broncos

By Maurice Moton

Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (left) shakes hands with Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio after an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (left) shakes hands with Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio after an NFL football game at O.co Coliseum. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) lines up to snap the football across from Oakland Raiders nose tackle Denico Autry (96) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Dec 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis (61) lines up to snap the football across from Oakland Raiders nose tackle Denico Autry (96) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Final Analysis

In an honest disagreement with 70 percent of Raiders fans, the Broncos will be the tougher opponent for the Silver and Black in the upcoming season.

Denver will field enough talent to maintain a ferocious pass rush. Offensively, they acquired a mobile quarterback with a more accurate arm.

In Sanchez’s last 10 starts, he completed 64.3 percent of his passes, but no one noticed because he played for a Philadelphia Eagles team that didn’t earn a playoff spot. In Manning’s last 10 games, with a better wide receiving corps, he completed 59.8 percent of his passes.

Don’t allow Manning’s legacy to blind you from the facts. Despite losing quarterback Brock Osweiler, Sanchez still provides an upgrade at the position.

During the Chiefs’ surreal 10-game regular-season win streak, the defense allowed 12.8 points per game. Don’t expect Kansas City to stifle opposing offenses without last year’s No. 1 cornerback and a prominent edge-rusher coming off a significant injury.

Sure, the Chiefs have the Defensive Rookie of the Year in cornerback Marcus Peters, but in a passing league, a solid cornerback-safety combo isn’t enough to stifle a three-wide receiver set with a tight end threatening an aged linebacker corps.

The Raiders will likely split the season series with both the Chiefs and Broncos.

However, Oakland’s offense will have a tougher task in dissecting Denver’s defense.

Against the Broncos, the Raiders must account for two Pro Bowl wideouts in their primes and a potential three-headed monster in the backfield.

Related Story: Top 20 AFC West Players, Raiders Lead List?

The Chiefs also boast a multi-layered ground attack, but the offense still struggles to stretch the field.

With wideout Jeremy Maclin and tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’ passing attack still ranked No. 30 in yards and No. 26 touchdowns. Smith’s decision to join the Raiders not only hurts Kansas City’s defense, but it further suppresses their non-explosive offense when these teams square off in Weeks 6 and 14.

In Week 17, on New Years Day, the Raiders and Broncos will ultimately battle for the AFC West title and a home playoff game. Mile High Report, Just Blog Baby, social media workers for both teams and fans on both sides, get your popcorn ready.

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