No. 3: The Secondary Needs to Play Better

Last week, the secondary didn’t play too well, allowing Derek Carr to complete 29 of his 32 attempts. That’s a whopping 90.6 completion percentage for the Raiders quarterback.

You can’t allow that if you expect to win ball games. They also allowed 288 yards through the air, which isn’t too bad but can be improved.

The Broncos have plenty of talent still in this secondary, even with the departure of cornerback Aqib Talib this offseason. You still have defensive backs Chris Harris, Bradley Roby and Darian Stewart, while also adding Adam Jones a few weeks ago.

With that type of ability in the secondary, they should be having plenty of success this season. It just didn’t come to fruition last week, allowing the Raiders to nearly complete every pass they attempted.

Remember, one of the last times these teams played was in the AFC divisional round of the playoffs in 2012. The Ravens would go on to win the Super Bowl that season.

During that game, Joe Flacco completed a 70-yard pass to wide receiver Jacoby Jones down the right sideline with under a minute to go in regulation. This play is now known as the “Mile High Miracle,” but not because of the Broncos making a game-defining play.

Turnovers would be a nice way to get some momentum going for this secondary. Flacco has 76 interceptions since 2013, while also throwing two just last week on Thursday Night Football.

If the Broncos can make it uncomfortable in the pocket on Flacco, the interceptions could come in bunches on Sunday. The Broncos will need their pass rush and secondary to work in tandem to have triumph over the birds in purple and black.