Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Led by a resurgent Peyton Manning, the Denver
Broncos are on a roll.
And now the AFC West champs are eyeing a potential first-round bye following
their eighth straight win.
Manning tallied his 5,000th career completion and threw for 310 yards and a
touchdown in the Broncos' 26-13 win over the Oakland Raiders.
Manning, who completed 26-of-36 passes, has tossed 19 touchdowns and seven
interceptions during his torrid eight-game stretch for Denver, which is in the
midst of its longest winning streak since the 1998 squad began the year 13-0.
The Broncos were tied with the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens for
the No. 2 seed in the AFC coming in, but sat fourth in the standings based on
tiebreakers.
Knowshon Moreno finished with 119 yards rushing and a score on a career-high
32 carries, while Eric Decker recorded eight receptions for 88 yards in the
win.
Oakland, meanwhile, is headed in the complete opposite direction.
Carson Palmer had 273 yards through the air on 19-of-30 efficiency with two
scores and an interception for the Raiders, who suffered their sixth straight
defeat.
Raiders head coach and former Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen
returned to the sidelines Thursday following the death of his father, Grady
Allen. The former NFL linebacker was originally hospitalized last week with
heart problems and passed away at the age of 66 on Tuesday.
Darren McFadden returned after missing the previous four games with an injured
ankle and finished with 52 yards on the ground on 11 totes.
The Sports Network