(My Sportsbook) - Denver took last Sunday off following its second straight win in Week 8, a 24-16 victory over the New England Patriots. In the wake of Oakland's collapse, the Broncos are viewed by many as the top team in the AFC.

Head coach Mike Shanahan has a well-documented disdain for the Raiders, and he would love to knock the Silver and Black down a little further in the standings. For that to happen, QB Brian Griese will need to continue his recent success and the stingy Denver D must contain the desperate Raiders. One thing's for sure, Shanahan will have his team ready for this prime time showdown after an extra week of preparation.

"The whole team got up for the Raiders," said Oakland cornerback Tory James, who played for Shanahan's Broncos from 1996-99. "If we only won one game, the Raiders were the team we wanted to beat."

Shanahan is 12-2 (.857) in career versus the Raiders, including 7-0 at home.

Griese has answered the call in a big way this season, and he was at his best in Week 8 versus New England. He completed an amazing 78.3 percent of his passes (18-for-23) and needed to throw for only 229 yards in the victory. He teamed with WR Ed McCaffrey eight times for 116 yards. If history is any indication, Griese will continue his impressive play this week.

The University of Michigan product has a 4-1 (.800) career record as starter versus the Raiders. Griese had 98.6 passer rating in last meeting, completing 19-of-26 passes (73.1 pct.) for 142 yards with one TD and zero interceptions. He holds the longest current consecutive games streak with a touchdown pass (23).

Since Shanahan has been working with Griese exclusively for the past four seasons, he knows how to run the offense around the strengths of his QB. The result has been a 65.8 completion percentage for Griese, which would be the best mark of his career if the season ended today.

But what has made Griese so successful more than anything else is the quick rise of rookie RB Clinton Portis. The first-year sensation ran for 11 yards against the Patriots two weeks ago, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Portis gives Shanahan the ability to balance the offense and limit the amount of pressure on Griese. In Week 8, Shanahan called 40 running plays and 23 passes.

WR Rod Smith had 18 receptions for 147 yards and 3 TDs last year vs. Oakland. In past 7 against Raiders, Smith has 51 catches (7.3 per game). He and McCaffrey are a potent one-two punch. Also, TE Shannon Sharpe is still playing at a high level and he loves the prime time spotlight.

Sharpe leads all NFL TEs in receptions (38), and he will be a real test for Oakland's suspect safeties in coverage.

RHODES SCHOLARS

Defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes was under fire last season for a total lapse from his unit. It got so bad, in fact, that Shanahan had to take over much of the defensive play calling. This year, Rhodes has orchestrated a complete turnaround and the Broncos' defense ranks first overall in the AFC. Thanks to DT Trevor Pryce and the defensive line, Denver yields only 74.3 rushing yards per game.

Although Oakland RB Charlie Garner was ineffective against New England (season-low 16 receiving yards), he will be a big part of the Raiders' game plan this week. Garner is a double threat for his rushing and pass catching skills, which could test Denver's recent success.

Luckily for the Broncos, their linebacking corps has the speed to match up with Garner out of the backfield. LBs John Mobley and Al Wilson anchor the unit, and it will be tough for the Raiders to get Garner out in open space.

The Raiders use short drops and quick passes as the bread and butter of their offense, which could nullify the impact of Pryce. After switching to the outside from his DT spot last season, Pryce has developed into one of the top ends in the league. He has great quickness that has resulted in a conference- best seven sacks.

Oakland WRs Brown, Jerry Rice and Jerry Porter have the skill to bounce back this week, but Denver's secondary has been overachieving all season. CB Deltha O'Neal is a smart defender who has the knack for making big plays.

One interesting sub-plot this week will be Oakland's success picking up first downs. Denver allows an AFC-low 17.0 first downs per game, but the Raiders average the second-most first downs in the NFL (23.6 per game).

COMING UP: The Broncos face the Seahawks in Seattle in Week 11.