The Raiders have been playing hard under Antonio Pearce, and while his chances of getting the full-time role are solid, that decision has hardly been cemented. It’s tough to back a team with Aidan O’Connell under center, but we saw the Broncos with Jarrett Stidham last week manage just 16 points at home against the Chargers. The attacking Las Vegas defense should take advantage of a Denver team that struggles in play action, and in terms of motivation, the Raiders at home should have that edge – for whatever it is worth.

Uncertainty is a given in a Week 18 matchup between eliminated teams, but it's almost a given the Raiders' defense will exert itself fully. Since Antonio Pierce became interim coach, it has yielded a league-low 16.3 points per game, and players seem bent on delivering a final statement on Pearce getting the job. Denver is unlikely to break the pattern with QB Jarrett Stidham, who generated 16 points in his first start of the season last week. The imminent departure of QB Russell Wilson from the Broncos surely hangs over the visitors.

It has been a bizarre first season for Sean Payton and the Broncos, starting in disaster before a stunning turnaround... but now the 360-degree turn appears complete amid the puzzling acrimony with B Russell Wilson. This odd journey started with an upset home loss to the Raiders, so it only makes sense that it will be bookended by paying the favor back to Las Vegas.

It's pretty shocking that Antonio Pierce hasn't been given the Raiders job already, but it makes sense with what we know about Jim Harbaugh's desire to return to the NFL. Mark Davis loves a splash hire and Harbs would qualify, especially if he won the natty for Michigan and then jumped back to the NFL. Regardless, we get a team in Las Vegas looking to really make a final push for the interim coach they want hired full time against a team in Denver that might be phoning it in a bit with Jarrett Stidham having taken over for Russell Wilson and the Broncos fully eliminated from postseason contention.

This is a matchup between two teams who sneakily might have something to play for. For the Raiders, the players want to demonstrate Antonio Pierce should keep the head-coaching job. For the Broncos, Sean Payton wants to prove his offense can be more successful without Russell Wilson. I think both defenses are in a much better spot that both offenses right now, and that's with how poorly the Denver defense has played most of the season. Even so, I can't see Aidan O'Connell scoring a bunch of points here, and I expect this game to stay under the total.

The Raiders D is at its best at home, with the pass rush a real problem for opponents, They're 12-4 to the under on the season and have held the visiting team to 17 or less in 5 of 8 games played in Vegas. Oh, and they are pretty familiar with the Broncos new starter, Stidham, from his stint there last year. Both teams struggle to throw the ball. Broncos AFC West game totals: 25, 23, 33, 27, 33. These two played a 17-16 affair Week 1, and with different QBs now, I see a similar result. Both will run the ball a ton. Both very likely in the market for a new QB. I expect Raiders D to end season strong for Antonio Pierce.