The Matt McGloin-Trevor Siemian matchup you've eagerly been anticipating is nearly here. The Denver Broncos take on the Oakland Raiders in their regular-season finale Sunday.
At least there will be a dash of Paxton Lynch sprinkled in.
Oakland, which is battling for playoff seeding, will be without quarterback and fringe-MVP candidate Derek Carr, who broke his leg last weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. Denver, which was eliminated from playoff contention against the Chiefs on Christmas, says it's going to start Siemian but play Lynch on Sunday.
The game could play a part in helping Denver determine which quarterback it will roll with next year. Siemian's numbers this season — 3,195 yards, 16 TD, 9 INT, 7.0 yards per attempt, 59.3 percent completion rate — aren't awful, and he's played behind a poor offensive line. But he's given Denver hardly any big plays, completing just 11 passes that have traveled 21-plus yards in the air the entire season.
Lynch hasn't been good in the two games and some change he's played in. But the hope from Denver's perspective is that more experience might help the player who the Broncos traded up to select in the first round of May's NFL draft.
The Broncos have issues at a lot of places offensively — along the offensive line, at running back and quarterback. Sunday represents an opportunity to see what they have in Lynch, even if it is a small sample size.
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Matt McGloin vs. the Broncos' pass defense.
McGloin broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Raiders in 2013. He hasn't made a start since 2014, and he's attempted four passes this season. He'll get to face what's the best pass defense in the NFL.
Denver is allowing a microscopic 187.2 yards through the air per game, 55 percent completion rate and sacked opposing QBs 40 times. McGloin might want to say a hosanna or two before Sunday.
How to watch the game
When: 2:25 p.m. Sunday
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High
TV: CBS
The line
DENVER -1 1/2
The pick
Broncos 24, Raiders 10
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