Raiders News: Broncos Safety T.J. Ward Says Amari Cooper And Michael Crabtree Are Good But Not Elite

The Oakland Raiders offense has developed into one of the best in the league this season, particular their passing game led by quarterback Derek Carr and wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.

In the Raiders Week 8 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Carr had a franchise record 513 passing yards to go along with four touchdowns while Cooper had a career-high 173 receiving yards on 12 receptions to go along with a touchdown. Crabtree had 108 receiving yards of his own, good enough for his second 100-yard receiving game of the year.

At 6-2 the Raiders are currently tied for the AFC West lead with the Denver Broncos ahead of the two teams Week 9 matchup in Oakland. When asked about the Raiders receiving core, Broncos safety T.J. Ward said that they are good, but not elite, via Zac Jackson of NBC Sports:

“I feel like [the Raiders] have two good receivers,” Ward told reporters Wednesday. “I don’t feel like they have two elite receivers.”

Cooper has 787 receiving yards in eight games this season, which ranks third in the league behind only A.J. Green of the Cincinnati Bengals and Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons.

Crabtree is also among the league leaders in receiving as he ranks 12th with 569 yards and tied for first with six receiving touchdowns.

Carr, Cooper and Crabtree will face their toughest test yet Sunday as the Broncos secondary led by Ward and Chris Harris Jr. is one of the best in the league. They may luck out as Denver’s best cover corner Aqib Talib is dealing with a back injury that forced him to miss the Broncos Week 8 game, and his status for Sunday’s game may be in jeopardy.