DENVER (AP) -- For the Oakland Raiders, there never seems to be a good time to face former coach Mike Shanahan and the Denver Broncos.

Since opening the decade with nine wins in 10 games against Denver, the Raiders have dropped eight of nine since Shanahan took over as Broncos coach in 1995.

Not only have the losses come in bunches, but they have followed various plot lines. Oakland has been shut out on Monday night, blown out in the daylight and eliminated from playoff contention twice on the final day of the season.

If that's not enough to make Oakland owner Al Davis slump in his luxury box, consider the fact that three different quarterbacks -- John Elway, Bubby Brister and Brian Griese -- have led Denver to victory.

Chris Miller, revived after concussions forced him into retirement four years ago, has a chance to become the fourth Monday night when the Broncos (3-7) try to salvage what's left of their sorry season against the playoff-minded Raiders (5-4).

"Every time we get ready to play them, we know it's a big game," Denver linebacker Bill Romanowski said. "Maybe the last five years, we've been more prepared. We've also had a lot on the line, too. We just have to prepare like it's a playoff game, like it's a Super Bowl."

Beating Oakland for the second time in six weeks would be one of the few highlights in a season that has seen the bad-luck Broncos lose nine starters to injury and three games by a combined seven points.

Denver, which has fallen from two-time Super Bowl champions to last place in the AFC West, is trying to avoid its worst record since the NFL switched to a 16-game schedule in 1978. The 1990 Broncos finished 5-11.

"We're not cashing in our tickets right now," Miller said. "We may be a heck of a long shot for getting in the playoffs, but we still have a lot to play for."

The Raiders have plenty at stake after shrugging off a 2-3 start that included a last-minute loss to Green Bay in the season-opener and a second-half collapse that led to a one-point defeat at Seattle.

"I think the team has shown some staying power, without a doubt," Oakland coach Jon Gruden said. "The resiliency of the football team is something that I've been pleased with, but we still have a long way to go in my eyes to get this to where we want it to be."

In their second year under Gruden and his complex West Coast offense, the Raiders are establishing themselves as one of the more dangerous offensive teams NFL teams.

Using a balanced attack led by quarterback Rich Gannon, wide receiver Tim Brown and a backfield tandem of Tyrone Wheatley and Napoleon Kaufman, Oakland is fifth in the league in total offense.

"It's worked out pretty good for us," Brown said. "Last year, we had a difficult time just trying to pick up everything. This year, we've been a little more comfortable."

Brown, whose 60 receptions are third in the NFL, will have his hands full Monday night when he goes head-to-head with Denver cornerback Dale Carter.

The two have faced each other regularly over the past seven years. The familiarity apparently has bred contempt as Brown accused Carter of "headhunting" and hitting players in the back of the legs on tackles.

"I haven't said anything to him about it, and I'm sure he doesn't want to hear anything from me about it," Brown said. "It will be something that I will approach the league about this offseason and the competition committee to see what they say."

Carter, whose bad-boy reputation followed him from Kansas City to Denver, shrugged off Brown's comments.

"Whatever, man," he said. "I'm just going after guys, period. I'm not targeting any certain spot to hit anybody. But I will guarantee this -- when I get out there, I am going to be playing 110 percent, regardless."

In the Broncos-Raiders rivalry, it wouldn't be appropriate any other way.

OAKLAND Season schedule and results

DENVER Season schedule and results

September 12 @Green Bay L 24-28 September 19 @Minnesota W 22-17 September 26 Chicago W 24-17 October 3 @Seattle L 21-22 October 10 Denver L 13-16 October 17 @Buffalo W 20-14 October 24 NY Jets W 24-23 October 31 Miami L 9-16 November 14 San Diego W 28-9 November 22 @Denver 9:00pm ET November 28 Kansas City 4:15pm ET December 5 Seattle 4:15pm ET December 9 @Tennessee 8:20pm ET December 19 Tampa Bay 4:05pm ET December 26 @San Diego 4:05pm ET January 2 @Kansas City 1:00pm ET

September 13 Miami L 21-38 September 19 @Kansas City L 10-26 September 26 @Tampa Bay L 10-13 October 3 NY Jets L 13-21 October 10 @Oakland W 16-13 October 17 Green Bay W 31-10 October 24 @New England L 23-24 October 31 Minnesota L 20-23 November 7 @San Diego W 33-17 November 14 @Seattle L 17-20 November 22 Oakland 9:00pm ET December 5 Kansas City 4:15pm ET December 13 @Jacksonville 9:00pm ET December 19 Seattle 4:15pm ET December 25 @Detroit 4:15pm ET January 2 San Diego 4:15pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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