Therefore, forgive Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha when he looks askance at a compliment from Shanahan.

"Oh, he's lying," Asomugha said, when told of the gushing words from Shanahan. "He's going for me, I'm sure."

Asomugha has faced only 10 passes in 10 games this season. Each week, he convinces himself this is the game a team is going to challenge him. That game comes and goes, with little or no action.

The Broncos challenged Asomugha once in the teams' first meeting in the regular-season opener. The pass went for 6 yards to wide receiver Eddie Royal on a quick slant.

On Wednesday, Shanahan said he is so impressed by Asomugha's play that he intends to seek him out after Sunday's game just so he can shake his hand and tell him how much he admires his play.

"He's one of my favorite players, even though he is with the Raiders," Shanahan said in a conference call.

Backs to the wall

Two weeks ago, the Raiders were only two games behind the Broncos in the AFC West with eight games to play. Raiders coach Tom Cable used that as a motivational tool for his players.

The Raiders enter Sunday's contest against the Broncos four games back. A loss would eliminate the Raiders from division title contention because they would be five games behind with only five to play, and the Broncos would hold the tie-breaker by virtue of a 2-0 record in head-to-head matches.

In other words, it's win-or-turn-your-attention-toward-the-2009-season time for the Raiders. Earning a wild-card berth is even more of a long shot.

Extra points

The Raiders have a league-low three rushing touchdowns in 10 games. They last scored on the ground Sept. 21 against the Buffalo Bills. Even then, that came on a 1-yard sneak by quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Their streak stands at 29 quarters and one overtime period. ... The Dallas Cowboys announced Thursday that rookie running back Felix Jones needs surgery to repair a torn ligament at the base of one of his big toes and is out for the rest of the season. Could it be that there's something in the water in Arkansas? Raiders rookie running back Darren McFadden has missed three games and been limited in several others because of turf-toe injuries to both big toes. ... Center Jake Grove (calf) and linebacker Ricky Brown (groin) missed practice for the second straight day. Cornerback Chris Johnson hurt his knee in practice Wednesday and missed Thursday. Grove and Brown are doubtful for Sunday's game.

Steve Corkran