Denver Broncos vs Las Vegas Raiders (10/2/22): Odds, Predictions, Depth Chart
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The Denver Broncos head to Las Vegas in a face-off between two disappointing AFC West foes. The AFC West was expected to be one of the best divisions the NFL had seen in years, but the Raiders are winless following a playoff appearance last season and the Broncos have yet to score more than 16 points. Let’s see who the odds, injuries, and depth charts favor in this matchup.
Denver Broncos Vs. Las Vegas Raiders Betting Odds
Despite their 0-3 record, the Las Vegas Raiders are favored (-1.5) versus the 2-1 Broncos (+1.5). The over under for this game opened at 44.5, but moved up one point to 45.5. This is not a significant line change, but still surprising given that neither of these teams have been scoring juggernauts.
Denver Broncos Vs. Las Vegas Raiders Prediction
Prediction: Broncos 16-13, Under hits
After the Broncos traded for 9x Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson and the Raiders added 2x all pro WR Davante Adams in free agency, these teams were expected to have high flying offenses. Instead, the Broncos are the 2nd lowest scoring team in the league and the Raiders have started 0-3. Even new head coaches Nathaniel Hackett and Josh McDaniels, who previously coached Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, have not turned these teams into offensive powers.
By securing Russell Wilson, the Broncos wanted to “let Russ cook.” Yet Wilson is currently 19th in passing yards per game with an average of 247 yards and has only thrown two touchdown passes. Not exactly what Broncos fans envisioned. Instead, the defense has the carried the Broncos to their 2-1 record, giving up a mere 12 points per game. The question about the Broncos defense remains is their defense really that good, or have they just gotten away with playing crummy offenses. They’ve played quarterbacks Geno Smith, Davis Mills, and Jimmy Garoppolo, none of which are keeping defensive coordinators up at night.
Meanwhile, the Raiders offense ranks in the middle of the pack at 17th in terms of yards, averaging 346 yards per game. Since week 1, the Raiders have struggled distributing the ball to their best weapons. Adams has only a combined 48 yards the past two weeks, while tight end Darren Waller only put up 22 yards last week. If the Raiders want to be more successful, they need to get the ball more to their money players.
I’m picking the underdog Broncos to upset the Raiders. The Raiders have yet to show they can finish a game while the Broncos have made the clutch plays when necessary, like P.J. Locke forcing a fumble to seal the game last Sunday.
“As a defense, that’s what we want to do. We want to get turnovers. … [@PjLocke4 came] up with a huge play to finish the game.”@ReemBoi25 x #UnbeatableMoments pic.twitter.com/vPBpBsURbt
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 28, 2022
Betting Trends
- Broncos are 9-19 ATS in their last 28 vs. AFC West
- Broncos are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall
- Raiders are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. AFC
Key Injuries
Denver Broncos Injuries: D.J. Jones (Q), Darius Phillips (Q), Baron Browning (Q), Jonathon Cooper (Q), Billy Turner (Q), Tyrie Cleveland (Q), Brandon Johnson (Q)
Las Vegas Raiders Injuries: Andre James (Q), Hunter Renfrow (Q), Neil Farrell Jr. (Q), Trevon Moehrig (Q), Denzel Perryman (Q), Tae Davis (Q), Rock Ya-Sin (Q), Tyler Lancaster (Q), Cre’von LeBlanc (Q), Nate Hobbs (Q)
Key Matchups
Raiders Offense Weapons vs Pat Surtain II
For the Raiders weapons to get back on track they will have to go up against one of the league’s top cornerbacks in Patrick Surtain II. Last week versus a good 49ers receiving corps that features Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, Surtain did not give up a single reception on six targets. Surtain will likely go up against Davante Adams on some of the snaps, so watch out to see which of these top players at their position wins the battle. Right now, the momentum favors young Surtain over the veteran Adams.
.@broncos @PatSurtainll can do it all; off the ball, press man, ball skills. Difficult CB to beat….always under control and trusting his skills to win. #broncoscountry #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/vAddrNPAMZ
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 26, 2022
Russell Wilson vs Raiders Pass Defense
Neither Russell Wilson or the Raiders pass defense has impressed this year, so whichever one of these units can step up could make a big difference in the outcome. Russell Wilson is in the bottom half of passing yards per game. The good news is he faces a Raiders defense which is 26th in pass yards allowed, allowing 376 yards per game. Wilson and the Broncos also began to click on an 80 yard drive at the end of last week’s game versus the Niners. This weekend versus the Raiders is a favorable matchup for the Broncos to continue gaining some offensive momentum.
Denver Broncos Depth Chart
QB: Russell Wilson
RB1: Javonte Williams
RB2: hMelvin Gordon III
LWR: hCourtland Sutton
RWR: K.J. Hamler
SWR: Jerry Judy
TE1: hAlbert Okwuegbunam
Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart
QB: Derek Carr
RB1: Josh Jacobs
RB2: hBrandon Bolden
LWR: Davante Adams
RWR: Tyron Johnson
SWR: Hunter Renfrow
TE1: hDarren Waller
