Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Matchup Preview (10/17/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)
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Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Matchup Preview (10/17/21)
The Raiders and Broncos face off in a high-stakes divisional matchup with significant AFC playoff implications. Las Vegas has had the week from hell as they lost two games and saw their head coach Jon Gruden resign following the uncovering of old emails with offensive content. I won’t get into the implications of those emails here, but there’s no question that the fallout will impact the Raiders significantly moving forward. Denver has much fewer off-the-field issues at the moment, but they will be hoping to recover after two straight losses of their own. The winner of this game will be in pole position for an AFC Wild Card spot, so it’s a crucial matchup.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Betting Odds
The Broncos have lost four of their last five games against the Raiders, but they are looking at their best quarterback situation in several years, probably since Peyton Manning retired. Teddy Bridgewater has been incredibly efficient in getting the ball to the team’s high-level offensive talent, and his recent great play will be the difference in this matchup. The Raiders can keep the game close, but Denver gets the edge at home after narrowly losing their last home game against this team.
My predictions: Broncos win 21-17, Broncos cover, under 44 points
- Michigan Sports Betting
- Tennessee Sports Betting
- Arizona Sports Betting
- BetMGM Michigan
- FanDuel Michigan
- DraftKings Michigan
- Caesars Arizona
- DraftKings Arizona
- FanDuel Arizona
- Caesars Promo Code
- BetMGM Bonus Code
- DraftKings Promo Code
You can bet on this NFL game legally. Sports betting has been legalized in the US. You must be located in a legalized state in order to bet online.
TV Schedule
Date: Sunday, October 17th
Time: 4:25 PM ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, CO
TV Coverage: CBS
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Live Stream
Where can you watch Raiders vs. Broncos online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Raiders vs. Broncos Free Online Now.
Injuries
Las Vegas Raiders: RB Peyton Barber (toe) Q, LB Nicholas Morrow (ankle) IR, OG Richie Incognito (calf) IR, CB Trayvon Mullen (toe) Q, CB Damon Arnette (groin) Q, QB Marcus Mariota (quadriceps) IR, DT Gerald McCoy (knee) IR, OG Denzelle Good (ACL) IR
Denver Broncos: CB Ronald Darby (hamstring) Q, CB Michael Ojemudia (hamstring) IR, WR Jerry Jeudy (ankle) IR, OLB Bradley Chubb (ankle) IR, ILB Josey Jewell (pectoral) IR, TE Albert Okwuegbunam (hamstring) IR, WR K.J. Hamler (ACL) IR
Las Vegas Raiders Analysis
With Jon Gruden out, Rich Bisaccia, the Raiders’ former assistant head coach and special teams coordinator, is taking over as the interim head coach with plenty of experience in college football and the NFL dating back to 1983. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will also bring plenty of experience and resolve. Derek Carr’s leadership will be heavily relied upon in this trying time, but his on-field play has not shown up over the past two weeks as he has averaged just 201 passing yards per game over the past two weeks. Carr has been sacked 15 times this year, the third-most in the NFL, as he’s struggled to play consistently behind a transitioning offensive line.
The Raiders rank 21st in pass-blocking and 28th in run-blocking per Football Outsiders, and their offensive line is likely their biggest weakness. Josh Jacobs missed a couple of weeks earlier in the year and has averaged just 40.6 rushing yards per game behind that struggling offensive line. Darren Waller started the season off hot in Week 1 with ten catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, but he has not gone over 70 yards since and has only scored one touchdown over the past four weeks. Henry Ruggs III is starting to break through this season, and Hunter Renfrow is a reliable receiver while Bryan Edwards has flashed great play in his sophomore year. Las Vegas has a cadre of talented, skill-position players to work with, but Denver has one of the best secondaries in the NFL to match them.
Las Vegas’s strong start to the year defensively has been fueled by Gus Bradley’s arrival as the new defensive coordinator, and the team has improved a ton on that side of the ball. After ranking just 28th in defensive DVOA in 2020, the Raiders are 13th in defensive DVOA this year. Vegas has been equally solid against the run and the pass. Maxx Crosby, Yannick Ngakoue, and Carl Nassib have formed an electric pass-rushing trio, while Casey Hayward Jr. has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Denzel Perryman leads the league with 60 tackles. In recent years, the team has also invested heavily in the defense in the draft, leaving them with great depth to go with their star talent.
Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart
QB: Derek Carr
RB1: Josh Jacobs
RB2: Kenyan Drake
WR1: Henry Ruggs III
WR2: Hunter Renfrow
WR3: Bryan Edwards
TE1: Darren Waller
TE2: Foster Moreau
Denver Broncos Analysis
Teddy Bridgewater has arrived as the missing link to the Broncos’ offense, and he has been one of the most efficient passers in the NFL so far. He ranks ninth in the NFL with a passer rating of 106.1 and has completed 69.8% of his passes, the sixth-most in the NFL. Bridgewater has only thrown one interception through five games. His ability to lead an efficient offense and not turn the ball over has allowed the Broncos to be very competitive, given their talent on both sides of the ball. Denver’s offensive line hasn’t been very efficient, as the rest of the O-line has struggled to succeed outside of left tackle Garrett Bolles. Bridgewater has been sacked on 7.61% of his plays, the ninth-most in the NFL.
The Broncos offensive line hasn’t been much better at run-blocking than pass-blocking, but the team’s running backs have been excellent. Melvin Gordon has 60 carries for 282 yards and two touchdowns, while Javonte Williams has 54 carries for 247 yards and a touchdown – both are inside the top 25 in the NFL in rushing yards. Courtland Sutton had looked great in his return from an ACL injury last year, and it’s been essential to the team’s offense with Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler injured. Sutton has 25 catches for 377 yards and a touchdown this season, while he’s been supported primarily by Tim Patrick and Noah Fant. Jeudy’s hopeful return to the team will be significant to the passing offense.
Von Miller’s return to the field has been an incredibly welcome sight for Broncos fans, and he has 4.5 sacks, seven tackles for a loss, and seven QB hits as a fringe Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Denver ranks 10th in the NFL in defensive DVOA and while the cornerback play has been inconsistent, Patrick Surtain II has flashed elite play early in his rookie season. The front seven is also electric as Miller, Malik Reed, Shelby Harris, Dre’Mont Jones, and Alexander Johnson have helped the team continue elite play with Bradley Chubb and Josey Jewell injured. The defense is loaded with talent and is one of the very best in the NFL.
Denver Broncos Depth Chart
QB: Teddy Bridgewater
RB1: Melvin Gordon
RB2: Javonte Williams
WR1: Courtland Sutton
WR2: Tim Patrick
WR3: Kendall Hinton
TE1: Noah Fant
TE2: Eric Saubert
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Daily Fantasy Picks
I’m projecting this to be a lower-scoring game, so it certainly isn’t my favorite matchup to target for fantasy value. I’d be willing to roll with Darren Waller if you’re looking to spend up at the tight end, but his upside is capped, and I’m not excited to play him in cash games. On the Denver side, Courtland Sutton stands out as the best play, but he may not succeed as much against Casey Hayward Jr. Noah Fant is a solid tight end play, as well.
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