Washington Football Team vs Denver Broncos Matchup Preview (10/31/21): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Washington Football Team vs Denver Broncos Matchup Preview (10/31/21)

The fall from grace has been quick and unforgiving for the Denver Broncos organization this season. After starting 3-0, they find themselves in the midst of a 4 game losing streak with an uncertain quarterback situation and a coach on the hot seat. Meanwhile, the Washington Football team has quietly developed their own three game losing streak after consecutive double digit losses to the Saints, Chiefs, and Packers, respectively. With both teams in need of a statement win, one losing streak is bound to die in the mile high city this weekend. The Football team rolls into Denver 1-2 on the road this season and the Broncos come in an equal 1-2 at home. 

Washington Football Team vs Denver Broncos Betting Odds

Betting Trends

The Washington Football Team is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game
The Broncos are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game
The Washington Football Team is 1-4 ATS vs. a team with a losing record this year
Broncos are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games vs teams with a losing record
The Washington Football Team is 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight-up loss
The Washington Football Team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 head to head meetings

The Pick

We’re rolling with the Broncos in this one. As easy as it is to hate on Taylor Heinicke, credit where it’s due, he actually played one of his best games of the season last week — out gaining Aaron Rodgers by 72 yards and completing 68 percent of his passes. That said, the reality for this Washington Football Team is that they need to be able to run the ball to have a chance, and there’s nothing Denver does better right now than stop the run. The Broncos come into this game with the 9th best rushing defense to the Washington Football Team’s 13th ranked rushing offense. Neither team passes the ball particularly well, but the Football Team’s last place secondary is likely to give Teddy Bridgewater some opportunities he hasn’t seen all season. Layer in that Washington has to travel up to altitude and Vic Fangio is seemingly coaching for his job at the moment, and we love the Broncos that much more.

Expect this to be a low-scoring affair with most of the action happening between the 20s.

My Prediction: Broncos 23-19, Broncos cover -3

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, October 31
Time: 4:25 PM ET
Location: Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, CO
TV Coverage: FOX

Washington Football Team vs Denver Broncos Live Stream

Where can you watch Washington Football Team vs. Denver 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 Washington Football Team vs. Denver Broncos Free Online Now.

Injuries

Washington Football Team: CB William Jackson III (Knee) Q, G Brandon Scherff (Knee) Q, CB Daryl Roberts (Quadriceps) O, ILB Jon Bostic (Pectoral) O, TE Logan Thomas (Hamstring) O, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Hip) O
Denver Broncos: OLB Bradley Chubb (Ankle) O, WR KJ Hamler (Torn ACL) O, ILB Josey Jewell (Torn Pectoral) O, WR Jerry Jeudy (Ankle) Q, CB Michael Ojemudia (Hamstring) O, WR DaeSean Hamilton (Torn ACL) O

Washington Football Team Analysis

It’s no secret this Washington Football Team defense has been a disappointment all season. With much of the blame getting heaped on the front four for “not living up to the hype”, the true pitfall of this unit is its secondary. No team in the NFL gives up more passing yards per game than the Football Team. Only the Buccaneers and Rams have given up more completions, despite the fact that quarterbacks go downfield on this defense more than either the Bucs or the Rams.

The Washington passing offense, on the other hand, ranks 22nd in the league in yards per game and completion percentage. Taylor Heinicke has been a fine game manager as of late, but his ceiling is only so high. He may not be the problem with the Football Team organization right now, but he’s certainly not the solution in an increasingly quarterback driven league. Their inability to convert in the red zone has also been a major problem as of late. Last week they lost to the Packers despite out gaining them by over 130 yards — largely due to fumbles and failed fourth down conversions on the Packers side of the field. 

The Washington football team will need to sure up some of these miscues if they want to remain competitive this Sunday.

Washington Football Team Depth Chart

QB: Taylor Heinicke
RB1: Antonio Gibson
RB2: J.D. McKissic
WR1: Curtis Samuel
WR2: Terry McLaurin
WR3: Adam Humphries
TE1: Ricky Seals-Jones

Denver Broncos Analysis

The Broncos offense is so pressed for weapons right now that they’ve looked to rookie CB Patrick Surtain II to play some snaps at WR. With injuries to Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler, and DaeSean Hamilton, it would be hard for some of the league’s best quarterbacks to overcome the lack of speed on the field, much less Teddy Bridgewater.

The defense has actually been solid this season, ranking fourth in the NFL in points allowed at 16.8 a game. This hasn’t been enough to overcome the team’s offensive woes, however. Last week’s Thursday night game against the Cleveland Browns is a prime example. On a short week against a banged up Browns team, the Broncos lost despite only giving up 17 points as their offense was unable to score a third time. 

The elephant in the room at this point has become the continual average-to-below average quarterback play on an organizational level. Whether it be Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater, this roster is just too good right now to be wasted on mediocrity. For this reason, I wouldn’t be surprised if President of Football Operations John Elway and General Manager George Paton make a big move this offseason. 

Denver Broncos Depth Chart

QB: Teddy Bridgewater
RB1: Melvin Gordon III
RB2: Javonte Williams
RB3: Mike Boone
WR1: Courtland Sutton
WR2: Tim Patrick
TE1: Noah Fant

Washington Football Team vs Denver Broncos Daily Fantasy Picks

Cortland Sutton has been Teddy Bridgewater’s go-to all season long, and there will be no better game for him to put up some big numbers than this weekend against this Washington Football Team secondary. With not many other great options at receiver, expect Bridgewater to be looking for Sutton on big plays throughout the game. He is currently listed as $6,400 on DraftKings.