Denver (6-5) will face off against Las Vegas (2-8) this coming Sunday at 4:05 p.m. EST, airing on CBS. The Broncos enter the game as 6-point favorites according to BetMGM’s NFL odds. In terms of spread performance, the Broncos are 8-3 while the Raiders hold a 4-6 record. Historically, the Raiders lead the series with a record of 72-54-2. The last encounter took place on October 6, where the Broncos claimed a 34-18 victory in Denver. Last week, the Broncos achieved a convincing win against the Falcons with a score of 38-6, while the Raiders suffered a loss to the Dolphins, finishing at 34-19.
On offense, the Broncos are ranked 23rd overall, 20th in rushing, 25th in passing, and 20th in scoring. Conversely, their defense is much stronger, sitting at 3rd overall, 6th in rushing, 7th in passing, and 3rd in scoring. The Raiders have struggled offensively, currently ranked 30th overall, 32nd in rushing, 17th in passing, and 25th in scoring, with their defense ranked 15th overall, including 15th against the run, 11th against the pass, and 29th in scoring.
A focal point from the Broncos’ squad is quarterback Bo Nix, who has been receiving numerous accolades. After being named NFL’s Rookie of the Month in October, he followed up with the Rookie of the Week award, outperforming Patrick Mahomes during a recent road game. In last week’s game against the Falcons, Nix shone once again, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns on an impressive 28-of-33 passing.
For the Raiders, tight end Brock Bowers stands out as a key player despite the team’s struggles. Bowers has been a solid performer with 70 receptions for 706 yards and three touchdowns this season. His versatility allows him to be utilized in various positions, creating mismatches that are challenging for opposing defenses.
A critical matchup to watch will be between Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey and Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. While Crosby has not recorded a sack in the last three games, he retains a high number of quarterback pressures, totaling 35 this season. McGlinchey has been effective at limiting pressures, allowing only 7%.
In terms of injuries, the Broncos are monitoring guard Ben Powers, who sustained a shoulder injury last week. Safety Brandon Jones had also missed last week’s game due to an abdominal issue. Otherwise, the Broncos are in good shape as they approach the playoffs. On the Raiders’ front, running backs Alexander Mattison and Zamir White are both facing potential absences due to injuries, as are cornerbacks Nate Hobbs, Jack Jones, and Jakorian Bennett.
Notably, the Broncos recently ended an eight-game losing streak to the Raiders with their October victory. However, Denver has historically struggled in Las Vegas, having never won at Allegiant Stadium (0-4). Their most recent win over the Raiders on the road dates back to October 11, 2015, when they played in Oakland. The Raiders hold a home record of 39-25 against the Broncos.
In summary, the Broncos find themselves at 6-5 for the second year in a row, remembering a previous road slump that dashed their playoff hopes last season. Bo Nix is making history as a rookie with 14 touchdown passes, while wide receiver Courtland Sutton is on a streak of four consecutive games with at least 70 receiving yards. Meanwhile, the Raiders are in the midst of a six-game losing streak, facing mounting difficulties in several positions. As the game approaches, both teams will aim for crucial performances to secure a stronger position in the league.
Fantasy managers may want to consider the Broncos’ defense, which ranks within the top seven across several key categories and has allowed fewer than 20 points on seven occasions this season. In contrast, the Raiders have struggled to reach 20 points in seven games this year.