Many observers saw the AFC West as the most competitive division in the NFL coming into the 2022 season. With Derek Carr and Russell Wilson at quarterback, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Denver Broncos were supposed to join the gunslinging Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs to make each divisional game exciting. Las Vegas was also debuting Josh McDaniels, Bill Belichick’s longtime offensive coordinator, at head coach. However, for the Raiders, things have fallen apart. Their record is 2-7, and while six of those losses are within one score, those margins hide such embarrassments as an utter collapse against Arizona, turning a multiple-score lead into an overtime loss, as well as last week’s home debacle against Indianapolis, a team that had an interim head coach with zero coaching an experience, an offensive coordinator who had never called a game, and an aging, immobile quarterback (Matt Ryan) who somehow found the space for a 38-yard scramble. Next up is a trip to Denver, where the Broncos are looking forward to the chance to avenge a Week 4 loss in Las Vegas. Let’s break down this AFC West matchup as you plan your NFL betting for the weekend.
NFL Preview: Las Vegas Raiders at Denver Broncos
(Sunday, November 20)
When: Sunday, November 20, 2022, 4:05 pm ET
Where: Mile High Stadium, Denver
TV: FOX
Radio: KRLV 920 AM Las Vegas / KOA 850 AM Denver
Live Stream: Sling TV
NFL Odds: Denver -3 / O/U 41.5 // Denver -155 / Las Vegas +130
Why should you bet on the Raiders?
The road has not been a friendly place to the Raiders, who are 0-5 away from Allegiant Stadium. Derek Carr has decent numbers (2,128 yards, 14 TD, 5 INT), and Davante Adams has combined with Mack Hollins for 1,200 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. On the ground, Josh Jacobs has been very productive, with 821 yards and seven touchdowns. The defense has been a problem, allowing 25.1 points and 376.1 yards per contest. Maxx Crosby has terrorized opposing quarterbacks, though, totaling seven sacks.
The real problem has been the timing of the numbers, though. Las Vegas has waited to get the offense going until they face deficits too big to catch up from in too many games. This is why they have covered just once in their last six road games and just three times in their last 10 games overall. However, against Denver, the Raiders have covered in nine of their last 10 meetings. If you like the Raiders, you see them taking advantage of this trend, but this is a difficult case to make.
Why should you put your money on the Broncos?
Denver is just a game ahead of the Raiders, with a 3-6 record. They started the season 2-1 but have dropped five of six (with two of those losses coming in overtime). They came out of their bye last week to face Nashville but lost, 17-10. At home, they have split their last four games, but the malaise under Russell Wilson on offense is real. He has only thrown seven touchdown passes while throwing five interceptions, completing just 57.4% of his passes. Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton have combined for 982 receiving yards and four of those scores. The ground game is picking up 103.6 yards per game, but no one tailback has dominated, as Javonte Williams is the top rusher with 287 yards.
Denver has covered in just four of their last 13 games overall, but the home team has covered in four of the last five games featuring these two teams. The problem with taking Denver is how limited their offense has been. The Raiders’ defense has not been stellar by any means, but they did beat Denver by nine in their last meeting.
Final Score and Prediction
With these two teams playing inconsistent ball, it’s hard to commit to either side of the point spread. Over their last 67 games, Denver has seen the “under” pay off 45 times, but the teams combined for 55 points in Las Vegas earlier this year. The weather forecast for Sunday in Denver is sunny and 47 degrees for the high, so offense shouldn’t have any factors slowing them down. Even so, with both teams struggling to score, I’m more about the “under” here. I predict a final score of Denver 20, Las Vegas 16.
NFL Betting Odds
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