Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Russell Wilson, Broncos Improve?
We have another divisional matchup on Sunday, with the Denver Broncos taking on the Las Vegas Raiders. Can Russell Wilson and the Broncos improve after their disastrous season last year? Matthew MacKay answers.
Matt MacKay - September 10, 2023, 11:10 AM EDT
5 minLas Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Russell Wilson, Broncos Improve?
The NFL is giving us another exciting divisional matchup to kick off Week 1 with the Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders. These two AFC West rivals have experienced a lopsided outcome for the past five head-to-head matchups, with the Raiders winning five straight games outright.
Sean Payton came out of his brief broadcasting career to help coach Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson back into old form as we all watched Denver's QB1 nosedive in 2022. Injuries throughout the team didn't help, including less than a year under former Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett, whom Payton replaced this offseason. Meanwhile, the Raiders have more continuity established on the field in the second year of head coach Josh McDaniels, who just got star running back Josh Jacobs back into the facilities after inking a one-year, $12 million contract.
Denver had high aspirations that it failed to meet in 2022, so expect the Broncos to have a chip on their shoulder, with Payton and Wilson attempting to resurrect these ambitious expectations in 2023. The Raiders signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, which has been largely omitted from media discussions and debates. Davante Adams continues to be an All-Pro caliber wideout, while Jacobs' return as the focal point of the Raiders' offense will help counter the stingy defense we've seen from Denver in recent years.
NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is back with his latest analysis on this AFC West game, offering his prediction and best bet to wager during Sunday's late afternoon window featuring the Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders vs. Broncos Start Time, Where To Watch, Odds
- Date: Sunday, September 10
- Game Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Click here for Broncos vs. Raiders odds
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Injury Report
Broncos
Questionable: TE Chris Manhertz (Chest), TE Greg Dulcich (Personal), WR Jerry Jeudy (Hamstring)
Out: N/A
Raiders
Questionable: DE Chandler Jones (Personal)
Out: N/A
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Prediction
Divisional games are always an entertaining matchup to watch in the NFL, especially when it's two storied franchises like the Broncos and Raiders. Wilson's redemption tour, going up against Garoppolo's savvy veteran presence with a couple of elite skilled players, creates great narratives and even better football on the field.
Payton will likely return to a run-centric scheme to open up passing lanes for Wilson, who is playing behind a bad offensive line while gaining second-round rookie wideout Marvin Mims in the passing attack. Javonte Williams' accelerated recovery from a two-ligament ACL tear could take some weight off of Wilson's arm and decision-making, especially against the Raiders, who ranked 26th in points allowed per game, surrendering 24.6 on average in 2022.
Conversely, the Broncos had a stingy defense, especially in its secondary, led by cornerback Pat Surtain II. Garoppolo is experienced and has Adams and Jacobs to turn to, along with rookie tight end Michael Mayer, in addition to wideout Jakobi Meyers, who reunites with Josh McDaniels. The Raiders averaged 23.2 points per game with Derek Carr in 2022, which was 12th-highest in the league, so inserting Garoppolo's quality decision-making skills into a talented offense could make Las Vegas a top-ten scoring unit in 2023.
The Raiders have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 games against the Broncos, including six straight outright wins, so that leaves us with +154 odds on the Raiders' moneyline at FanDuel while seizing +4 on their spread at -110 odds. It's Week 1, and upsets abound, so technically, taking the Raiders' moneyline is considered an upset. They have more rapport with each other, especially with Garoppolo previously playing under McDaniels' offensive scheme in New England.
Let's have some fun and put a unit on the Raiders' moneyline at +154 odds, as Wilson could struggle early on in Payton's new system.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Pick
- Pick: Las Vegas Raiders Moneyline +154 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
NFL Odds
