NFL 2021 Season: Raiders vs Broncos Betting Analysis & Prediction

The Las Vegas Raiders are in the Mile High City in Week 6 to face off against the Denver Broncos in an AFC West matchup.

After dropping two games in a row, the Las Vegas Raiders are in Denver this Sunday to take on the Broncos, who have lost two in a row as well after a 3-0 start to the season. The Broncos enter this game as 3.5 point favorites, with the total set at 44.5. The kickoff is scheduled for 4:25 EST at Empower Field. You can watch the game on CBS or DAZN. Let’s take a closer look at both teams so you can get all set to bet against their NFL odds.

NFL Betting Preview for Las Vegas Raiders at Denver

Gruden Is Gone

Last week, the Jaguars were in the news for all the wrong reasons, and now it’s the Raiders who are facing major distractions. Jon Gruden is out as head coach after past emails came out revealing homophobic and misogynistic remarks. Rich Bisaccia will now be interim head coach, and it couldn’t come at a worse time as they’re in the midst of a two-game slide and have to get ready for a divisional opponent.

The Raiders played poorly on Monday night in Week 4 against the Chargers and only scored nine points at home against the Bears in their most recent game. Derek Carr has come back down to earth after a hot start to the year, and the Raiders rushing attack has only averaged 78.6 yards per game.

Defensively, Las Vegas has been surprisingly great against the pass but is still exploitable on the ground, allowing an average of 134.4 against the rush. The Raiders will have their hands full against a Broncos team that possesses a dynamic two-headed monster of Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams.

Broncos Win With Defense

Denver comes into this matchup with the third-best defense in terms of total yardage. Even with Pro Bowl outside linebacker Bradley Chubb recovering from ankle surgery, the Broncos are loaded with talent with names like Von Miller, Kareem Jackson, Justin Simmons, Bryce Callahan, and Patrick Surtain II.

Offensively, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is basically Alex Smith with the conservative approach. Bridgewater has yet to throw an interception on the season but isn’t an explosive quarterback who will make big plays down the field. It certainly doesn’t help when slot receiver Jerry Jeudy has yet to play a game as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain. The nifty route runner will be a massive key to the Broncos’ offensive success from now on, and his absence will be felt against strong teams as the season moves on.

Prediction

Denver had a late surge in the fourth quarter against Pittsburgh and nearly tied things up. Their offense started clicking and should mostly be looking to ground and pound with Gordon and Williams against a Raiders defense that hasn’t proved they can stop the rushing attack. Parlay that with all the news surrounding Jon Gruden’s resignation and the altitude in Denver and Las Vegas will be in for a rough one on Sunday.

The Pick: Denver Broncos -3.5

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