The battle for the AFC West gets a lot more interesting this week as the Denver Broncos take on the Oakland Raiders. It marks the first game of the season between AFC West teams.
The Broncos enter the division game a perfect 4-0. Last week, they defeated the Vikings 23-20 and finally got their run game going with 144 total rushing yards.
The Raiders are 2-2 and are coming off a narrow 22-20 loss to the Chicago Bears. The Raiders had taken the lead with two minutes remaining but lost as the Bears kicked a game winning field goal as time expired. Despite coming off a loss, the Raiders have looked like a different team than the ones Oakland has produced in recent years. Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Latavius Murray have ignited a previously stagnant offense.
According to OddsShark, the Broncos are favored by 4.5 points. The Broncos are 3-1 against the spread this season while the Raiders are 2-2.
The over/under for the game is set at 43.5. Something will have to give on Sunday as the total has gone over in six of the last seven games for Oakland while it has gone under in four of the last six Denver road games.
The OddsShark computer is projecting an upset with the Raiders winning at home 21.4 to 17.1. The computer is taking the points and going under on the point total.
I also side with the computer and see the Raiders getting it done at home. The Broncos have survived some close calls early in the season and the Raiders defense has the capacity to get after Peyton Manning.
Heavy’s Pick: Oakland Raiders 28, Denver Broncos 24. Raiders +4.5. Over the point total.
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Broncos vs. Raiders: Point Spread, Total & Prediction