Broncos To Remain Unbeaten On Home Soil Against Oakland

The Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders face off at Mile High Stadium in an early-season AFC West clash.

The contest could have ramifications for the playoffs as the two teams’ battle for control of the division along with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Vance Joseph has made a bright start to his tenure as Broncos’ head coach. The club won their opening two games of the season, featuring an impressive win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Their victory proved that they have a talented roster and a capable quarterback in Trevor Siemian. However, their first match on the road proved there’s still a long road ahead.

Siemian struggled while the defense failed to make enough plays in their defeat to the Buffalo Bills.

The Raiders produced a fine performance on the road against the Tennessee Titans in their opener. Jack del Rio’s men controlled the contest against a potential playoff opponent to secure a comfortable victory.

Oakland then brushed aside the New York Jets with ease in their first home match, scoring 45 points. However, the Raiders failed to turn up against the Washington Redskins last time out, dropping to a humbling defeat at FedEx Field.

Del Rio now has the challenge of firing his players up to respond in one of the toughest environments in the NFL. Joseph will be determined to continue his strong start to the season on home soil. Therefore the contest should be enthralling to say the least.

We’ll now break down both sides and the betting odds for the match in Denver.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos survived by the skin of their teeth on the opening day against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, they were truly dominant against the Cowboys in their second home match. Joseph will be determined to channel that performance against the Raiders on Sunday.

Denver were able to stifle the potent running game of Dallas in their win two weeks ago. That forced the contest into the hands of Dak Prescott and he was unable to pass downfield against the Broncos’ secondary.

Tyrod Taylor and the Bills were able to conquer Joseph’s men, putting 26 points on the board. Taylor completed 20 of his 26 passes to drive his side to victory. The Broncos cannot afford to allow Derek Carr to have the same level of success at Mile High on Sunday.

The Broncos match up well with the Raiders and their ability to move the ball downfield. With Chris Harris and Aqib Talib in the secondary they should be able to remove Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper from the contest, forcing Carr to look elsewhere.

Perhaps the biggest battle will be between the Raiders’ offensive line and Denver’s defensive line. Oakland have built arguably the best line in football, while the Broncos have been stout against the run early in the campaign. If Marshawn Lynch can find space in the running game where Elliot and LeSean McCoy did not – Del Rio’s men may be on the road to victory.

It will be up to Von Miller and Derek Wolfe to stop their progress along with generating pressure on Carr in the passing game. If Miller can have one of his unstoppable games it could be enough to swing the balance of power into Denver’s favour.

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders had a match to forget against the Redskins last week. From start-to-finish they made careless mistakes on both sides of the ball, allowing Kirk Cousins to take them apart. Del Rio would have been furious with his side after they made a bright start to the season.

They now face the prospect of dropping to 2-2 which puts them under pressure in the playoff picture in the AFC. The Chiefs and the New England Patriots will not drop many matches this term. Therefore to get a bye in the post-season the Raiders cannot afford another early-season loss.

Their defense holds the key to their success in this match-up. Khalil Mack has destroyed the Broncos in recent matches, including a five-sack performance in the 2015 campaign. The 26-year-old has made a steady start to the season, but will be eyeing his breakout for the term against Denver.

When given time Siemian has proven to be a capable passer. Oakland cannot afford to have him dissect their suspect secondary the same way Cousins did last week. Mack along with Bruce Irvin have to be a constant presence in the backfield to disrupt Denver’s offense.

On the other side of the ball, Carr has been fairly solid against the Broncos during his career. In his last two outings against his side’s rivals he had made enough throws to win the contest. Del Rio and his staff need to ensure that the quarterback plays a safe game devoid of turnovers.

Carr and Lynch need to be a rhythm to make positive plays to keep the chains moving. That is how Taylor and the Bills found success last week. Should they tire the defense and take the yards given to them – it could be the recipe for a road win.

Betting Options

This match has the all the hallmarks of a classic, despite being in the early stages of the season. Both teams will be desperate to bounce back following defeats in week three. Neither can afford to drop a second game at this point in the campaign, although there will be more pressure on Denver given they’re the home side.

Should the Broncos reproduce an effort similar to that of their performance against Dallas – Joseph’s men should walk away with the victory. They have to stop Lynch on the ground for that to become a possibility, forcing Carr into long passes on third down. They have the talent on the defensive to halt Lynch and the ability in the secondary to shut down Oakland’s receivers down the field.

As a result, back Denver with Bovada sportsbook at odds of 1.63Bet €100 to win €16363/100Bet £100 to win £163-159Bet $100 to win $1630.63Bet HK$100 to win HK$163-1.59Bet Rp100 to win Rp1630.6300Bet RM100 to win RM163  to secure their third win of the season and claim a vital win in the AFC West. However, do not expect the margin of victory to be great – therefore take the points with the Raiders at +2 at odds of 2.25Bet €100 to win €2255/4Bet £100 to win £225+125Bet $100 to win $2251.25Bet HK$100 to win HK$2251.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp225-0.8000Bet RM100 to win RM225  with Winner Sports.

CJ Anderson has had a good start to the season, forming a good partnership with Jamaal Charles in the Broncos’ backfield.

Charles has had success against the Raiders in the past during his time with the Chiefs. It would be fitting if he was to score a breakout touchdown run against Oakland – so back him anytime at odds of 3.50Bet €100 to win €3505/2Bet £100 to win £350+250Bet $100 to win $3502.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$3502.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp350-0.4000Bet RM100 to win RM350  with SkyBet.

For the Broncos to triumph they’ll need to hold Oakland’s offense in check. Take the under on Carr and company to score fewer than 19 points at 2.50Bet €100 to win €2503/2Bet £100 to win £250+150Bet $100 to win $2501.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$2501.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp250-0.6667Bet RM100 to win RM250  with Ladbrokes.

Tips Summary

Denver Broncos To Beat Oakland Raiders
Sunday 1^st October 2017 16:25 ET (21:25 BST)
Odds: 1.63Bet €100 to win €16363/100Bet £100 to win £163-159Bet $100 to win $1630.63Bet HK$100 to win HK$163-1.59Bet Rp100 to win Rp1630.6300Bet RM100 to win RM163

Take Oakland Raiders +2 Against Denver Broncos
Sunday 1^st October 2017 16:25 ET (21:25 BST)
Odds: 2.25Bet €100 to win €2255/4Bet £100 to win £225+125Bet $100 to win $2251.25Bet HK$100 to win HK$2251.25Bet Rp100 to win Rp225-0.8000Bet RM100 to win RM225

Jamaal Charles To Score Touchdown Anytime
Sunday 1^st October 2017 16:25 ET (21:25 BST)
Odds: 3.50Bet €100 to win €3505/2Bet £100 to win £350+250Bet $100 to win $3502.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$3502.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp350-0.4000Bet RM100 to win RM350

Oakland Raiders To Score Under 19 Points
Sunday 1^st October 2017 16:25 ET (21:25 BST)
Odds: 2.50Bet €100 to win €2503/2Bet £100 to win £250+150Bet $100 to win $2501.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$2501.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp250-0.6667Bet RM100 to win RM250