Denver lost their 6-th straight game last week 20-17 against Cincinnati. Oakland didn’t put up much fight in a 33-8 loss to New England in Mexico City last Sunday. The Broncos prevailed 16-10 in the Week 4 meeting.
The Broncos started the year 2-0 but in the 8 games since, they are averaging 14.6 ppg. They fired OC Mike McCoy this week and are making the move to QB Paxton Lynch for this game. He is the 3rd different starting QB for Denver in 2017 and neither of his predecessors was replaced due to injury. Lynch hasn’t done much to earn this opportunity and I think he will struggle despite facing a defense that has yet to intercept a pass and yields 253.2 ypg through the air. Much travelled OL Allen Barbre gets another start at RT but he’ll have a tough time containing DE Khalil Mack. WR Demaryius Thomas leads the team in receptions, yardage and TD catches but was held to one catch in the first matchup. The running game is averaging 113 ypg but hasn’t been the weapon the team had hoped for. Oakland’s run defense has been average on the year but the insertion of MLB NaVorro Bowman has helped.
Sign up at an online sportsbook with your credit card (high acceptance) or use your BITCOIN account! Bovada Sports Book. Best underdog lines too!
The Raiders offense struggled again last week despite talent throughout the lineup. QB David Carr has a 14-8 TD/INT ratio for the year, numbers not commensurate with his abilities. TE Jared Cook and WRs Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper all have 41+ receptions and 490+ of yardage. Denver’s pass defense has been decent in 2017 (197.7 ypg) but they have an unsightly 22-5 ratio of TD passes to picks. Carr should be able to make some plays against a defense that has lost some edge and consistent pass rush (22 sacks). RB Marshawn Lynch was held to 12 yards on 9 carries in the earlier game but has been better of late. After a slow start, he is now averaging 4.0 ypc and it would behoove Oakland to get him more involved. The Broncos run defense has been superb (3.0 ypc, 85.5 ypg) but Lynch and fellow back Jalen Richard need opportunities to make plays and to keep the defense honest.
Public Money Consensus
I don’t know if it’s the Broncos QB change to Paxton Lynch that’s driving the wagering or maybe it’s because they are unaware of that fact and it’s a fade of QB Brock Osweiler, whatever it is, the public is all in on Raiders with 73% of the spreads bets being placed on Oakland. As is the norm for the public, the OVER is taking the money with 57% of the total bets being wagered on that side of the O/U line.
