Broncos vs Raiders Picks, Predictions, and Betting Odds

• AFC West rivals clash in Week 16, as the Denver Broncos visit the Las Vegas Raiders as slender 1-point favorites
• Deadlocked at 7-7, both teams are desperate for wins to keep their fading playoff hopes alive
• Read on for Broncos vs Raiders odds and trends ahead of Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Allegiant Stadium

AFC West rivals battling to climb into the NFL playoff picture clash in Week 16, as the Las Vegas Raiders play host to the Denver Broncos as one-point home underdogs. The Raiders return home after claiming a narrow 16-14 victory in Cleveland on Monday that marks just their second win in seven outings.

Denver finds themselves deadlocked with the Raiders in the divisional basement. They dropped a 15-10 decision to the visiting Cincinnati Bengals.

Broncos vs Raiders Odds

*Odds taken at DraftKings on December 24, 2021.

Start time of Sunday afternoon’s contest is set for 4:25pm ET under the dome at Allegiant Stadium.

Broncos vs Raiders Line Movement

Sunday afternoon’s matchup marks the second and final scheduled meeting this season between these divisional rivals. The Broncos have made steady gains hanks to NFL Public money since opening as 1.5-point road underdogs.

However, Las Vegas is favored with -120 odds to cover as a 1-point home underdog.  The Raiders marched to a decisive 34-24 victory as 5-point underdogs when they visited Denver in Week 6, and have covered on seven occasions during a 6-2 run against the Broncos . That stretch includes a dominating 37-12 win over the Broncos in Las Vegas last season.

The Raiders have run up the score while winning three-straight against versus Denver, averaging 34.3 points per game. However, with the Broncos scoring 20 or fewer points in seven of their past nine head-to-head matchups, the under enjoys a steady 10-3 run.

Denver Broncos Outlook

The Broncos recent offensive struggles continued in last weekend’s loss to the Bengals. For the second time in three games, the Broncos failed to score a touchdown before halftime, and have now been limited to 17 or fewer points in five of their past eight contests. Those woes have extended to the road, where Denver has averaged just 18 points per game while losing three of  four.

https://twitter.com/FTB_Vids_YT/status/1472705551444312064?s=20

Things have been made no easier by the loss of the quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who is listed as doubtful after suffering a concussion in last Sunday’s loss. Drew Lock took over under center after Bridgewater was injured, and connected on one scoring pass that briefly gave Denver its only lead of the game.

Drew Lock, asked by @dmac1043 whether he thinks he has to prove anything when he starts Sunday in Las Vegas: pic.twitter.com/ZcRMGSaHeH

— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 22, 2021

With the Broncos currently sitting one game back of the final wild card in the AFC, Lock will need to show vast improvement on his disappointing performance as the team’s starter last season. The third-year pivot led Denver to defeat in each of his final three starts in 2020. He threw just three scores against two picks while getting sacked seven times.

Las Vegas Raiders Outlook

Like the Broncos, the Raiders are desperate for a win to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive. The team needed a field goal with no time left on the clock to eke out a win against the Browns on Monday.

Cleveland kept things close despite missing their head coach and several key players, including quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Raiders will once again enjoy the benefit of facing a backup quarterback, but must find a way to snap out of their current offensive funk on home turf.

ICYMI: Relive the final drive that lead to the game-sealing kick against the Browns 🙌 pic.twitter.com/AgT63ipKz4

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 21, 2021

The Raiders have been limited to 15 or fewer points in each of their defeats during a 1-4 SU run at Allegiant Stadium. In addition, the team has averaged just 13.3 points per game during their current 1-2 SU overall run. Derek Carr has taken a lot of heat for the team’s recent dismal performance, much of it warranted.

The Las Vegas quarterback has connected on just four scoring passes over the past five games. Carr has been picked off once in each of his past two outings.

"They're planning my future and everybody's future already… I don't think we're done yet"@derekcarrqb and the @Raiders keep fighting 💪 #RaiderNation @wyche89 pic.twitter.com/t5qwNMDZHr

— NFL GameDay (@NFLGameDay) December 21, 2021

A sputtering ground game has not provided any relief, with the Raiders generating just 72.7 rushing yards per game. They’ve also managed one total scoring run over their past three contests. It is tough seeing that trend turning around this weekend against a Broncos rush defense that has allowed just one scoring run over their past seven contests.

The Pick: Broncos -1 (+100); UNDER 40.5 (-110)