The Raiders and Broncos are both still alive in the playoff hunt, making Sunday's AFC West showdown in Las Vegas a crucial game for both teams.
The Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders are both sitting at 7-7 as we enter Week 16. In most seasons, a .500 record at this point of the year would likely not have a team in the running for the playoffs but this season, the bottom of the AFC has been weak.
The Buffalo Bills are currently occupying the last playoff spot in the AFC at 8-6 but they have to face the New England Patriots (9-5) this week. That means the winner of the Broncos-Raiders has an opportunity to move up. Which of these teams is the best bet in this showdown?
This game opened as a pick’em on the NFL odds, with a total of 41.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Under has been a great bet in Broncos games this season as its cashed in seven of their last eight. On the other hand, the Broncos don’t fare well as a dog or on the road. They have lost five of seven as a dog and three of their last four away games.
As for the Raiders, they’ve lost five of seven overall and three straight at home. However, they are 15-6 in their last 21 as a home favourite.
Denver Broncos
The key storyline for the Broncos is going to be the quarterback position as starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is out this week. He suffered a scary concussion injury last week and will not be able to play in this game. That leaves Drew Lock under centre. Lock and Bridgewater are complete opposites as Bridgewater is conservative, doesn’t make mistakes and simply makes the smart plays. However, he doesn’t make very many explosive throws. On the other hand, Lock does have a big arm and can get the ball to all of the Broncos weapons, but he can’t stop coughing up turnovers. Bridgewater has seven interceptions in 426 pass attempts this season; Lock has two (and a fumble) in 40.
The good news for Lock, is the Raiders’ pass defence is in the middle of the pack in most metrics – including 23rd in terms of sacks and 20th in interceptions. It wouldn’t be surprising if Lock had a good game here as he’s not facing an overly challenging defence.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders started the season 5-2 but have been a fading commodity ever since. They are just 2-5 in their last seven games and one of those wins came against a COVID-ravaged Cleveland Browns squad on Monday. Even in that game, the Raiders needed a last-second, game-winning field goal to overcome a Browns squad that was missing a ton of regulars.
A big challenge for the Raiders will be moving the ball against a quality Broncos defence. They rank second overall in points allowed per game at 17.4 and have been even better as of late, allowing just 15.7 over their last three. That means we’re probably looking at a low-scoring game, which the Raiders have not fared well in. The Raiders have just one win on the season when scoring less than 26 points and that came against Cleveland on Monday.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Broncos vs. Raiders?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 21 Dec 8:27pm | DEN | -1 -110 | O +41.5 -110 |
Closing 26 Dec 9:10pm | DEN | -1 -113 | O +41.5 -116 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Broncos Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
918 |
Passing |
3052 |
Receiving |
68 |
Sacks |
6 |
Interceptions |
5 |
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
872 |
Passing |
4804 |
Receiving |
103 |
Sacks |
10 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
83 |
Passing |
310 |
Receiving |
8 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Raiders Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
918 |
Passing |
3052 |
Receiving |
68 |
Sacks |
6 |
Interceptions |
5 |
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
872 |
Passing |
4804 |
Receiving |
103 |
Sacks |
10 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
83 |
Passing |
310 |
Receiving |
8 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
Weather

temp | 56 |
condition | sunny |
wind | South 14mph |
Injuries
Bobby Massie (T)
Nate Hairston (CB)
Noah Fant (TE)
Melvin Gordon III (RB)
Shelby Harris (DE)
Kareem Jackson (S)
Shamar Stephen (DL)
Pat Surtain II (CB)
Javonte Williams (RB)
Drew Lock (QB)
Quinton Jefferson (DT)
Kendal Vickers (DL)
Johnathan Hankins (DT)
Josh Jacobs (RB)
Andre James (C)
Foster Moreau (TE)
Hunter Renfrow (WR)
Darren Waller (TE)
Divine Deablo (LB)
Trevon Moehrig (S)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bobby Massie (T) | Out Sat | Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Massie will not suit up against the Chiefs on Saturday due to a concussion. |
|||||
Nate Hairston (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Hairston has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action. |
|||||
Noah Fant (TE) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Fant is tending to a quadricep injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Chiefs. |
|||||
Melvin Gordon III (RB) | Prob Sat | Hip - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Gordon III is hampered by a hip injury, but it is likely that he will face the Chiefs on Saturday. |
|||||
Shelby Harris (DE) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Harris is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Saturday's tilt against the Chiefs. |
|||||
Kareem Jackson (S) | I-R | Back - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Jackson has been ticketed for the injured reserve list due to a back and shoulder injury. |
|||||
Shamar Stephen (DL) | Prob Sat | Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Stephen is dealing with a quadricep injury, but it is projected that he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
Pat Surtain II (CB) | Out indefinitely | Calf - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Surtain II has been placed on the injured reserve list with a calf injury, and a date for his return is unclear. |
|||||
Javonte Williams (RB) | Prob Sat | Knee - 04 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Williams is managing a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field Saturday versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
Drew Lock (QB) | Prob Sat | Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Lock is expected to partake in Saturday's game against the Chiefs despite a shoulder injury. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quinton Jefferson (DT) | Ques Sat | Foot - 13 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Jefferson is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will play in the AFC wild-card game versus the Bengals. |
|||||
Kendal Vickers (DL) | Ques Sat | Back - 13 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Vickers has a back injury, and it is undecided if he will line up against the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game. |
|||||
Johnathan Hankins (DT) | Ques Sat | Back - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Hankins has injuries to his back and knee, and it is unknown if he will face the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game. |
|||||
Josh Jacobs (RB) | Prob Sat | Ribs - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Jacobs is nursing a rib injury, but it is projected that he will play against the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game. |
|||||
Andre James (C) | Prob Sat | Foot - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
James is battling a foot ailment, but it is likely that he will line up for the AFC wild-card game against the Bengals. |
|||||
Foster Moreau (TE) | Prob Sat | Abdominal - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Moreau has injuries to his abdomen and ankle, but it is anticipated that he will lace up against the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game. |
|||||
Hunter Renfrow (WR) | Prob Sat | Hip - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Renfrow is hampered by a hip issue, but it is likely to that he will dress for the AFC wild-card game against the Bengals. |
|||||
Darren Waller (TE) | Prob Sat | Knee - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Waller is expected to take on the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game despite a knee injury. |
|||||
Divine Deablo (LB) | Prob Sat | Shoulder - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Deablo is expected to take the field against the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game despite injuries to his shoulder and wrist. |
|||||
Trevon Moehrig (S) | Prob Sat | Shoulder - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Moehrig is tending to a shoulder issue, but it is likely that he will participate in the AFC wild-card game against the Bengals. |
-
DENVER BRONCOS
27 -
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
20
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 21 Dec 8:27pm DEN -1 -110 O +41.5 -110 Closing 26 Dec 9:10pm DEN -1 -113 O +41.5 -116 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Broncos Team Leaders
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 918
Passing 3052
Receiving 68
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 872
Passing 4804
Receiving 103
Sacks 10
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 1
Rushing 83
Passing 310
Receiving 8
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Raiders Team Leaders
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 918
Passing 3052
Receiving 68
Sacks 6
Interceptions 5
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 872
Passing 4804
Receiving 103
Sacks 10
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions Touchdowns 1
Rushing 83
Passing 310
Receiving 8
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
Weather
temp 56 condition sunny wind South 14mph -
Injuries
Bobby Massie (T)
Out Sat Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22Nate Hairston (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22Noah Fant (TE)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22Melvin Gordon III (RB)
Prob Sat Hip - 04 / 01 / 22Shelby Harris (DE)
Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22Kareem Jackson (S)
I-R Back - 04 / 01 / 22Shamar Stephen (DL)
Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22Pat Surtain II (CB)
Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 01 / 22Javonte Williams (RB)
Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 22Drew Lock (QB)
Prob Sat Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22Quinton Jefferson (DT)
Ques Sat Foot - 13 / 01 / 22Kendal Vickers (DL)
Ques Sat Back - 13 / 01 / 22Johnathan Hankins (DT)
Ques Sat Back - 11 / 01 / 22Josh Jacobs (RB)
Prob Sat Ribs - 11 / 01 / 22Andre James (C)
Prob Sat Foot - 11 / 01 / 22Foster Moreau (TE)
Prob Sat Abdominal - 11 / 01 / 22Hunter Renfrow (WR)
Prob Sat Hip - 11 / 01 / 22Darren Waller (TE)
Prob Sat Knee - 11 / 01 / 22Divine Deablo (LB)
Prob Sat Shoulder - 11 / 01 / 22Trevon Moehrig (S)
Prob Sat Shoulder - 11 / 01 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Bobby Massie (T) Out Sat Concussion - 08 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Massie will not suit up against the Chiefs on Saturday due to a concussion.
Nate Hairston (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Hairston has been added to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be decided when he will return to action.
Noah Fant (TE) Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Fant is tending to a quadricep injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Saturday's battle with the Chiefs.
Melvin Gordon III (RB) Prob Sat Hip - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Gordon III is hampered by a hip injury, but it is likely that he will face the Chiefs on Saturday.
Shelby Harris (DE) Ques Sat Ankle - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Harris is managing an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will partake in Saturday's tilt against the Chiefs.
Kareem Jackson (S) I-R Back - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Jackson has been ticketed for the injured reserve list due to a back and shoulder injury.
Shamar Stephen (DL) Prob Sat Quadricep - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Stephen is dealing with a quadricep injury, but it is projected that he will be in Saturday's lineup versus the Chiefs.
Pat Surtain II (CB) Out indefinitely Calf - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Surtain II has been placed on the injured reserve list with a calf injury, and a date for his return is unclear.
Javonte Williams (RB) Prob Sat Knee - 04 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Williams is managing a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will take the field Saturday versus the Chiefs.
Drew Lock (QB) Prob Sat Shoulder - 03 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Lock is expected to partake in Saturday's game against the Chiefs despite a shoulder injury.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Quinton Jefferson (DT) Ques Sat Foot - 13 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Jefferson is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will play in the AFC wild-card game versus the Bengals.
Kendal Vickers (DL) Ques Sat Back - 13 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Vickers has a back injury, and it is undecided if he will line up against the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game.
Johnathan Hankins (DT) Ques Sat Back - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Hankins has injuries to his back and knee, and it is unknown if he will face the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game.
Josh Jacobs (RB) Prob Sat Ribs - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Jacobs is nursing a rib injury, but it is projected that he will play against the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game.
Andre James (C) Prob Sat Foot - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - James is battling a foot ailment, but it is likely that he will line up for the AFC wild-card game against the Bengals.
Foster Moreau (TE) Prob Sat Abdominal - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Moreau has injuries to his abdomen and ankle, but it is anticipated that he will lace up against the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game.
Hunter Renfrow (WR) Prob Sat Hip - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Renfrow is hampered by a hip issue, but it is likely to that he will dress for the AFC wild-card game against the Bengals.
Darren Waller (TE) Prob Sat Knee - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Waller is expected to take on the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game despite a knee injury.
Divine Deablo (LB) Prob Sat Shoulder - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Deablo is expected to take the field against the Bengals in the AFC wild-card game despite injuries to his shoulder and wrist.
Trevon Moehrig (S) Prob Sat Shoulder - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 1-0 + - Moehrig is tending to a shoulder issue, but it is likely that he will participate in the AFC wild-card game against the Bengals.