The Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders both looked like potential contenders in the AFC heading into the season but have underperformed dramatically thus far in 2017. The Broncos have lost six straight games while Oakland has also struggled of late and both seem destined to miss the playoffs unless there is a drastic shift down the stretch.
These two teams will face off in Week 12 of the regular season. The Raiders can stay alive in the wild card race with a victory while the Broncos would have to be nearly perfect down the stretch to have a chance at the postseason. Oakland has looked better this season and is playing at home so it will be favored in this matchup.
This contest in Week 12 of the regular season will go down Sunday, November 26, 2017, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Oakland Alameda Coliseum.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Denver Broncos +5
Oakland Raiders -5
Over/Under 43
Odds Analysis
The Raiders were blown out by the Patriots in their most recent game but the oddsmakers are expecting a bounce back. Oakland is the more common choice against the spread as more than 73 percent of the action thus far has chosen the Raiders to cover.
The scoring total is higher than expected considering Denver’s solid defense and its questionable offense. However, Oakland has the opposite strengths and weaknesses so the oddsmakers split the difference.
Injury Report
Shane Ray — The Broncos linebacker recorded his first sack of the season on Sunday against the Bengals before suffering injuries to his ankle and knee. The 24-year-old was sidelined for the first six weeks of the season with a torn ligament in his wrist. It’s unclear if he’ll be healthy enough to return against the Raiders.
Gareon Conley — The Raiders placed their rookie cornerback on injured reserve and Conley announced Monday that he will be undergoing surgery for a shin injury that has sidelined since September. Conley was chosen at No. 24 overall by Oakland in this year’s draft but only appeared in two games for the team this season before suffering the shin injury.
Player To Watch
Paxton Lynch —The Broncos are expected to start their 2016 first round pick Sunday against the Raiders. It will be Lynch’s first appearance in a regular season game since last December after a quarterback battle in the offseason and shoulder injury sidelined him.
The 23-year-old will be the third starter for the Broncos this season after Trevor Siemian struggled and Brock Osweiler followed suit. Now the young quarterback is tasked with trying to turn around a team that’s lost six straight.
Lynch has two career starts and appeared in three games last season for the Broncos. He was 49-of-83 for 497 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in his limited time as a rookie.
Free ATS Pick
The Raiders have the more established quarterback in Derek Carr but he has struggled this year. The defense has been an ever bigger problem, and defensive coordinator Ken Norton was fired this week. Oakland will aim to pick up a win to remain in the playoff hunt.
The Raiders should get it, but in a close one. This spread is an overreaction. The Broncos should show up defensively, but the offense will once again struggle Take the Broncos to cover this spread while they suffer another loss. The “under” is the call as Denver’s playmakers on defense should come up big.
The Raiders don’t have the same type of rhythm on offense they did a season ago and don’t figure to break out against a solid foe. This game is no longer a big one because of each team’s struggles but Oakland feels like it can still save the season. If that is to happen, a win here is essential.
NFL Odds: Raiders 17, Broncos 16
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