While the Denver Broncos are riding a six-game win streak into Week 10, the Las Vegas Raiders just lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in overtime. The 7-2 Broncos meet the 2-6 Raiders on “Thursday Night Football” this week. Currently atop the AFC West, Denver is the No.3 seed in the AFC Conference, while the Raiders are struggling. It’s opposites attracting.
Denver Broncos Are Projected To Beat the Raiders
Denver survived their trap game in Week 9 vs. the Houston Texans. The football cognoscenti doesn’t believe the Raiders are the same type of matchup. On Tuesday, CBS Sports’ John Breech published his weekly picks and predictions piece. In it, he has the Broncos defeating the Raiders 24-17. A win puts the Broncos a game and a half ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers until their Week 10 result is determined.
Speaking of the Chargers, Los Angeles plays the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 10.
“Although the Steelers have been bad in prime time, I can’t base my entire pick on that. This game is all going to come down to which Steelers defense shows up on Sunday. In Week 9, the Steelers pulled off an upset over the Colts by forcing six turnovers. That’s the good Steelers defense. But let’s not forget about Week 7 when Joe Flacco threw for 900 yards against them in a 33-31 Pittsburgh loss. That’s the bad Steelers defense,” Breech wrote.
The Chargers’ Week 10 result is huge for the Broncos. Denver plays the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11, although the Broncos held the Chiefs to under 17 in their first matchup last season.
For reference, the Broncos played their backups in their second matchup against the Chiefs. A loss to the Chiefs in Week 11, followed by consecutive Chargers wins in the next two weeks, knocks the Broncos out of first place in the AFC West. The Chargers beat the Broncos earlier this season.
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For now, though, the Broncos are expected to beat the Raiders. Denver may be waiting to pounce before the trade deadline as well. CBS Sports’ Jonathon Jones wrote to watch out for head coach Sean Payton’s fireworks. A pass catcher for the Broncos would not be a bad plus one for Thanksgiving. The Broncos are No. 15 in PFSN’s Offense Impact Score, while No. 1 in PFSN’s Defense Impact Score.