Published Nov 4, 6:58pm ET by
Paul Lebowitz - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Nov 4, 6:58pm ET
Grok AI
Updated Nov 4, 7:15pm ET
|
|
|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | -9 (-110) |
| Las Vegas Raiders | +9 (-110) |
Las Vegas had reasonably high hopes before the season started with Tom Brady in the ownership group, Super Bowl winner Pete Carroll hired as the new head coach, 1st round draft pick Ashton Jeanty a hot prospect at running back, second-year All-Pro tight end Brock Bowers in place, and veteran QB Geno Smith coming aboard.
They beat the Patriots in Week 1, 20-13.
Since then, they have gone 1-6 with the sole victory being against the woeful Titans.
In Week 9, Carroll chose to go for the win in overtime after scoring a touchdown to get within 1 point against the Jaguars. Smith's pass was batted down to give Jacksonville the win.
RAIDERS FAIL 2-PT CONVERSION FOR THE WIN IN OT 😳
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 3, 2025
JAGUARS SURVIVE!
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/T2HDKlfVBn
At the Nov. 4 trade deadline, Las Vegas traded its top pass-catching wide receiver, Jakobi Meyers, to the Jags for a 4th-round pick and a 6th-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Despite failing on the 2-point attempt to win, Smith had one of his best games of the season. He completed 29 of 39 passes for 284 yards, 4 TDs, and 1 pick. Even if they decide Smith isn't the solution, backup Kenny Pickett is on his fourth franchise in four seasons. It makes little sense to play him instead.
Jeanty has been a disappointment, not based on the draft hype. He's been a disappointment in general.
Las Vegas is in the bottom third of the league in every team-centric category. Denver is precisely the type of team that capitalizes on its opponents' mistakes.
The Raiders decided to hold onto star defensive end Maxx Crosby rather than trade him. The question is how hard they're going to play for the rest of the season. That could determine Carroll's fate.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Thomas Booker, DE | INJURED |
| Brock Bowers, TE | INJURED |
| Lonnnie Johnson Jr., CB | INJURED |
| Aidan O'Connell, QB | INJURED |
| Isaiah Pola-Mao, S | INJURED |
The Broncos have won six straight to improve their record to 7-2 and are in 1st place in the tough AFC West.
Against the Texans in Week 9, they ground out an 18-15 comeback win on the road. QB Bo Nix had a tough time against Houston's rough and tumble defense, completing 18 of 37 passes for 173 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 interception.
Again, just as he did two weeks earlier in the 4th quarter comeback against the Giants, he was money when it counted, leading the Broncos to two scores in the final 12:28 to eek out the win.
Head coach Sean Payton has the team rolling.
Sean Payton to @wil_lutz5 before his game-winning field goal: "Right through" 😤 @Broncos pic.twitter.com/cxdZ4cIkXV
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2025
Denver relies on its defense, a strong rushing attack, and clutch throws from Nix. The one area they need to improve is their takeaway differential, 17th in the NFL at -3.
Running back J.K. Dobbins is having a potential All-Pro season, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. The Broncos spread the ball around with Courtland Sutton leading the way with 38 catches.
They will likely be without star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, who has a pectoral injury.
| PLAYER | STATUS |
|---|---|
| Patrick Surtain II, CB | INJURED |
| Marvin Mims Jr., WR | INJURED |
| P.J. Locke, S | INJURED |
| Nate Adkins, TE | INJURED |
| Jonathon Cooper, LB | INJURED |
| Brandon Jones, S | INJURED |
Week 10 Raiders-Broncos is a must-win for Denver as they prepare to host the Chiefs in Week 11.
The Raiders need to determine a path forward with a head coach, Carroll, who will be 75 at the start of the 2026 season, and a QB in Smith, who will not be their starter a year from now. They just traded their best receiver for late-round draft picks. It's not out of the realm of possibility that Crosby quietly asks to be moved after the season.
Then there's Brady, who, in his post-career life, has bounced from endeavor to endeavor seemingly not knowing what he wants to do, nor how to replace that irreplaceable feeling of running out on the field every Sunday, battling and competing and winning.
Is he in this for the long haul?
Denver will win this game easily, smothering the Raiders' offense and getting to 8-2 as they prepare for the showdown with Kansas City.
|
Pick
Denver Broncos -9
|
New Player Bonus
50% up to $1000
|
