Week 4 of the NFL season brings an essential AFC West battle when the Raiders host the Broncos on Sunday. Las Vegas swept the season sequence final yr, profitable 17-13 at dwelling and 34-24 on the street final yr. Total, the Raiders have received seven of the final 9 because the Denver franchise has gone by a tough patch. The Raiders have received six straight dwelling video games as effectively in opposition to their division rivals.
Associated: NFL Predictions for Each Sport in Week 4
Though not fairly an NFL Scorigami, the Broncos (2-1) escaped “Sunday Evening Soccer” with an odd 11-10 win over the 49ers. The competition featured two discipline targets, a security, and two touchdowns as Denver scored a TD with 4:10 left on the clock on their method to a victory. There’s not a single quantity that is not ugly from that contest, with each offenses scuffling, together with a 20-of-33 efficiency for 184 yards with no landing or interception from Russell Wilson.
Las Vegas (0-3) continues to be in search of its first victory of the season after falling 24-22 to the Titans. Derek Carr went 26-of-44 for 303 yards with two landing passes and one interception. The largest obvious statistic for the Raiders is that Davante Adams had simply 36 receiving yards on 5 receptions. Mack Hollins was the staff’s main receiver with eight catches for 158 yards and a landing. The protection could not get a cease when it mattered, although, and so they misplaced.
Denver (2-1) at Las Vegas (0-3)
Kickoff: Sunday, Oct. 2 at 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Dwell Stream: fuboTV (Begin your free trial)
Unfold: Raiders -2
Tickets: As little as $277 on SITickets.com*
Three Issues to Watch
1. Intangibles
It is a fast turnaround for the Broncos, who return dwelling after this one to host the Colts on “Thursday Evening Soccer.” Denver has seen the prime-time highlight twice already with a Week 1 Monday evening contest and final week’s Sunday evening affair. Divisional street video games at all times demand focus, so I do not see this being a foul scheduling spot for the street staff. The Raiders are the one 0-3 staff within the league, so focus should not be a lot of a difficulty regardless of the actual fact they’re on MNF subsequent week in Kansas Metropolis in opposition to the Chiefs. That is sarcastically part of a stretch of alternating street and residential video games until their Week 6 bye.
2. Purchaser’s regret?
When Denver acquired Wilson, there was discuss of a division championship or no less than a playoff spot within the Mile Excessive Metropolis. To date by three video games, there’s been a readjustment of expectations involving the previous Seattle signal-caller. Wilson has accomplished 59.4 p.c of his passes and has solely two touchdowns to 1 interception. He is been sacked 9 occasions and has been unimpressive general together with his new squad. He is going through a Raiders staff that has a extremely exploitable secondary that simply let Ryan Tannehill be extremely environment friendly final week. The unit has simply two interceptions and two sacks general, so each numbers have to enhance if the Raiders hope to get into the win column.
3. Test the muffler
Carr has been a blended bag to this point this season after a poor Week 1 efficiency in L.A. in opposition to the Chargers the place he force-fed Adams an excessive amount of and threw three interceptions in a loss. The subsequent two weeks, he threw 4 touchdowns to only one interception, however Adams had simply seven receptions whole for 48 yards. There needs to be a contented medium someplace in order that the No. 1 receiver can get fed usually however Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow (when wholesome) may also get the ball. Josh McDaniels was such an excellent offensive coordinator with the Patriots that it is a bit odd that the Raiders are struggling to scheme Adams open extra. Denver’s received robust corners in Pat Surtain II and Ronald Darby, so we’ll see what occurs Sunday.
Last Evaluation
Earlier than the season started, I mentioned that I did not suppose the Raiders can be that good this season. Their offense on paper appears to be like superb, however the video games aren’t performed on paper, and the opposite facet of the ball has quite a lot of points. All that thought of, I nonetheless suppose their first victory comes on Sunday. Denver has not impressed a lot confidence that Nathaniel Hackett was an excellent rent. Residence discipline is the distinction right here on this ugly contest.
Prediction: Raiders 20, Broncos 16
— Written by Matt Josephs, who is part of the Athlon Sports activities Contributor Community. Comply with him on Twitter @MidMajorMatt.
*Worth as of publication.