Broncos vs. Raiders How to Watch: TV, Odds, Streaming, Choose as Vegas Steps into the Post-Jon Gruden Era

The Las Vegas Raiders travel to Denver to play the first game of the post-era Jon Gruden, which will face Division rival Broncos in a hostile environment. The off-pitch developments regarding Gruden’s disgusting emails have been the biggest story in football this week, but the Raiders still have to go play a game – and it’s easy to see how that could be too much to deal with, or a welcome distraction from events over which the players themselves had no control.

Vegas comes into the game after losing back-to-back games after opening the season 3-0, while Denver does the same. Each at 3-2 and a game behind the division-leading Los Angeles Chargers, Raiders and Broncos must earn a Week 6 victory in order to keep pace in a division that seems more open than it is. ‘has been in recent years. , with the Kansas City Chiefs just 2-3 starts.

Before we break down the game, here’s how you can watch the game.

How to watch

Dated: Sunday October 17 | Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Site: Empower Field in Mile High (Denver, Colorado)
TV: CBS | Flux: Paramount + (Click here)
To follow: CBS Sports app
Chances: Broncos -3.5, O / U 44

Key matches

Derek Carr against Vic Fangio’s defense

Carr had a great start to the season, completing 88 of 136 passes (64.7%) for 1,203 yards (8.8 per attempt), six touchdowns and two interceptions as the Raiders beat the Ravens, Steelers and Dolphins to open the season. . In the past two weeks, things haven’t looked so good. Carr is just 43 of 69 (62.3%) for 402 yards (5.8 per attempt), two touchdowns and two picks.

Importantly, his sacking rate fell from 5.5% to 9.1%, an indication that the offensive line changes the Raiders have made this offseason aren’t holding up very well at the moment. Every year, one of the NFL’s least-used passer in recent years, Carr has faced a muddy pocket on an above-average share of his losses this season, according to Tru Media, and that rate has increased. these last weeks. Since they barely ran out of pressure on Daniel Jones in Week 1, the Broncos have been pressuring QBs more often than the league average, and should be able to beat Carr in this one.

It is therefore important for the Raiders to win their away clashes. Denver has a very good high school and ranks 13th in the Football Outsiders DVOA pass defense, but doesn’t have a cornerback as fast as Henry Ruggs. If the Raiders can keep Carr standing, there may be opportunities available on the pitch. Failing that, Carr will have to methodically work the ball down the field with underlying routes to Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow – which Fangio’s defense wants opponents to do anyway, betting they won’t stay long enough. patients to check over and over again without ultimately making a mistake.

Broncos OL vs Raiders speed up

Teddy Bridgewater has been under constant pressure this season, seeing defenders facing him on 39.9% of setbacks. He was able to overcome the rush and complete 33 of 52 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns (no more interceptions), but that’s not exactly in his character. Last year, for example, he had just 70 of 123 for 715 yards, one touchdown and seven picks in those situations.

The Raiders have one of the league’s most productive edge rushers this season at Maxx Crosby, who has two sacks, 13 quarterback hits and ranks third in the NFL for total pressures. He also ranks fifth in the NFL for the share of snapshots he’s pressured the quarterback (15.9%), so it’s not just about the volume of opportunities. He just beats the man in front of him with regularity. Yannick Ngakoue is also among the leaders, ranking 20th out of 103 qualifiers (over 100 quick passes).

Find a way to keep this duo (plus Carl Nassib, who has roughly the same pressure rating as Ngakoue but on a lot less shots) away from Bridgewater to give them enough time to find Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Noah Fant on the field is a primary concern for Denver in this game.

Prediction

The Raiders just aren’t playing very well right now and obviously have a lot to do outside of football. Maybe they get a bit of a fired coach rebound under Rich Bisaccia, but we’re betting against that here.

Pick: Broncos 23. Raiders 21