Broncos Hosting Raiders in Week 1: Moneyline, Spread, Total, and Storylines

Kicking-off the 2023-24 NFL season, Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos will host one of their most bitter rivals: Davante Adams and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Broncos Country has had a tough time with Raider Nation in recent years, losing six straight games to the Silver and Black. This year, though, Denver will be beginning a new era under head coach Sean Payton.

All NFL Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

Raiders vs. Broncos Week 1: Moneyline, Spread, and Total

• Moneyline:
  • Raiders: +150
  • Broncos: -178
• Spread: Broncos -3.5 (-110)
• Total: 45.0

Raiders vs. Broncos: Super Bowl Odds and Win Totals

According to the Super Bowl odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, the Raiders (+6000) are tied for the fourth-longest odds to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this coming campaign. For the Broncos, their odds are +4500 to win the next Super Bowl; that leaves Denver in a three-way tie for the 18th-shortest odds.

The Raiders have a win total of 6.5, with the pricing set at -122 for the over. The Broncos' win total sits at 8.5, with the price set at -132 for the under.

Raiders vs. Broncos Week 1: Storylines to Follow

• Raiders
  • Who will start at signal-caller in Week 1?
    • After electing to cut ties with franchise-leading passer Derek Carr, Raider Nation was hoping to turn to Jimmy Garoppolo. Transparently, Carr and Garoppolo don't seem far apart in terms of talent, but Jimmy G. does have significant postseason experience, which is an element Carr does not boast. Jimmy G is also very familiar with Vegas coach Josh McDaniels. Be that as it may, there has been growing concern surrounding a foot procedure Garoppolo had after inking his deal with the Raiders. Should Vegas choose to cut ties with him before the season begins on grounds of a failed physical, the other quarterbacks on the roster are Brian Hoyer, Chase Garbers and Aidan O'Connell. Regardless, whoever starts at QB in Week 1 will have a bevy of weapons to use in Adams, Josh Jacobs , Hunter Renfrow and recent second-round pick Michael Mayer.
  • Can Vegas' defense contend with the offensive talent in the AFC West?
    • Considering the Raiders suffered 9 of their 11 losses by a single score, they made a concerted effort to address their defense through the 2023 NFL Draft. With the seventh-overall selection, Las Vegas took dynamic edge rusher Tyree Wilson. Alongside "Mad" Maxx Crosby, the pair should apply havoc in an effort to increase Vegas' turnover rate. The Raiders intercepted only six passes last year, which was tied for last in the NFL. One of the best ways to boost that number is to get after the opposing quarterback with relentless pressure. Considering the division that Las Vegas plays in (dealing with Wilson, Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice each year), they would be wise to put an emphasis on making quarterbacks uncomfortable.
• Broncos
  • Will Sean Payton help Russell Wilson?
    • Russell Wilson is coming off his worst NFL season to date. For a quarterback who possesses the deadly combination of ability to extend plays and precise deep-ball accuracy, he looked quite lost in Denver. In Nathaniel Hackett's lone year as head coach, Wilson set career-low marks in both completion percentage (60.5) and touchdowns thrown (16). The Broncos will be led by Sean Payton going forward. He is undoubtedly one of the most productive passing masterminds of the modern era. Additionally, Denver does have some receiving talent on the outside, which brings me to my next point ...
  • Sutton and Jeudy must level-up
    • The Broncos have a very formidable receiving tandem in Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy. Even in a poor season for Denver's offense, Jeudy and Sutton both caught more than 60 passes. Still, each of them fell short of the 1,000-yard mark. Given the physical frame and route-running abilities of both wideouts, you'd like to see at least one of the two cross over that threshold. In 2023, Jeudy and Sutton will have a chance to do just that if Payton can get Wilson back on track.

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