NFL Overreactions Week 9
USAT’s Prince Grimes breaks down the biggest storylines from NFL Week 9.
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The penthouse and the outhouse of the AFC West take centerstage in the Week 10 “Thursday Night Football” matchup when the Denver Broncos take on the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Broncos look to continue their ascent up the division ladder as they enter their matchup against the Raiders at the top of the West. Thanks to the Buffalo Bills taking care of business by downing the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9, the Broncos now have a little bit more breathing room at the top of the division.
The Raiders enter the matchup in the cellar of the AFC West in Pete Carroll’s first season at the helm, and it’s been an ugly 2-6 go of it in his first season. Geno Smith has thrown 11 interceptions, which is tied with Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa for the NFL lead. Smith and Tagovailoa are the only two passers with double-digit INTs, to boot.
Smith has been emblematic of a Raiders offense that has largely disappointed this season. First-round pick Ashton Jeanty still looks to find some semblance of consistency, while a returning Brock Bowers could steady the ship after a monster performance in Week 9.
That all makes for an uneven meeting of divisional foes entering Week 10. But stranger things have happened on “Thursday Night Football.”
USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the Week 10 “TNF” matchup below. All times are Eastern.
Vegas got another stop and forced Crawshaw’s third punt of the night. Fortunately for the Raiders, he is the guy they want to see right now. He managed another ugly boot, but managed to get 36 yards out of that punt. The rookie has negative style points through the first quarter-plus.
Denver was able to get to Geno Smith on third down, forcing another punt from AJ Cole. Bo Nix and the offense go back to work at their own 33.
The Raiders are the team that played an overtime game in Week 9, but they are off to a fast start in the Mile High City. They’ll take a 7-0 lead into the second quarter and look to overcome a Jack Bech holding penalty that wiped out a 32-yard run from Jeanty.
The Broncos might be 7-2, but they don’t look like it in the early going. Another three-and-out forces a second punt in as many drives from Jeremy Crawshaw. This punt is much better, however, and a penalty backed up the Raiders even further.
It’s a big drive upcoming for the Denver defense, since they’ve been on the field for almost the entire opening quarter.
The Raiders take advantage of the field position and jump out to the early lead courtesy of a Jeanty touchdown. It’s the rookie’s sixth touchdown of the season and, more importantly, gives the Raiders something to show for their dominant effort thus far.
Vegas has controlled the clock in the early going, controlling possession for nearly 10 of the game’s first 12 minutes. So far, the visitors don’t look like a team that many thought would be tired.
Raiders 7, Broncos 0
Backed up in their own end, Denver can’t muster up a first down after JK Dobbins was stuffed on third down. An ugly 30-yard punt gifts the Raiders excellent field position on their second drive.
Vegas showed an ability to move the ball on their first series, picking up a pair of first downs before Geno Smith was sacked. It was another tough series for Ashton Jeanty, who continues to find life difficult on the ground.
He finished with three carries for just eight yards. On the bright side, Smith completed all three pass attempts, so perhaps the offense can feel good after that start. It also helps that AJ Cole pinned Denver at their own two, making life increasingly difficult for Bo Nix and co.
The Broncos are rocking their 1977-inspired throwbacks on “Thursday Night Football.”
Better known as the “Orange Crush” uniforms, they are a fan favorite and look incredible under the bright lights of prime time football. There are no half measures for Denver either. They also included the throwback logo at midfield and painted the end zones to match.
What channel is Broncos vs. Raiders?TV channel (national): N/ATV channel (Las Vegas market): ABC 13TV channel (Denver market): ABC 7
The Week 10 matchup between the Broncos and Raiders will not air on cable, as it’s a streaming-only event. Viewers in the Denver market can tune to ABC 7, while those in Las Vegas can tune to ABC 13.
What time is Broncos vs. Raiders game tonight?Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET | 5:15 p.m. PT
The Broncos and Raiders will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET, the customary start time for “TNF.” The Raiders travel to Empower Field at Mile High Stadium for the matchup.
Broncos vs. Raiders live stream
A national viewing audience will need to turn to Amazon Prime Video for the matchup, the home of “Thursday Night Football.” Al Michaels will be on the call, flanked by Kirk Herbstreit. Kaylee Hartung will provide updates from the sideline.
In-market viewers can turn to Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Watch “Thursday Night Football” with a Prime Video subscription
Broncos vs. Raiders prediction
The Broncos are flying a mile high right now: Entering Thursday night on a six-game winning streak has put Denver at the top of the division. While Sean Payton has fostered a reputation for his dominating offenses, the defense has led the way this season, which should give Geno Smith and his league-leading 11 interceptions fits on Thursday night. Logic says the Broncos the win at home in a rout.
Prediction: Broncos 27, Raiders 13
Broncos vs. Raiders live betting odds, moneyline, O/UDenver Broncos (7-2)Los Angeles Chargers (6-3)Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)Las Vegas Raiders (2-6)
All odds according to BetMGM Sportsbook as of Nov. 6.
Despite a 5-4 record and a third-place spot in the AFC West standings, the Chiefs are barely trailing the 7-2 Broncos in odds to win the division title.
Jaguars get: WR Jakobi MeyersRaiders get: Higher of Jaguars’ two fourth-round picks, sixth-round pick
Tucker, a former third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, is the new top receiver on the Raiders’ depth chart. Tucker already leads all Las Vegas pass-catchers in receiving yards (427), touchdowns (4), 20+ yard receiving plays (6) and receiving first downs (19).
Lockett is the newest addition to the Raiders’ receivers corps. The 11th-year wideout began the season with the Tennessee Titans and requested – and was granted – his release after Week 7. Lockett had 10 catches for 70 yards in seven games with Tennessee. He signed with Las Vegas before Week 9’s game against the Jaguars and had one target in his Raiders debut on Nov. 2.
Bech and Thornton are the two rookies the Raiders drafted earlier this year – the former in the second round and the latter in the fourth. Thornton has more targets (19) and yards (94) between the two, but Bech has more catches (7). – Jack McKessy
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