NFL Betting: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Added on Nov 06, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

Sunday NFL action features an AFC West battle between the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. Oakland is one of three teams tied for first place in the division with a 4-3 record while Denver is the ‘odd man out’ sitting in last place with a record of 2-5.

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
November 6, 2011 1:05 PM Pacific

This game opened at -7 but surprisingly hasn’t been bet up higher by NFL betting enthusiasts. It could be due to the popularity of Tim Tebow among mainstream fans. Tebow is a likable enough guy, but at this stage of his career he’s not a very good quarterback. At best, Tebow is still a ‘project’ but right now he’s got countless liabilities as a NFL quarterback. He’s slow to see the play develop, doesn’t have the strongest arm and isn’t good about getting rid of the football quickly. True, Denver’s mediocre offensive line isn’t doing him any favors either which is why he’s been sacked 13 times in the past two games.

The Raiders have quarterback issues of their own, but we don’t expect another three interception game from Carson Palmer who should benefit greatly from having a bye week. Palmer may not be a championship level quarterback, but compared to Tebow he’s Steve Young–he’s smart enough to take advantage of the talent on hand. The Raiders are not only coming off a bye week but are smarting from an embarrassing 28-0 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Star running back Darren McFadden is out which actually gets us some value. With or without Tebow, the Broncos have been a brutal team against the spread this year posting a 2-5 ATS record against the Las Vegas line. The Raiders are 5-2 ATS and in the past couple of years have made mincemeat of divisional foes–since 2009 Oakland is 11-2 against the spread when facing AFC West opponents.

Even with McFadden on the sideline this should be a rout. The Raiders have significant edges up and down the roster and particularly at the quarterback position. Tebow may or may not mature into a decent NFL quarterback but we’re fairly certain that he won’t do so in this spot.

Bet Oakland Raiders -7 over Denver Broncos