Raiders vs. Broncos: NFL Week 1 Odds & Picks (2023)
Sunday marks the first full slate of NFL games for the 2023 season. Make sure to check in with BettingPros throughout the year for top picks and predictions for each and every NFL game. Our writers dive into their favorite picks and predictions for every remaining game on this weekend’s NFL slate. And let’s take a closer look at Raiders vs. Broncos.
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NFL Week 1 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Raiders vs. Broncos
Raiders vs. Broncos
This is a really tricky game to gauge between two division rivals. Can Sean Payton get Russell Wilson cooking again, or is Russ actually COOKED? And will we see a dropoff between Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr in Vegas? While both offenses will be trickier to project, Denver has a clear advantage on the defensive side of the ball. Denver ranked 13th in defensive DVOA while Las Vegas ranked 29th. The Raiders spent two of their top three draft picks on the defense, but it's hard to expect those investments to make an immediate impact in Week 1. To make matters worse, Maxx Crosby's running mate, Chandler Jones, says he doesn't want to play for the team anymore. That makes a weak unit even more toothless enough for a new-look Broncos offense to capitalize. I'd much prefer this below a field goal, and this isn't a game I love by any means. But I'll lay it with the short home favorite.
Pick: Broncos -3 (-110)
What is Betting Against the Spread?
Betting "against the spread" refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.
What is an Over/Under Bet?
Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.
What is a Moneyline Bet?
A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.
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