Broncos/Raiders Predictions, Odds & Picks
September 6, 2008
First-year quarterback JaMarcus Russell and the Oakland Raiders take on Jay Cutler and the Denver Broncos on ESPN’s Monday Night Football this week. The Info Plays team gives their Broncos/Raiders predictions Monday Night with an 8* MNF on ESPN Late-Night Thriller for just $14.95. After an inconsistent 2007 season, Cutler will try to lead the Broncos to the playoffs and end their two-year drought of missing the postseason. Cutler starter all season last year, and the Broncos finished a 7-9 for their first losing record since 1999.
The Broncos’ QB put up solid numbers with a 63.6 completion percentage while throwing for 3,497 yards and 20 touchdowns. He faded down the stretch as he posted quarterback rating under 50 in two of his final five games. Cutler found out why he was so tired to end the season last year. He was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the spring after losing 35 points last season. With changes to his diet and synthetic insulin, Cutler’s blood sugar levels are down and he’s back to full strength heading into the year.
Cutler’s playing behind an offensive line that doesn’t have a single starter back from last season. The Broncos lost promising running backs Ryan Torain and Anthony Alridge in the preseason. That leaves Selvin Young and Andre Hall to split carries to start the year. Oakland will rely heavily on its running game with Russell scheduled to be the full-time starter. The Raiders drafted Darren McFadden in the first-round and he’ll be complimented by 1,000-yard rusher Justin Fargas. Side with the Raiders +3 at Sportsbook.com here.
Denver will likely stack eight in the box on Monday to make Russell try and beat them. Russell came off the bench three times last season before starting in their season finale against San Diego. He went on to complete 23-of-31 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown in that start. The Raiders have now lost 61 games in the last five years after finishing 4-12 last season. That’s Al Davis’ worst stretch as the Raiders’ owner since he came to Oakland in 1963.
Russell knows he doesn’t have to be superman considering he has plenty of teammates capable of carrying their share of the load. McFadden is expected to help out right away. The Raiders finished 4th in the NFL in rushing last year, but they never had a rushing touchdown of 20 yards or more. McFadden will be rushing against a Denver defense that yielded 145.9 yards/game last season. Six teams scored more than 30 points against Denver, and two put up more than 40.
The Raiders did beat the Broncos 34-20 on December 2nd in the team’s final meeting of the season. Fargas played a big role, rushing for 146 yards and a score. The Broncos signed tackle Dewayne Robertson to try and shore up the offensive line in a trade with the Jets. They’re expecting big things from second-year lineman Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Marcus Thomas. An improved defensive line would only help the Broncos’ secondary. Cornerbacks Champ Bailed and Dre Bly are two of the best in the business. The two have combined for 80 interceptions since 1999, ranking as the top two corners in that department.
Former teammates Javon Walker and Ashley Lelie are now with the Raiders, so that will be an interesting match-up as they face Bailey and Bly all night. Mike Shanahan is 20-6 as a head coach against the Raiders. Shanahan and Al Davis still have bad blood between one another, after Shanahan has let go in 1988-89 as the coach of the Raiders. You can bet the Broncos -3 at BetUs here.