The Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders are set to face off Thursday night at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos are leading the AFC West with a 7-2 record and have one of the best defenses in the NFL. 

The Raiders, on the other hand, have struggled this season with a 2-6 record but have shown some signs that their offense is finally waking up. This game will be a real battle between Denver’s strong defense and Las Vegas’s improving offense. Let’s dive into what to expect from this matchup.

Broncos’ Defense Is Carrying Them Right Now

The Broncos’ defense has been solid all season long. They rank fifth in defensive DVOA, which basically shows how good they are compared to other teams, and fourth in defensive EPA per play, meaning they stop teams from scoring more than most defenses do. Just last game, they held the Houston Texans to only 268 yards — pretty impressive, especially since Houston was missing their rookie QB C.J. Stroud for much of the game.

Their defense plays physical, smart, and doesn’t give opponents many chances. When a team’s defense is this strong, it makes things easier for the offense because they don’t have to worry about scoring all the time, they can let the defense take care of business.

Denver has won six games in a row, proving that they’re for real this season. Their defense has been the main reason, but their offense has been doing a steady job too, keeping the team balanced and in control.

Raiders’ Offense Is Trying to Find Its Groove

The Raiders have struggled so far this year, with only two wins and six losses. Their offense has been near the bottom of the league rankings before Week 9, and playing on the road has been even tougher, they lost their last three away games by a big margin and gave up way too many yards.

But the good news for Raiders fans is that their offense looked better in their recent home game against the Jaguars. They almost pulled off an upset, showing they can compete. Plus, tight end Brock Bowers is back, which is big because he’s a talented player who can cause problems for defenses.

Still, it’s going to be a tough night for Las Vegas trying to crack open Denver’s defense, especially on a short week of preparation. Denver’s coach Vance Joseph and his defense know how to slow down good players like Bowers, better than the Jaguars’ defense did recently.

What to Watch in This Game

• Broncos’ defense vs. Raiders’ offense: Can Denver’s defense keep Las Vegas from scoring? Expect Denver to pressure the QB and look for turnovers.
• Raiders trying to adjust: Will the Raiders’ offense with Bowers finally score enough points? They need to keep their drives alive and make third downs.
• Broncos’ offense managing the game: If Denver’s offense controls the clock and scores regularly, it’ll make it even harder for Vegas to come back.

What the Odds Say and the Prediction

Denver is favored by 9.5 points, which makes sense given how well their defense has played and that they’re playing at home. The most likely outcome is the Broncos winning again, extending their streak to seven wins in a row.

Look for a game where Denver’s defense shines, and their offense keeps enough pressure on to control the clock. The Raiders will try hard, but it probably won’t be enough to keep up on the scoreboard.

When an elite defense meets an offense on the rise, predicting the outcome takes more than surface stats. At Bankroll U, our playmakers dig deeper, uncovering the trends and matchups that turn tough calls into confident picks.