5 Bold Broncos Predictions vs. Raiders in Week 1

The Denver Broncos received a stroke of luck by having their season opener at home, but it comes from their most hated foe — the Las Vegas Raiders. With a mostly new coaching staff, headlined by Sean Payton, the Broncos hope to snap the Raiders' six-game win streak over them.

It hasn't gone well for the Broncos since 2015. Denver has gone 4-10 in these Raiders games since. The Broncos are losing the all-time series 71-54-2, and something needs to change.

This is a Broncos team with playoff aspirations, and to help them get there, they have to do better in their division. Denver went 1-5 in the AFC West in 2022, and since its last playoff berth, the team has gone 12-31 in divisional games, with only one season where it at least went 3-3.

Things have to change for the Broncos, who used to demand respect with their winning tradition but have lost that reputation. With Denver's still new and shiny ownership and its new coach, this season opener has a lot of pressure built in. The Broncos need to snap the Raiders' win streak and start the season strong.

One way the Broncos can do that is to achieve remarkable stats in the game. Today, I'm rendering five bold predictions for Week 1, and they would go a long way toward helping the Broncos pull out the win.

Broncos RBs Combine for 200-Plus Yards & a TD

With Javonte Williams on a snap count, as the Broncos ease him back into a full workload, Samaje Perine leads the team in rushing. Perine alone picks up over 100 yards rushing but can't find his way into the end zone.

Instead, the touchdown goes to undrafted rookie Jaleel McLoughlin, who adds about 50 rushing yards on a handful of carries. Adding to this prediction, McLaughlin's touchdown comes on a run from outside the red zone.

Williams gets his and adds about 75 rushing yards, with another 50 coming as a receiver. He doesn't get into the end zone, but he makes it clear he is close to being the primary back in the next couple of weeks.

The Raiders relinquished 122.8 rush yards per game last year, but they took some big hits to their defense. Vegas lost Andrew Billings and Denzel Perryman, two good run defenders, and it didn't replace Billings. The Raiders brought in Robert Spillane, a decent run defender, but still took a hit there.

Marcus Epps was the Raiders' significant addition to their run defense, as he is better there than Duron Harmon. Marcus Peters and Rock Ya-Sin are a wash regarding their run defense. The rest of Vegas' significant additions in free agency won't likely see the field much.

The Raiders were gutted up the middle regarding their run defense. Jerry Tillery and Bilal Nichols man the middle of the line. While Nichols is solid, Tillery has struggled to see the field because of his run defense.

Devine Deable, Luke Masterson, and Spillane are their projected starting linebackers. Spillane is by far the best of the bunch there and is only solid. There is a clear path for the Broncos to reach this prediction, and it's through the middle of the defense.

TE Greg Dulcich Grabs 2 TDs

The Raiders' linebackers mentioned for run defense also play a large part in this prediction. Deablo is a decent enough cover guy, but Spillane and Masterson are weak links.

Deablo handles the middle, so the Broncos will likely create matchups with Spillane and Masterson with Dulcich, which is so heavily in the home team's favor it isn't even funny.

Those three linebackers combined to play 753 coverage snaps and were targeted 109 times, allowing 94 catches for 1,008 yards and seven touchdowns. They had no interceptions and only broke up three passes.

What if the Raiders match up a safety with Dulcich? Well, that only creates mismatches elsewhere with what receivers the Broncos have, their running backs, and other tight ends. Even then, Dulicich should be able to do quite well for himself.

While Marcus Epps does help Vegas' run defense, he's a downgrade when it comes to coverage. He allowed six touchdowns in coverage last year on 40 catches that came on 51 targets.

Epps broke up five passes but didn't pick off any passes. Vegas can use him in certain coverages, but Dulcich still has the advantage here.

As for Trevon Moehrig, the Raiders will likely be using him as a single high safety. They will need him there to help combat the Broncos' field stretching ability with Marvin Mims Jr. and Dulcich.

Payton called Dulcich the 'joker' because of his ability to create mismatches. This game will highlight that and show why the coaching staff thinks so highly of Dulcich, even if he is the second tight end on the depth chart.

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Jimmy Garropplo Sacked 7 Times

When the Broncos faced Garoppolo last season, it wasn't exactly a night for quarterbacks. Both Garoppolo and Russel Wilson were sacked four times.

In this Broncos-Raiders matchup, Wilson gets sacked three times, while Garoppolo goes down seven times.

The big difference here is the quality of the offensive line behind which Garoppolo plays. Kolton Miller is decent, but he is no Trent Williams. Miller allowed four sacks last year and over 30 pressures.

Next to Miller is Dylan Parham, who should be better than he was as a rookie, which is needed after he allowed six sacks and 50 pressures. Center Andre James allowed two sacks and 24 pressures, and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor allowed three sacks and 26 pressures. The Raiders brought in Greg Van Roten, who played 229 pass-blocking snaps last season, allowing 10 pressures.

The Broncos picked up three sacks against the Raiders last season and are without some of the pieces they had. Dre'Mont Jones, Bradley Chubb, and Baron Browning made a sizeable impact, but D.J. Jones and Randy Gregory are still around.

Jones picked up six pressures and a sack in two games, and Gregory only played in the first matchup and picked up five pressures. Jonathon Cooper played in the second matchup and picked up two pressures.

Frank Clark played in both games against the Raiders for the Kansas City Chiefs last season, picking up five pressures and a sack. Zach Allen had four pressures with the Arizona Cardinals in his single game against the Raiders last season.

Everything comes together for the Broncos' pass rush to attack the weak spots on the Raiders offensive line. Gregory leads the way with 2.5 sacks, Allen adds 1.5, Josey Jewell and Cooper add a sack each, and D.J. Jones and Cooper split one.

Broncos Pick Off Two Passes, One For a Pick-6

Justin Simmons and Patrick Surtain II, come one down. Both All-Pros walk out with an interception in this game. This prediction works symbiotically with the previous ones, and both interceptions come in the second half.

The Broncos get up early, running the ball well and controlling the clock, and their pass rush is relentless. This leads Garoppolo to try and force things, especially on his top playmaker Davante Adams. Surtain jumps a route and takes it to the house.

As for Simmons, Garoppolo likes to work the short and intermediate parts of the field. Simmons reads quarterbacks quite well and gets into position to make things happen. He reads a pass over the middle and comes down with the interception.

Josh Jacobs, Davante Adams, & Maxx Crosby Limited

The Broncos don't shut out any of these three players but slow them down and limit their impact.

The strong running game takes away Crosby's pass-rush prowess. He still picks up a sack and makes a couple of tackles for a loss, but he doesn't take over the game.

Jacobs is undefeated against the Broncos in his seven games and averages over 100 yards rushing. The Broncos limit him to under 100 total yards, with under 75 rushing yards. Denver also keeps him out of the end zone.

Adams picks up some catches against Surtain but doesn't get into the end zone, finishing with 50-75 receiving yards. But remember, Adams also gets jumped by Surtain for a pick-six later in the game.

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