With The First Pick
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Raiders vs Broncos: Game Pick – AFC West rivals rumble

By Maurice Barksdale

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 1: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 1: Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas /
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The 2-1 Oakland Raiders go on the road to take on the 2-1 Denver Broncos in the AFC West for week 4.  Here is the pick for Raiders vs Broncos.

Both teams were favored to win in week 3 but were upset.  The Denver Broncos by the Buffalo Bills and the Oakland Raiders by the Washington Redskins. Which make this Raiders vs Broncos matchup that much more important.

The winner will go to 3-1 at the quarter season mark but the loser could fall two games behind the Chiefs. With the Kansas City Chiefs out front and running in the AFC West, it is crucial that the other teams in the division try to keep pace with them.

For the Oakland Raiders, they had a total collapse against the Redskins.  Quarterback Derek Carr failed to get anything going in the passing game and Marshawn Lynch got shut down.  Also, the vaunted Raiders offensive line had problems handling the Redskins front seven.

The Denver Broncos offense moved the ball on the Bills defense but it was turnovers that did them in.  While quarterback Trevor Siemian had an outstanding game in week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, he regress a little against the Buffalo Bills.

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Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins had his way with the Raiders defense so that is a concern moving forward. The Broncos defense didn’t give up a lot of yards to the Bills offense and they are ranked fifth in the league, so the Raiders offense will have their hands full.

I think the Raiders offense will play better in week 4 against the Broncos.  You won’t see Derek Carr pass for just 118 yards again any time soon.  However, I think the Redskins loss exposed some weaknesses that the Broncos will take advantage of.

I expect Trevor Siemian to cut down the interceptions and for the Broncos running game to wear down the Raiders defense.  It will be a close game.  The division rivalry is intense and the stakes are high, but I look for the Broncos to get the win at home.

Next: NFL Power Rankings – Week 4: Upsets create Chaos in Top 10

Winner:   Broncos

Score prediction:       24-23  Broncos 

Points spread:      Broncos  -2.5

Over/under:  46 – Over

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