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NFL Thursday night game picks: Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders

NFL Thursday night game picks: Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders
NFL Thursday night game picks: Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas RaidersJustin Edmonds/Getty Images

Our NFL experts give their picks for Week 10's Thursday night primetime game between the Denver Broncos (7-2) and Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) in this AFC West divisional showdown!

The Broncos are 8.5-point favourites over the Raiders, with the over-under set at 42.5 - the fourth-lowest of the week's games. 

Denver will be rocking their throwback unis for this classic rivalry.

Now, let's get into who our experts picked before we break down the game!

Paul (87-46-1): Broncos 27-16 Raiders

The Broncos won an ugly, gritty game against the Texans last weekend. If they can do it against the best defence in football, the Raiders will be no problem for Bo Nix and consorts.

Vegas showed some signs of improvement against the Jaguars, but I can't get behind a Raiders win at Mile High.

Give me Marcedes Lewis' Broncos!

Eric (86-47-1): Broncos 38-12 Raiders

Words cannot begin to express how I don't think this will even be a relatively close matchup. Las Vegas' defence has given up over 333 total yards and 26 points per game this season. 

The Broncos' offence has put up at least 347 yards and 26 points per game. On the flip side, the Raiders have the third-worst offence facing the Broncos' No. 3 defence.

Sure, the Broncos have lost 10 straight primetime games to division rivals. But that streak ends tonight. 

Who knows, though. Nothing this season makes sense this season. I'm still going with Denver. There's no argument to make me believe they won't.

Miguel (83-50-1): Broncos 24-13 Raiders

It is very difficult to imagine these Raiders standing up to the Broncos, who have now won six straight games - tied for the best in the NFL. 

The defensive power of Denver should be enough to stop this weak Las Vegas team, which is facing another season of disappointment.

At this point, the Raiders can already start thinking about 2026.

Herni (74-59-1): Broncos 20-13 Raiders

A game that has the potential to be forgotten by fans come Sunday.

That generally applies to the Raiders' performance at the moment, but they can now count on Bowers again alongside Jeanty - that's something, at least.

I think Vegas will make the game a little closer than expected. But in the end, the Broncos should have no trouble controlling this match and winning by a touchdown.

Game breakdown

The Broncos are looking for their first 8-2 start to a season since 1989 - the same season they made it to the Super Bowl. 

They currently boast the No. 3 defence that has allowed just 279.9 yards per game and has forced a league-leading 40 sacks. No other team in the NFL has more than 30.

Their offence, which ranks close to the middle of the pack in both yards and points per game, scored 33 and 44 in their two games before their 18-point win against the No. 1 defence in Houston on Sunday.

Quarterback Bo Nix has put up 10 total touchdowns with 782 total yards in the past three games, along with an average 90.0 passer rating and two interceptions. 

Running back J.K. Dobbins, who has four touchdowns on the year, is fifth in the league in rushing (695) and sits just 40 yards behind Rico Dowdle at No. 3. His 5.1 yards per carry also ranks fifth among backs with at least 100 attempts. 

Should the Broncos win on Thursday, they'll be four games away from tying the 11-game win streak that the franchise put up in 2011. 

As for the Raiders, they're coming off a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. They have won just one game since their season-opening win against the New England Patriots, and that was a 20-10 win over the 1-8 Tennessee Titans

The offence put up 17 points in the second half against the Jaguars, 14 in the fourth quarter, to send the game into overtime, where they lost on a failed two-point conversion. 

The bright sides - rookie Ashton Jeanty almost eclipsed 100 total yards and had a touchdown, Brock Bowers led all receivers with 127 yards and three touchdowns - a single-game best - on 12 receptions (13 targets).

If the Raiders, who currently boast the No. 28 offensive line, can find a way to keep getting Jeanty and Bowers in the endzone, especially now that they traded their leading receiver in Jakobi Meyers, then maybe, just maybe, they can salvage an upset in Mile High. 

However, in their road losses this year, they've been outscored a jaw-dropping 112-30. 

Injury reports

For the Broncos, cornerback Pat Surtain, tight end Nate Adkins, and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. will all be inactive for Thursday night against the Raiders. 

Safety P.J. Locke, who was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, is listed as questionable

As for the Raiders, defensive tackle Adam Butler, safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, and safety Lonnie Johnson are also questionable.

Backup quarterback Aidan O'Connell is the only one listed as inactive for Las Vegas.  

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