Denver at Las Vegas

It is hard for the oddsmakers to put an accurate line up for this game. Oakland has been horrible for a long time and Denver has been great for a long time. Denver was supposed to be bad this season, but they have started 2-0. So what to make of this game? Don't let the records fool you. Oakland is 1-1 but very easily could be 2-0 as they outplayed San Diego in their opener but still lost. In that game, the Raiders outgained the Chargers, and had a turnover disadvantage and lost by just four as the Chargers scored with 18 seconds left for the win. Denver is 2-0 but should be 1-1. The truth is, these teams are heading in opposite directions. DeMarcus Russell will come into this one with an extra hop in his step as he guided the Raiders to a late fourth quarter drive to snatch victory from defeat on the road against the Chiefs. It is easy to look at how badly the Raiders were outplayed in that game as the Chiefs piled up the yards, out-gaining the Raiders 409-166. But let's look at the bright side. They won! It is a game that in the past the Raiders would have lost by three TDs. But this is a different Raider team and doing that on the road vs. a division foe is impressive. They are still struggling to find an identity and to find ways to be consistent. But, they are making strides. Last week the Broncos dominated a Browns team that looked horrible and self destructed on the road. They now have to travel in-division and Oakland is still way under the radar as they are much better than people think. Getting them as home dog vs. an unproven team provides for value. Oakland has won five of the last six in this series ATS and the Broncos are just 3-15 ATS over the past three seasons in division games. The Broncos are also 3-12 ATS over that span when coming off a win including 0-8 off a home win! They are also 1-10 ATS after gaining 400+ yards in a game. I like the live, underrated home dog here.