NFL Week 14 Picks: Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders

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Quarterback Peyton Manning has enjoyed great against-the-spread (ATS) success as a favorite this year, as the Denver Broncos (9-3) prepare to take on the Oakland Raiders (3-9) on Thursday night at the O.co Coliseum, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on the NFL Network.

The Broncos are currently listed as 10.5-point road favorites in the Week 14 NFL odds (courtesy of SBR Forum), while the total stands at 49 in the market.

Manning has led Denver to a perfect 8-0 record as a favorite during the 2012 regular season, which includes a 6-1-1 ATS mark.

Let's take a closer look at this AFC West rivalry game from a betting perspective, while offering a prediction on the betting total along the way.

Denver Broncos

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The Denver Broncos are AFC West champions for a second consecutive season, as they attempt to sweep their 2012 season series with the Oakland Raiders.

Peyton Manning completed 30 of 38 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-6 blowout win in the first meeting, with the offense finishing with 503 total yards.

Sports bettors will find that the road team is 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings in this rivalry.

Oakland Raiders

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The Oakland Raiders are 7-7 all time when playing on Thursday, which includes a 24-17 victory over the San Diego Chargers as seven-point road underdogs last season.

All eyes will be focused on running back Darren McFadden on the practice field this week, as he's expected to return to the field after sustaining a leg injury in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sports bettors may find value in backing the Silver and Black in this spot, considering they've covered the spread in 13 of their last 15 games as underdogs versus division opponents. 

Las Vegas Perspective

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I reached out to Jimmy Vaccaro earlier this week about this high-profile affair. He serves as the public relations director for William Hill U.S., and here's what he had to say:

Peyton Manning finally meets the Black Hole. Black Hole 1, Denver 0. Darren McFadden's back for the Raiders, and it's just a bad spot for Denver, with a short week after beating a quality opponent and the Ravens up next. These Thursday night home teams on the short week have been gold so far this year.

Prediction

I'm going to recommend that readers play the OVER in this divisional affair, as Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning should have his way with the Oakland Raiders secondary on a short week. Five of the last six meetings in this series have climbed above the total.

NFL Week 14 Pick: Over 49

 

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