Broncos vs. WFT Odds
| Broncos Odds | -3 |
| WFT Odds | +3 |
| Over/Under | 43 |
| Time | 4:25 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
| Odds via BetRivers. Get up-to-the-minute NFL odds here. | |
Washington is off to Denver for another road game after a disappointing Week 7 loss in Green Bay. The end score says it was a 24-10 loss, but anyone watching knows it was much closer than that. Washington had six drives deep into Packers territory but came up empty on all but two. Washington gets a chance to redeem itself against a Broncos defense that has struggled lately.
Denver’s story this season has been a simple one: beat the bad teams and lose to the good ones. The Broncos started the season with three straight wins. To date, those teams are all 2-5 or worse. Their following four games have all been losses. Each team in that stretch has a record of .500 or better. If history is right, then this matchup against 2-5 Washington came just in time to end their losing streak.
Both Washington and Denver enter this matchup with a losing streak of at least three games. Let’s take a deeper look to see which team will end its streak.
Click the arrow to expand injury reports
Washington vs. Broncos Injury Report
Washington Injuries
- WR Dyami Brown (knee): Out
- WR Curtis Samuel (groin): Out
- Ol Sam Cosmi (ankle): Out
- CB Danny Johnson (wrist): Questionable
- CB William Jackson III (knee): Questionable
- G Brandon Scherff (knee): Questionable
Broncos Injuries
- DL Mike Purcell (thumb): Out
- LB Von Miller (ankle): Questionable
- WR Jerry Jeudy (ankle): Questionable
Washington vs. Broncos Matchup
| Washington Offense | DVOA Rank | Broncos Defense |
| 23 | Total | 26 |
| 22 | Pass | 24 |
| 27 | Rush | 26 |
| Washington Defense | DVOA Rank | Broncos Offense |
| 28 | Total | 14 |
| 29 | Pass | 14 |
| 8 | Rush | 19 |
| Football Outsiders' DVOA measures efficiency by comparing a team's success on every play to the league average based on situation and opponent. | ||
|---|---|---|
Washington Needs a Dynamic Heinicke
Despite being its lowest point output of the year, last week may have been Washington’s best offensive game. The offense gained its most yards of the season and produced its second-best yards per play. Washington’s only game that was more efficient came against Atlanta, but its defense is not one to brag about beating up on. All Washington needs to do now is find a way to finish during a drive's high-leverage plays.
Against Green Bay, this offense received a big boost from Taylor Heinicke on the ground as he ran for 95 yards. He has showcased similar athleticism against the Falcons, running for 40 or more yards in both games on just five attempts. If Heinicke can continue to make plays with his legs it will provide an additional threat for defenses. Washington’s lack of playmakers makes any way to gain yards a viable option.
As for Washington’s run game, its 27th rank in rushing DVOA does not tell the whole story. Per Pro-Football-Reference, Washington ranks third in yards before contact per carry but seventh in yards after contact per carry. If the backs can improve their play and force more missed tackles, Washington’s run game could become one to fear.
Defensively, it is clear at this point in the season that Washington will not live up to the preseason hype. Its defense ranks 28th in total DVOA, and that is despite its rushing defense ranking eighth. The problem for Washington has been its inability to cover anyone. Per PFF, Washington’s coverage grade of 37.0 ranks second-worst in the league. A matchup against Denver’s talented receiving corps with Jerry Jeudy returning could spell big trouble.
Jeudy's Return Should Boost Broncos Offense
The Broncos hope the return of Jerry Jeudy will help open up this offense. Jeudy posted six catches for 72 yards in the season-opener and that even came with him missing part of the game due to injury.
In his absence, Courtland Sutton did a fine job filling in as the possession receiver with 9.2 targets per game and 9.55 yards per target. However, Jeudy will likely step back into the high-volume, low-explosion role as his route-running skills fit it perfectly. This will free up Sutton to focus on being a vertical threat, something much better suited for his athletic, contested-catch style.
Hopefully, these role swaps will help the Broncos' 26th-ranked offense per DVOA. One item the receiver changes will not fix is Teddy Bridgewater’s turnover woes. All five of Bridgewater’s interceptions have come in the last three games. They have been trailing and Bridgewater likely forced throws he should not have, but a team that preaches defense first has to control the ball better.
On the ground, Denver has the opposite problem of Washington. The Broncos offense currently has a run blocking grade of 58.8, but their running games rank 10th in yards after contact per carry. Offensive line play can improve as the year goes on and the unit becomes more cohesive. Denver will have to hope that is the case up front for them.
Defensively, Denver is another team that was expected to be built on defense, but injuries and poor performance got in the way. The setbacks have caused the Broncos to fall to a middle-of-the-pack defense. To put a cherry on top, Von Miller could miss now too as he has missed practice all week. This defense struggled last week against backups, and while Washington’s starters have underwhelmed, it is hard to imagine improvement.
Broncos vs. WFT Picks
Both teams may be on losing streaks entering this week but they feel much different. Washington is coming off its loss to Green Bay where its offense played well enough to avoid punting all game. After watching the Packers defense hold the Cardinals in check for much of TNF, that Washington performance is even more impressive.
Washington gets a chance now to recreate that success against a defense that is hurt and trending in the wrong direction. We saw Cleveland beat Denver’s front with superior line play, and Washington has the talent to do the same. The key will be converting on the high-leverage plays it missed last week. I expect Washington to do so, as last week seems like an anomaly for how many times any team can come up short.
Denver’s hope in this game will be to have its receivers consistently beat Washington on the outside. The problem with that plan is the Broncos' offensive line will have to hold up against Washington's second-best pass rush, per PFF. While Denver’s offensive line has not been bad so far, it can not keep up with a top defensive front.
Despite Denver’s success against struggling teams on the year, I am going to go against the Broncos in this one. They have not looked close to the same team we saw to start the year and they consistently start slow. Washington just played the leader in the NFC and looked respectable on both sides of the ball. If you are feeling frisky, you can take Washington on the moneyline, but I will play it safe and take the points.
Pick: WFT +3 | Bet to: +1.5
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