Commanders vs Broncos Odds
| Commanders Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -110 | 38.5 -110o / -110u | +170 |
| Broncos Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -110 | 38.5 -110o / -110u | -200 |
Commanders vs. Broncos odds have Denver installed as a four-point favorite in Week 2.
Russell Wilson and Sean Payton, in search of their first win as a duo, welcome Sam Howell and the Commanders in this Week 2 NFL contest. Washington escaped with a victory over the Cardinals in Week 1.
Let's preview the game and make our Commanders vs. Broncos pick.
Commanders vs. Broncos
Matchup Analysis
It was a shocking Week 1 for the Broncos. Out went Nathaniel Hackett and in came Sean Payton, yet the result remained the same – a loss.
Despite dropping their season opener, there’s reason for optimism with this Denver team. For starters, Jerry Jeudy was out, and it was Javonte Williams’ first game back from a torn ACL (13 carries, 52 yards). Greg Dulcich left midway through the contest with an injury, and Marvin Mims played just 17 snaps.
Fans just need a little patience as the kinks get sorted out. While Dulcich is doubtful for Sunday, Jeudy is set to make his return. I’d expect a larger workload for Williams — he was on a pitch count in Week 1 — as the growing pains that come from a revamped coaching staff dissipates.
It wasn’t like Denver's offense looked bad, either. Divisional bouts never go as planned. There were just five second-half possessions in that Raiders-Broncos game, and Wil Lutz missed a 55-yard field goal and an extra point in the eventual 17-16 loss.
That was the ultimate difference — but not the entire reason why — Denver lost and our Action Network Luck Rankings explain that. The Broncos currently sit third to last and I’m expecting a bounce-back performance.
It’s easy to point the blame toward Russell Wilson. He became a scapegoat alongside Hackett for most of last season, and while some of it was warranted, the Broncos did finish Week 1 fourth in offensive DVOA despite a limited crew.
Wilson finished 27-of-34 with 177 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Even without Dulcich, Adam Trautman is more than capable of carrying the load, and Jeudy’s presence alone is an incomparable boost when looking at the rest of Denver’s receiving room.
All this to say: don’t panic. Especially in a game where Payton is a better head coach by leaps and bounds than Ron Rivera. On coaching mismatch alone, this sets up to be a perfect zig-zag win for Denver against a Commanders team that didn’t look all that sharp in their opener.
Bet Washington vs. Denver at FanDuel
Like a lot of the world, Washington was my survivor pick, and I’m happy that I got them out of the way. Despite the Cardinals cutting presumed starter Colt McCoy and trading away Isaiah Simmons for practically nothing, they hung around for the entire game.
In fact, if it weren’t for two key takeaways where the Cardinals turned it over inside their own 30, we could very well be looking at a winless Commanders team heading to Mile High. Washington scored 10 points on just 11 plays to stave off the upset.
The run game was ineffective and Sam Howell was sacked six times. Despite nearly 20 carries, Brian Robinson was held under three yards per carry and never broke a rush longer than seven yards. It was a weak Arizona defense, yet Howell never looked comfortable.
When looking at the Commanders, what they want to do is clear — run the ball and churn the clock. It’s a Rivera staple and Robinson had 19 carries — the Commanders had 28 overall — but were stunted by Arizona's front seven. The same should happen here against Denver.
The Broncos defense finished Week 1 inside the top five in rush DVOA and held Josh Jacobs to just 48 yards on 19 carries. Robinson is a clear downgrade from Jacobs and after struggling against Arizona, it doesn’t seem like the tide will turn.
Terry McLaurin is also battling a turf toe injury, and despite playing Week 1, he caught just two passes for 31 yards. He’ll be covered by Pat Surtain III for the majority of the game, which is a nightmare matchup.
As Pro Football Focus broke down in Week 1, Surtain allowed just 16 yards on five targets. He mostly guarded Davante Adams, who is not only healthy, but superior to McLaurin.
Commanders vs. Broncos
Betting Picks & Predictions
Week 2 is often coined as overreaction week. Denver’s loss to Las Vegas fits the bill there, and really, what we should be talking about is the struggles Washington endured against a Cardinals team left for dead.
Not only is this a perfect bounce-back spot for Denver, but the Commanders have to travel to altitude in a raucous environment with a young quarterback under center. The coaching mismatch should not be understated as well.
Give me Payton and Russ any day of the week over Rivera and a shaky Howell.
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