ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos finished the month of September undefeated.
At 3-0, Denver is tied with the Las Vegas Raiders atop the entire AFC.
But with the Broncos first three wins coming against teams who are a combined 0-10, there’s still some skepticism about just how good Denver actually is.
The DNVR Crew breaks down what else they need to see from the Broncos to truly believe in them. The fellas then break down props to previews Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens.
All odds below are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
What do the Broncos need to do to convince you they are the real deal?
Zac: Go at least 2-2 over the next four games — The Ravens, Steelers, Raiders and Browns will be significantly more difficult than Denver’s first three games.
But since the Broncos took care of business against the bad teams in September, all they have to do is hold their own against this next daunting stretch. If the Broncos come out of the next four games at 2-2, they’ll be 5-2 entering the end of October.
Not only will Denver be the real deal in terms of their record, but they’ll have beaten at least two other very legitimate teams as all four of those teams have very real playoff hopes.
If the Broncos go 3-1 or better in this stretch, the entire NFL will be on serious notice.
Mase: 3-3 in the next six weeks — Given that Washington pushed the Chargers in Week 1 and that Dallas has a win over the Chargers and a narrow loss to Tampa Bay in their opener, it’s fair to take the Broncos’ opponents in Weeks 8 and 9 and lump them into the arduous October that begins with the Ravens on Sunday.
Keeping a big-picture perspective will be essential for a proper view of the Broncos in the coming weeks. One may be tempted to proclaim them as Super Bowl contenders if they defeat the Ravens. One may then overreact and brand them as frauds if they followed such a win by losing at Pittsburgh, who could come into Week 5 desperate if they absorb an expected defeat at Lambeau Field this weekend.
Go .500 over the next six games, and the odds are excellent that the Broncos picked off at least one legitimate contender along the way, thus affirming their rising ceiling.
RK: Win this week — It’s that simple, if the Broncos beat the Ravens, all the concerns about their legitimacy have to be thrown away.
No more questions about quality of wins, no more questions about the quarterbacks they’ve faced, get a win over a legitimate contender to go 4-0 and it’s time to believe in this team.
Picks Picks Picks
Lamar Jackson passing + rushing yards over/under 274.5
Zac: Under. ⬇️.
Mase: Under.
RK: Under.
Teddy Bridgewater passing yards over/under 243.5
Zac: Over.
Mase: Under.
RK: Over.
Teddy Bridgewater interceptions over/under 0.5
Zac: Under. Yet again.
Mase: Under.
RK: Under.
Lamar Jackson rushing yards over/under 68.5
Zac: Under.
Mase: Over.
RK: Over.
Will Javonte Williams or Melvin Gordon have more rushing yards?
Zac: Javonte.
Mase: Gordon.
RK: Williams.
Tim Patrick receiving yards over/under 46.5
Zac: Over. Easily.
Mase: Over.
RK: Over.
Courtland Sutton receptions over/under 4.5
Zac: Under.
Mase: Under.
RK: Over.
Noah Fant receptions over/under 3.5
Zac: Over.
Mase: Over.
RK: Under.
Ravens first-half points over/under 10.5
Zac: Under. By 0.5.
Mase: Under.
RK: Under.
Longest touchdown over/under 39.5 yards
Zac: Under.
Mase: Under.
RK: Under.
Will Denver or Baltimore have the longest made field goal?
Zac: Baltimore.
Mase: Ravens.
RK: Broncos.
Ravens total points over/under 22.5
Zac: Over. Slightly.
Mase: Under.
RK: Under.
Total combined field goal yardage over/under 125.5
Zac: Over.
Mase: Over.
RK: Over.
Broncos-Ravens over/under 44.5
Zac: Over. Barely.
Mase: Over.
RK: Under.
Ravens (-1) @ Broncos
Zac: Broncos.
Mase: Broncos.
RK: Broncos.
Chiefs (-6.5) @ Eagles
Zac: Chiefs. Easily.
Mase: Chiefs.
RK: Chiefs.
Raiders @ Chargers (-3.5)
Zac: Chargers.
Mase: Chargers.
RK: Raiders.
Leaderboard
Zac: 12-3
Mase: 10-5
RK: 9-6
Overall
Zac: 27-18
RK: 24-21
Mase: 22-23
