Broncos vs. Raiders: Week 1 Bold Predictions & Picks

How does the Sean Payton era begin for the Denver Broncos?

And just like that, the Denver Broncos are back. The 2023 season kicks off on Sunday with a home tilt vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. 

It's head coach Sean Payton's first chance to begin rebalancing the scales of Mile High Justice — in both the macro and micro sense. Firstly, the Broncos have lost six straight to their hated AFC West rival, and secondly, this team has failed to post more than 7 wins in each of the past six seasons. 

The Broncos rolled out the Brinks truck for Payton and gave up a pretty penny, as it were, to acquire his coaching rights from the New Orleans Saints. That was the investment. 

Sunday will provide the first evidence of return on investment. A lot has changed in Vegas since last the Broncos faced the Raiders. A new QB, plus other personnel changes. 

How will it shake out for the Broncos? Let's go around the Mile High Huddle table to see how our staff envisions the season opener unfolding for the Broncos.

James Campbell (@JamesC_MHH): This is the acid test for the Broncos, especially since they haven't beaten the Raiders in what feels like forever. Payton will have the Broncos in ship shape and ready, and he out-coaches his counterpart. This game will be decided by coaching decisions, minimizing mistakes, and putting players in the best position to succeed. A key factor in this rivalry is the Broncos' ability and willingness to match the Raiders' physicality, and this has been a key focus of the offseason. If the Broncos don't match the intensity and don't limit mistakes, the Raiders can make them pay. But the first game with a new coach in a home game against the biggest rival — Broncos Country expects a victory. 

Pick: Broncos 31, Raiders 14

Keith Cummings (@KeithC_NFL): Going on preparations alone, the Broncos are the favorites on paper, at least. How the Broncos control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball will provide the key to victory. The Broncos achieve both, with Russell Wilson throwing for two second-half scores. The Broncos prevail.

Pick: Broncos 24, Raiders 14

Carl Dumler (@CarlDumlerMHH): Payton has said publicly on multiple occasions that a fast start is the key to the season going in the right direction. He will have a few tricks up his sleeve to get the Broncos an early lead forcing the Raiders to limit their run game and rely on the arm of Jimmy Garappolo to win the game for them. The defense forces a couple of bad throws and capitalizes, giving the offense short-field opportunities. The offense sees three rushing touchdowns by three different players and wins this one comfortably.

Pick: Broncos 27, Raiders 17

Mike Evans (@MHHEvans): Get ready for a true showdown at Empower Field. The Broncos must lock down the uber-talented Josh Jacobs, keeping him from reaching the consequential 100-yard mark and a single touchdown. But remember, folks, success depends on the Broncos' offensive line. If the O-line brings its A-game and keeps Wilson upright, we will witness the Raiders' winning streak go up in smoke.

Pick: Broncos 24, Raiders 21

Thomas Hall (@ThomasHallNFL): A new coach, a new attitude, and a new era begins this week, and the Raiders just happen to be the first on the docket as the winning tradition returns to the Mile High City. Many think that the Broncos will use the running game extensively to start out, but instead, it's the short passing game that moves the ball for the Broncos.

Pick: Broncos 23, Raiders 17

Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen): The rubber meets the road on Sunday when it comes to the Walton/Penner ownership group's grand design to set the Broncos back on the winning track. Being the cunning capitalists they are, Denver's owners gravitated to extreme competence when it came to filling the team's head-coaching vacancy in January. The Broncos didn't take a chance on a first-timer. Or an up-and-comer. The Walton/Penners threw in with the most experienced head coach on the NFL market. And fans will see that, much like in the retail business, the Walton/Penners will get what they paid for in Payton. The Broncos take a little time getting up to speed in the first half, but by midway through the third quarter, this game will be well in hand. Payton serves up answers to the Jacobs/Davante Adams/Maxx Crosby conundrum and puts the AFC West on notice. The Broncos are back. 

Pick: Broncos 27, Raiders 19

Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL): There are two ways the Broncos win this football game — and make no mistake, this is as must-win as Week 1 gets. The first key is slowing down Vegas' Bronco killer on offense: Jacobs. That goes without saying. The second key is slowing down Vegas' Bronco killer on defense: Crosby. And I expect Denver to succeed with both endeavors, starting the Payton era with a dub and finally snapping the Raiders' Godforsaken winning streak. 

Pick: Broncos 24, Raiders 16

Nick Kendell (@NickKendellMHH): The Broncos should be better than the Raiders in the trenches. On the legs of a big game from Javonte Williams, Denver grinds out a victory.

Pick: Broncos 20, Raiders 16

What happens next for the Broncos? Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports): After the Nathaniel Hackett experiment blew up in the Broncos’ face, they changed course and brought the experienced Payton on board. Payton appears to have returned some stability to the franchise, but the proof of his work comes in the regular season. If Payton succeeds, though, it may take time before the results are more evident. The Raiders, meanwhile, appear to have taken several steps backward, thanks to their offseason moves. While I’m not yet convinced Payton will be the answer to the Broncos’ woes, I have more optimism now that I’ve seen the Broncos in the preseason. I’m expecting a win to open the season, though it will likely be a game in which you will see the Broncos go through growing pains as they get used to Payton’s ways. 

Pick: Broncos 20, Raiders 13

Luke Patterson (@LukePattersonLP): Payton isn’t here to take part; he’s here to take over. Expect competent and aggressive play-calling that’ll feature a heavy dose of running the ball with Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and Jaleel McLaughlin to combat Crosby’s pass rush. Patrick Surtain II gets some revenge on Adams in the form of an interception and victory in Denver. Wilson throws two touchdowns and plays a loose and fun brand of ball.

Pick: Broncos 27, Raiders 16

Lance Sanderson (@SandersonMHH): With the Broncos only carrying three healthy receivers on the active roster to open the season, look for Greg Dulcich to have a major impact in the passing game. The Raiders defense is porous and lacking talent at linebacker, making this a huge opportunity for Dulcich to start off the season hot with a pair of touchdown receptions.

Pick: Broncos 27, Raiders 19

Erick Trickel (@ErickTrickel): Broncos aren't fully gelled as an offensive unit, but they are good enough to hand the Raiders a loss in the season opener. Crosby gets his, but the rest of the Raiders defense falls flat against the onslaught of Williams, Perine, and McLaughlin as they combine for over 150 rushing yards. The Broncos hold Jacobs to under 100 yards and is merciless against Garoppolo, with multiple sacks and two interceptions. The Raiders suffer their first defeat at the Broncos' hands in six games, and Jacobs is handed his first career loss to Denver.

Pick: Broncos 34, Raiders 13

Dylan Von Arx (@arx_d): If there was any time to face a division foe it would be Week 1 at Mile High. Denver's 18-2 record in home openers over the last 20 years is impressive, unlike Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, who will be severely out-coached by Payton. The key to this game is forcing Garoppolo to have to put the Raiders on his back, and the Broncos must slow down Jacobs to make that possible. Jimmy G and company will crack under the pressure, due to Broncos Country rocking the stadium. Denver will secure its first victory against the Raiders since moving to Las Vegas.

Pick: Broncos 30, Raiders 10

Ron White (@RonWhiteNFL): The Broncos home opener vs. the Raiders is the perfect game to set the tone for the 2023 season. Denver's offensive game plan will be very organized and strategic. There will be a heavy emphasis on the ground game, with Williams, Perine, and McLaughlin totaling over 100 rushing yards and Wilson connecting on timely passes to wide receivers and tight ends, resulting in four total touchdowns. The Broncos will hold Jacobs under 100 rushing yards and account for several sacks on Garoppolo. In addition, Justin Simmons and Surtain have an interception each. The Broncos end their six-game losing streak against their division rival.

Pick: Broncos 31, Raiders 17

---

Follow Mile High Huddle on Twitter and Facebook.

Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!