3* NFL Thursday Night Football SMASH on Raiders +10.5

Denver vs. Oakland, 12/06/2012 20:20 EDT, Score: 26 - 13

Point Spread: +10½/-115 Oakland

Sportsbook: BETONLINE

Result: Loss

3* NFL Thursday Night Football SMASH on Raiders +10.5
I expect a bit of a letdown from the Broncos after clinching their second straight AFC West division title. This is also a look-ahead spot for them as they have a big showdown with the Baltimore Ravens next week.

The Broncos have not been a good investment against poor teams. In fact, they are just 11-24 against the spread when matched up against a team with a winning percentage of 25.0 percent or worse over the last two decades. They are only 5-15 against the number against such teams in the second half of the season during this span.

Denver is also on a 0-10 against the spread slide in the second half of the season versus teams that have been outscored by an average of 10.0 points or more on the season. It has actually lost by an average score of 24.0 to 17.8 in this situation.

The Raiders have shown they can hang with and beat good teams. They have a home win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they took the Atlanta Falcons right down to the wire on the road. In fact, they played the Falcons tougher than the Broncos did.

The Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs by only eight points on the road Nov. 25. Keep in mind that the Raiders won by double digits in Kansas City earlier this season. If the Chiefs can stick with Denver so can the Raiders.

The Broncos are just 4-9 against the spread in the last 13 meetings. Take Oakland.