The Washington Football Team (2-5) has struggled in its last three games, losing to the Packers, Chiefs, and Saints.
After being heralded as one of the best defensive teams in the NFL coming into the season, Washington has allowed a league high 30 points per game to opposing offenses through the first seven weeks. Chase Young was supposed to be a difference maker, but Washington has only registered 15 sacks as a team and Young has contributed just 1.5 of them.
Washington’s offense hasn’t been much better. Taylor Heinicke and company put up just 13 points against a bottom-five Chiefs defense in Week 6 and scored 10 points last week against the Packers.
On the other side of this matchup, the Denver Broncos (3-4) have actually had one of the best defenses so far this season, allowing the fourth-fewest points per game (18.1) to opponents.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has been the stereotypical “game manager” for the Broncos, falling squarely in the middle of the pack league-wide in terms of passing yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.
Please note that all odds are current as of 1 PM EST on Friday, October 29.
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Washington vs Broncos Prediction
The Washington defense may actually pick up a few sacks in this game as Teddy Bridgewater has been sacked 18 times this season, which is tied for fourth most in the NFL.
Even if Washington can get to Bridgewater a few times, the sacks will not help unless Washington can stop the Broncos on third down. Washington has struggled defensively on third down all season, allowing conversions 56% of the time, the worst rate in the NFL. That has allowed opposing teams to keep drives alive and pay them off with points.
The Football Team has allowed a league-high 300.6 passing yards per game to opposing offenses, which should mean that Bridgewater and pass catchers Tim Patrick, Courtland Sutton, and Noah Fant are in line for big games.
What also has hurt Washington so far this season is a -3 turnover ratio. Washington’s offense has struggled to hold on the ball of late, with Heinicke throwing picks in each of his last three games and in five of seven contests this season. Meanwhile, Washington’s defense has only intercepted opponent quarterbacks four times this year.
With Bridgewater being so accurate and Washington’s defense struggling to stop anyone, this game should go to the Broncos.
Betting Pick: Broncos 24, Washington 17
Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could be in line for a big passing day in Week 8 against a porous Washington defense. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
Washington vs Broncos Best Bets
Best Bet: Broncos -3 (-115) at Betfred
Wager: 0.5 Units
There is a saying when it comes to gambling on football games that you should always bet on a good quarterback playing against bad teams. Although Teddy Bridgewater is not special, he is a good quarterback and Washington’s defense is terrible.
Bridgewater has thrown 12 touchdown passes and five interceptions so far this season and is completing 70% of his passes, which ranks fifth among quarterbacks with at least 125 attempts.
Washington has allowed a completion rate of 66% to opposing quarterbacks, which bodes well for Bridgewater being able to pick apart the Football Team’s subpar defense.
Washington’s defense has struggled in nearly every facet of the game – sacks, yards allowed, third-down conversions, turnovers, and touchdowns allowed – and that should continue against the decent passing attack and solid rushing attack of the Broncos.
Denver’s offense is not much different than Washington’s offense, except for the fact that the Broncos lean a little more on the run with Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams, and Bridgewater is more accurate in the passing game.
Washington and Denver have amassed nearly an identical amount of total yards this season, but Denver is simply a better team and will prove it on Sunday.
Best Bet: Broncos Team Total Over 23.5 (-125) at Betfred
Wager: 0.5 Units
Washington has allowed 24 points or more in every game so far this season, except a 20-16 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1.
Yes, the Football Team has faced the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Josh Allen, three of the best quarterbacks in football, but they have also allowed Daniel Jones, Jameis Winston and Matt Ryan to put up points too.
The Broncos have only scored 24 or more points in three games this season, but they have not played a defense that is as bad as Washington’s.
With Teddy Bridgewater’s accuracy and an offensive attack that features several talented receiving targets, the Broncos should have a field day and perhaps one of their best offensive days of the year.
Thank you for reading our Washington vs. Broncos Predictions! For more NFL betting tips, check out our NFL Week 8 Parlay Picks.
