Oakland Raiders Become Betting Underdogs Against Denver Broncos Amid Antonio Brown Suspension Rumors

The Oakland Raiders were already projected to be one of the NFL’s worst teams in the 2019 season. Expectations for the silver and black have dropped even further now that the status of their star wide receiver is in doubt.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday afternoon that Antonio Brown is facing a suspension after getting into an argument with general manager Mike Mayock Wednesday. The notion that Oakland could be without their best playmaker in Week 1 caused an immediate shift in the betting odds for their game with the Denver Broncos.

Denver quickly became a two-point road favorite for the “Monday Night Football” matchup. The point spread had either been a pick’em or favored the Broncos by a point at most online sportsbooks, according to OddsShark.

The Raiders became two-point underdogs in Las Vegas, as well, where the betting line was a pick’em Thursday morning.

The point spread has moved in Denver’s direction throughout the offseason. Oakland actually opened as a three-point favorite at home when the schedule was announced several months ago, per OddsShark. The Raiders were still favored by a point in the middle of the preseason.

It appeared that Oakland had acquired the No.1 wide receiver they desperately needed when they made the trade for Brown with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. When Brown stayed away from the team during training camp because of a helmet grievance, it started to become clear that the veteran was no guarantee to be a positive for the Raiders on the field in 2019.

Brown led the NFL with 15 receiving touchdowns in 2018, catching over 100 passes for the sixth straight season. Oakland could have a lot of trouble moving the ball if he isn’t in uniform. Tyrell Williams, who has caught 84 passes for 1,381 yards combined over the last two seasons, would become the Raiders’ de facto No.1 receiver.

Only four teams scored fewer points than Oakland last season. Derek Carr hasn’t been better than an average quarterback since he flirted with MVP buzz in the 2016 season.

The Broncos could have one of the league’s best defenses in 2019.