Raiders vs Broncos NFL Week 4 prediction: Finally a breakthrough for 0-3 Las Vegas?

If the Raiders want to pick up their first win, they need to start turning offensive red-zone opportunities into touchdowns and not field goals.

Or, as an alternative solution, stop committing the turnovers that have been plaguing them for the first three weeks.

The turnaround needs to start this week against the Broncos, if the Raiders hope to avoid their first 0-4 start since the 2014 season. The AFC West rivals meet at 1:25 p.m. Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

The Raiders are moving the ball downfield, only to see the trouble start when they get inside the 20.

Las Vegas is ranked 26th in the NFL, scoring touchdowns on 6 of 13 chances (46.2%) in the red zone. The Raiders hurt themselves in one instance last week in a 24-22 loss, when a Derek Carr pass intended for Darren Waller was intercepted.

Waller had a hand on it, but the ball ricocheted to a Titans defender. Things like that need to change fast.

The Raiders have had opportunities to win each of the first three weeks of the new NFL season, only to be doomed by miscues here and there.

Denver has endured its share of red zone frustrations, going 1 for 7 (14.3) to rank last in the NFL

Injury report

The Raiders will be without WR Hunter Renfrow (concussion) and TE Foster Moreau (knee) while the Broncos ruled out WR Tyrie Cleveland (hamstring), LB Jonathon Cooper (hamstring), CB Darius Phillips (hamstring), OL Billy Turner (knee) and G/C Quinn Meinerz (hamstring).

Line and over/under

The Raiders are 2.5-point favorites by FanDuel SportsBook. The over/under is at 45.5.

How to watch on TV

The game will be shown in many regions on CBS. For listing of channels, click here.

Analysis

Three things need to happen for the Raiders in this matchup: convert more drives into touchdowns, and pick up a few sacks and interceptions. Find success in at least two of those categories and the chances of winning rise dramatically. ... Putting pressure on Denver QB Russell Wilson is good, but getting to him would be ideal and make it a lot easier for the defense. Maybe it will come from DE Chandler Jones, who hasn’t been productive since joining the Raiders in the offseason. ... Jones, stuck on 0 sacks this season, had success against Wilson when they were both in the NFC West, with Jones taking him down 16 1/2 times. If Jones tracks down Wilson again, it can only help DE Maxx Crosby, who still has been productive and the motor of the defense the first three weeks. ... Broncos LT Garrett Boles had problems with Nick Bosa last week, allowing six pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. RT Cameron Fleming gave up four pressures. ... Could Crosby and Jones both find their way to Wilson? ... How about the Raiders offense? It needs to start putting more points on the scoreboard. It has all the makings of a high-powered attack, but the receivers need to hang on to the ball. For the season, the Raiders have just three drops, but all in key situations (see Waller in the end zone against Titans). ... Besides Waller, Mack Hollins and Keelan Cole (wide open against Tennessee) also have drops. ... The Raiders’ offensive line will be challenged by Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory. ... Las Vegas has used nine different linemen this season. Whoever is in, they’ll need to contain Gregory and Chubb. ... Is a change of fortune in the cards against the Broncos, with the Raiders having won two in a row at home and four straight overall in the series? ... This is a big one for the Raiders and we believe they’ll find a way.

Prediction: Raiders 27, Broncos 20