NFL's Second Half Kicks Off with Raiders-Broncos Thursday Night Football, While NBA and College Gridiron Action Unfold

The National Football League (NFL) regular season has reached its midway point, with nine weeks completed and an equal number remaining. The second half of the 2025 season commences tonight as the Denver Broncos host the Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field for Thursday Night Football. This divisional clash carries significant implications for both franchises as they navigate contrasting trajectories.

The Denver Broncos, holding an impressive 7-2 record, have emerged as one of the league’s most notable surprises in the first half of the season. Their strong performance places them among the NFL’s elite, sharing the best record with the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots – a trifecta that would have offered exceptionally long odds prior to the season’s commencement. Conversely, the Las Vegas Raiders are experiencing another challenging campaign, currently standing at 2-6. Only the Miami Dolphins (2-7), New York Jets (1-7), Tennessee Titans (1-8), and New Orleans Saints (1-8) possess worse records across the league.

Entering tonight’s contest, Denver is established as a 9.5-point favorite over Las Vegas. The Broncos have developed a reputation for dramatic finishes, having secured victories after trailing by eight or more points in the fourth quarter in three of their last five games. This remarkable resilience ties an all-time NFL record for such wins within a five-game span, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure and close out contests.

The Raiders, meanwhile, have struggled significantly, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They have conceded 30 or more points in consecutive games, both resulting in losses, and rank among the bottom five teams in the NFL for scoring offense, averaging just 16.5 points per game. Their total offense also struggles, managing only 283.3 yards per contest. These statistics paint a picture of a team facing considerable challenges on both sides of the ball.

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While the Raiders-Broncos game stands as the marquee event on Thursday’s sporting calendar, other significant matchups are scheduled. The National Basketball Association (NBA) features a contest between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Phoenix Suns, and a two-game slate rounds out the college football action. Below is a detailed overview of the key games and betting insights for Thursday, November 6, with all times listed in Eastern Standard Time.

NFL Best Bets and Broadcast Information

Raiders at Broncos

Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Denver, Colorado (Empower Field)
TV: Prime Video
Stream: Fubo (Subscription required, free trial available)

SportsLine’s projection model forecasts the Broncos to cover the -9.5 spread, assigning a 62.0% probability and a rare ‘A’ grade to this outcome. Expert analysis from SportsLine’s Larry Hartstein suggests confidence in Denver at -8.5, indicating a strong belief in the Broncos’ ability to control the game.

Will Brinson, a prominent NFL analyst, highlights Denver’s historical success when playing against struggling defenses at Empower Field. The Broncos have posted significant offensive outputs in such matchups, scoring 28 points against the Cincinnati Bengals, 33 against the New York Giants, and 44 against the Dallas Cowboys. This trend does not bode well for a Las Vegas defensive unit that ranks 23rd in the league, allowing an average of 26.3 points per game.

Further compounding the Raiders’ defensive challenge is the short week following their demanding overtime loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a game in which their defense was on the field for 77 plays. Fatigue could be a significant factor against a fresh Broncos offense. Moreover, Denver boasts the NFL’s most potent pass rush, having accumulated an impressive 40 sacks this season, which is 12 more than any other team in the league. This relentless pressure is particularly concerning for a Raiders’ quarterback who, according to Hartstein, tends to struggle when facing significant defensive pressure. The combination of Denver’s home-field advantage, offensive efficiency against weaker defenses, and an elite pass rush positions them favorably for this Thursday Night Football encounter.

NBA Best Bets and Broadcast Information

Clippers at Suns

Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
TV: NBA TV
Stream: Fubo (Subscription required, free trial available)

The Thursday NBA schedule features a single contest, pitting two teams currently below the .500 mark against each other: the Los Angeles Clippers (3-4) and the Phoenix Suns (3-5). The Clippers arrive in Phoenix having lost two consecutive games and three of their last four, dealing with significant roster challenges. Key players James Harden (personal reasons) and Kawhi Leonard (ankle injury) are both ruled out for tonight’s game, impacting the team’s offensive and defensive capabilities.

The Phoenix Suns, coming off a recent loss to the Golden State Warriors, are looking to rebound. A key player acquired in a recent trade is expected to make their debut for the Suns tonight, potentially providing a boost to their lineup. Despite their current record, the Suns possess a talented roster featuring players like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, who will be crucial in leveraging the Clippers’ absences.

SportsLine’s Projection Model indicates that the Suns have a 58.0% chance to cover the -2.5 spread, assigning a ‘C’ grade to this pick. However, SportsLine expert Bruce Marshall expresses caution regarding a high-scoring affair, noting that the game "doesn’t seem to have shootout written all over it." This suggests a potential for a lower-scoring contest, possibly due to the Clippers’ diminished offensive firepower or a focus on defensive execution from both sides in an effort to secure a much-needed victory.

College Football Best Bets and Broadcast Information

UTSA at South Florida

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Tampa, Florida (Raymond James Stadium)
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo (Subscription required, free trial available)

The South Florida Bulls (6-2, 3-1 in American Athletic Conference) aim to bolster their pursuit of an American Conference Championship Game berth and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff as the Group of Five representative. Their early season performance was marked by impressive victories over Boise State and Florida, establishing them as a leading contender. However, their momentum was somewhat halted on October 25 with a 34-31 road loss to Memphis, which placed them among six teams in the conference with a single loss.

Hosting the UTSA Roadrunners (4-4, 2-2 in American), the Bulls face a team that recently secured a convincing 48-26 victory over Tulane last week, showcasing their own capabilities. The Roadrunners will look to build on that performance and disrupt South Florida’s conference aspirations.

SportsLine’s Projection Model offers an intriguing outlook on this matchup, indicating that UTSA has a 66.0% chance to cover the +13.5 spread, earning a ‘B’ grade. This suggests that while South Florida is favored, the Roadrunners are expected to keep the game competitive, potentially benefiting from their recent strong showing and the high stakes of a conference game.

Looking Ahead: Friday, November 7

NBA: Rockets at Spurs

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: San Antonio, Texas (Frost Bank Center)
TV: Prime Video
Stream: Fubo (Subscription required, free trial available)

Friday evening brings an intriguing Texas showdown as the Houston Rockets visit Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs for their first head-to-head meeting of the season. The Houston Rockets (5-2) have displayed remarkable form after an initial setback, losing their first two games before embarking on a dominant five-game winning streak. During this run, they have blown out opponents, winning by an average margin of 19.2 points per game, and currently boast the NBA’s most efficient offense, averaging 122.4 points per 100 possessions.

The San Antonio Spurs (5-2), despite recently dropping two consecutive games, maintain one of the league’s top defensive units, ranking second overall with a defensive rating of 109.6. Their defensive prowess is particularly pronounced when rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama is on the court, with the team exhibiting the most efficient defense in the NBA during his minutes. However, the Spurs will be without rookie guard Dylan Harper, who is projected to miss multiple weeks due to a calf injury, potentially impacting their backcourt depth.

SportsLine’s Projection Model favors Houston, giving the Rockets a 58.0% chance to cover the -2 spread and assigning a ‘C’ grade to this pick. The clash between Houston’s high-octane offense and San Antonio’s elite defense, anchored by Wembanyama, promises a compelling contest.

College Basketball: No. 19 Kansas at No. 25 North Carolina

Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina (Dean E. Smith Center)
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo (Subscription required, free trial available)

Two of college basketball’s most storied programs are set to collide on Friday as the No. 19 Kansas Jayhawks travel to face the No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels in an early-season marquee matchup. Both teams enter the game with undefeated records from their season openers.

The Kansas Jayhawks (1-0), led by highly touted potential No. 1 overall draft pick Darryn Peterson, began their campaign with a dominant 94-51 victory over an outmatched Green Bay squad. This performance showcased their offensive firepower and the individual brilliance of Peterson.

Similarly, the North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0) also cruised in their season opener, dismantling Central Arkansas with a convincing 94-54 win. The Tar Heels demonstrated their depth and offensive capabilities in front of their home crowd. This early-season encounter between two traditional powerhouses will serve as a significant test for both teams, offering an important barometer for their respective seasons.

SportsLine’s Projection Model leans towards the home team, indicating that North Carolina has a 57.0% chance to cover the -1.5 spread, earning a ‘C’ grade. The Dean E. Smith Center is expected to provide a raucous atmosphere for this high-profile collegiate basketball contest.