The Oakland Raiders didn't think their first game in the post-Antonio Brown era would also be the 2019 season opener, but that's the scenario as Monday Night Football returns for another year.
Brown, the mercurial wide receiver who dominated the headlines from the moment he was traded to the Raiders back in March, forced his way out of the team after ongoing drama throughout the preseason. The 31-year-old was released by Oakland just two days prior to what should've been his first game, and he quickly agreed to a deal with the Patriots and raised even more eyebrows in the process.
Needless to say, Brown still dominates the Raiders' narrative despite now playing for another team, and his sizable absence hangs over the club's final home opener in Northern California before its planned move to Las Vegas in 2020.
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The visiting Denver Broncos will relish the distraction, however. With new quarterback Joe Flacco at the helm, the Broncos will be looking to improve upon last season's 6-10 record, and a season-opener against the Raiders, who were even worse than Denver last year, could be the catalyst for a Broncos organization looking to get back into the playoffs for the first time since winning the Super Bowl in 2015.
With both teams aiming for a better campaign, and each looking at this game as one of the easier contests on their respective schedule, the closing match-up of 2019's NFL opening weekend could take many by surprise.
How to stream Broncos vs. Raiders for free in Canada
The Broncos vs. Raiders game can be streamed on DAZN, which shows every NFL game during the 2019 regular season and playoffs.
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What TV channel is Broncos vs. Raiders on?
- Date: Monday, Sept. 9
- Start time : 10:20 p.m. ET
- TV channel: TSN
- Live stream: DAZN
What other NFL content is on DAZN?
DAZN is a global sports streaming service that offers exclusive coverage of every NFL game and RedZone in Canada, both live and on demand.
Football fans in Canada also can enjoy 24/7 streaming of the NFL Network on DAZN, which includes complete coverage of the NFL Draft, Scouting Combine and free agency. DAZN also is the exclusive home of HBO's critically acclaimed series, Hard Knocks.
Broncos vs. Raiders head-to-head stats
- These teams were among the worst in the NFL last season, and their relative parity showed in recent meetings as each has won four of the past eight head-to-head match-ups.
- The Raiders could be hosting their final home opener in Oakland, and they'll be hoping for much better luck this time around. The team has lost its last seven straight season openers at home, allowing at least 24 points in each defeat.
- On the flip side, the Broncos head into Monday with a franchise-record, and current NFL-best, seven-game winning streak in season openers. The last team to defeat Denver on opening day? The Raiders, back in 2011.
Broncos vs. Raiders betting odds
According to Sportsbook Review, Broncos are 2.5-point favourites on the road. The over/under is set at 42.5 points.