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Las Vegas Raiders Preview

Big changes have come to the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason, heightening the excitement ahead of the 2022 NFL season. However, it hasn’t transcended the NFL betting markets where expectations are relatively low in proportion to the excitement felt among Sin City’s fans.

The Raiders prop up the AFC West odds market as the fourth bet to win the division title. They’re also a distant shout in the AFC and Super Bowl LVII betting markets.

Las Vegas Raiders Preview
Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Read on for all you need to know about the Las Vegas Raiders in this preseason series of NFL betting previews. We’ll check the latest NFL picks, stats, injury reports, and NFL odds before capping it all off with NFL picks and predictions for your consideration.

Las Vegas Raiders Odds

  • To win AFC West +600
  • To win AFC +1400
  • To win Super Bowl LVII +3000
  • To make Playoffs Yes +140/ No -170

Raiders Offense

The Raider’s offense was augmented by the addition of All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams and the advent of offensive guru Josh McDaniels, who couldn’t pass on the opportunity to take the head coaching job.

The offense was already considered to be one of the more talented rosters before the off-season additions. They finished No. 11 overall on offense in 2021 – this included the sixth-ranked passing game and the 18th-highest scoring team in the league.

McDaniels’ mandate will be to elevate this group and turn it into a top-five unit. For Adams, the hope is that he can flourish in this offense as he did in Green Bay..

Derek Carr is no Aaron Rodgers, though. He is coming off a statistically sound season in which he finished fifth overall with 4,804 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He was, however, also one of the most sacked QBs in the league (40). If there’s one criticism about Carr, it’s that he can get rattled under pressure.

Player to Watch: WR Davante Adams

Raiders Defense

The Raider’s defense finished middle of the pack last season, but they were the seventh leakiest in points allowed (25.8 points per game). Arguably, playing Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert twice and a tough 2021 NFL schedule contributed to those average numbers.

The Raiders’ biggest signing on the defensive side of the ball was Chandler Jones, who along with Maxx Crosby should raise the pass rush to new heights. Cornerbacks Anthony Averett and Rock Ya-Sin will be welcome additions to this defense.

Player to Watch: DE Chandler Jones

Raiders Team Strength

The Raiders improved on both sides of the ball, but the balance tips in favor of the offense right now. The Raiders’ passing game was already pretty good in 2021 as it averaged almost 270 yards per game. With McDaniels calling the plays and Adams catching passes, it should be better. Let’s not forget, Carr still has Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller as options too.

Raiders Team Weakness

The offensive line has been the weakness of this team for some time and despite all of their big-name acquisitions, it appears to be an ongoing concern. The O-line failed to give Carr the protection he needs last season, allowing him to be sacked 40 times.

Raiders Forecast

There’s a lot to like about the Black and Silver. They have talent across the board and they look to be headed in the right direction with McDaniels at the helm. The question is whether it will all come together in his first year as the head coach.

Sometimes things don’t go to plan no matter how good the individual parts look. The AFC West is one of the toughest divisions to master and without some kind of external help, it’s hard to see the Raiders dominating the Chiefs, Chargers, and the new-look Broncos all at the same time.

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