If NFL betting ends by 6pm PT on Sunday, this must be preseason. And yes, it’s true: week 1 of the 2022 NFL preseason comes to an end with:
Minnesota Vikings +4½ at Las Vegas Raiders, over/under 38 points
In brief, here’s the analysis: everything indicates this is the Raiders’ game to lose. On Friday, Vikings starting QB Kirk Cousins, who would likely have seen some first-half action at least, was diagnosed with Covid and so won’t play; the news of Cousins’ absence already got a point shaved off the ’spread.
Also in the Raiders’ favor was playing in the Hall of Fame Game. Not only are the boys from Vegas certain to be just that much more comfortable with the playbook then their Minnesota counterparts. Additionally, guaranteed far more Vikings than Raiders suiting up for this game will ultimately crack the roster: i.e., all things being equal, Vegas should look more season-ready.
One top of this, new Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels showed no hesitation in the HOF game for running plays with his potentially high-use regular-season players, not a look that the Vikings are likely to be ready for.
The final indication the Black-and-Silver is the pick here? The money line (ML) on the Raiders is -190. We’re saying take the Las Vegas Raiders -4½ versus Minnesota – and take the over on an O/U of 38 points in a game of offense-first teams.
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