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.
The Las Vegas Raiders finished with a 6-11 record at the end of the season. Several players performed well, but some disappointed many. The team had a lot of hype, and some players exceeded expectations.
There are two questions that will define the Las Vegas Raiders' offseason.
Derek Carr is leaving the Las Vegas Raiders. He was benched in the last two games of the season. The team went 6-9 in his starts. They have the seventh pick in 2023 NFL Draft. Carr threw 14 interceptions this season, which ties a career-high. His 60.8% completion percentage and 86.3 passer rating are the worst since his rookie season and he threw for 24 touchdowns and posted a 55.5 QBR.
The Las Vegas Raiders benched Derek Carr and are looking for a new quarterback. According to NFL Insider Albert Breer, the Raiders want to sign Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. Brady will become an unrestricted free agent in 2023.
The house band of the Las Vegas Raiders played a cover of Slayer's "South of Heaven" at the home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The team's house orchestra is a 19-piece ensemble led by composer, conductor and trumpeter David Perrico. Slayer are a huge team fan. They are planning to retire in 2019. Derek Carr is the team quarterback. He has a contract until 2025. The Raiders are considering trading him. It's possible they will trade him before the end of this season. There are rumors that Derek will be traded. His contract is not a no-trade clause.
The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Las Vegas Raiders 31-13 at Allegiant Stadium. The Chiefs are now 14-3 on the season. Las Nevada Raiders are 6-11 and have a tumultuous offseason ahead.
Kansas City Chiefs beat Las Vegas Raiders 31-13 in the season finale. The Chiefs are the AFC's top seed. It was the first NFL game since Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest. He remains in critical condition. The game was postponed. Monday night's Buffalo-Cincinnati game is canceled. Chiefs coach Andy Reid says the team wants to have fun and score. They could play the Bills or Bengals in AFC championship on a neutral field. Both teams wore black shirts in warmups that read "LOVE FOR DAMAR" with his No. 3 in middle. Mahomes wore a hoodie with a drawing of the player with "HAMLIN STRONG" below it.