Table of Contents
Betting Matchup Preview
Game Details
- Who: Arizona Cardinals vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- When: Sunday, September 18 (Week 2)
- Time: 1:25 p.m. PT
- Where: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, NV)
Betting Odds Summary (FanDuel)
- Spread: Cardinals +5.5 (-110), Raiders -5.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Cardinals +198, Raiders -240
- Total: Over/Under 51.5 (-114/-106)
Note: Odds and lines are current at the time of writing and subject to change.
Both teams enter this matchup 0-1, but the Las Vegas Raiders looked much better than the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1.
Arizona was embarrassed by Kansas City in a 44-21 home loss. Kliff Kingsbury is on the hot seat after his lackluster performance.
Las Vegas lost a challenging game to the Los Angeles Chargers, bolstered by a high-performing Justin Herbert behind center at a home-field Week 1 opener.
Las Vegas and Arizona lost to two of the NFL’s top teams. They both approach Week 2 seeking their first win of the season.
What does this mean for this matchup? Which team are we betting on?
Perhaps neither. There are many different ways to bet on this NFL game, and we’re here to give you the best options.
Spread, Moneyline, Total: Cardinals vs. Raiders
Kansas City dominated Arizona on Cardinals turf. Kansas City’s offense led the NFL in expected points added per play and Success Rate (a stat that measures how often the offense gains the necessary yardage to move the chains). Kansas City finished top-15 in both stats on defense, too.
We’re worried about Arizona. Kingsbury is a bad coach, and his refusal to make adjustments often make his play-calling stale and predictable. The roster is also top-heavy, lacking depth behind superstars Kyler Murray and Budda Baker.
We have similar concerns about Las Vegas. The Raiders are shaky on the offensive line and in the secondary, and rookie head coach Josh McDaniels is unproven.
However, Las Vegas has one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. There is no shortage of big-name superstars including Derek Carr, Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs.
The Raiders have the best defensive end tandem in football. Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones recorded four quarterback hits and three tackles for loss in Week 1. Those two will terrorize opposing quarterbacks all season long.
Las Vegas faced the best overall roster in the NFL in Week 1 on the road. The Raiders now face an inferior team for their home season opener.
We love the Raiders in Week 2; they’re a reasonable bet to cover the 5.5-point spread.
Our Pick: Las Vegas Raiders -5.5 (-110) at FanDuel Sportsbook
Player Prop Bets: Cardinals vs. Raiders
- Kyler Murray Over 29.5 Rush Yards (-115) at DraftKings Sportsbook
As mentioned, the Raiders have an excellent pass rush. Murray is going to be pressured for 60 minutes in this game.
Murray will have to scramble to avoid the rush. But Murray is one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the NFL. He has rushed for at least 500 yards in each of the last three seasons.
Murray has rushed for at least 30 yards in six of his last eight games, and we believe he will do it again on Sunday.
Our Same-Game Parlay
Our Cardinals vs. Raiders same-game parlay has +165 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Raiders To Win (+198)
- Derek Carr 250+ Passing Yards
- Davante Adams 80+ Receiving Yards
We believe the Raiders will win this game. They probably do that by Carr and Adams lighting up the Arizona defense.
Baker is Arizona’s best defensive player. However, the Cardinals don’t have a cornerback that can reliably cover Adams.
Adams is also Carr’s favorite target, having accumulated 10 receptions on 17 targets for 141 yards in Week 1 against high quality cornerbacks.
Carr and Adams should produce big numbers in a win on Sunday.
