NFL betting gets extra sexy in 2020 as we now have football in Sin City with the Las Vegas Raiders finally making the move over from California.
While we have to wait for Week 2 before the Raiders actually play in Vegas, Jon Gruden's squad will be looking to get their season off to a good start with a win as a 3-point road favorite against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
We break down the NFL odds with our free picks and predictions for the Raiders vs. Panthers on September 13. **video
Las Vegas Raiders vs Carolina Panthers betting preview
Weather
It should be a warm game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday with temperatures in the high-70's and just a 20 percent chance of rain. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NFL weather info.
Key Injuries
Raiders: Maliek Collins DT (Probable), Fabien Moreau TE (Probable), Damon Arnette CB (Probable), Marcus Marriota QB (Out), Tyrell Williams WR (Out)
Panthers: Dennis Daley G (Out), Seth Roberts WR (Probable), Ian Thomas TE (Probable), Eli Apple CB (Out)
Find our latest NFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 5-1 in the Panthers last 6 games overall. Find more NFL betting trends for Raiders vs. Panthers.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Raiders went 7-9 in 2019, but started the season off strong, going 6-4 through the first 10 games of the year with each of those losses coming against playoff-bound teams. They've since bolstered their squad with an infusion of speed on offense and solid veterans on defense, but this pick has more to do with fading the Panthers than it does with backing the Raiders.
The Raiders still have plenty of holes on both sides of the ball but have enough talent to flirt with a .500 record once again. On the other hand, the Panthers might be the worst team in the league.
Sure Teddy Bridgewater will be an upgrade on Kyle Allen but he's more solid than spectacular, especially behind a questionable offensive line that looks nothing like the wall he had protecting him in New Orleans. And even with Christian McCaffrey piling up nearly 2,400 yards of offense last year, the Panthers still ranked just 20th in the league in scoring.
As for Carolina's defense, they allowed the second-most points in the league last year and should be even worse this season. Take the Raiders to win and cover.
PREDICTION: Las Vegas -3 (-110)
Over/Under pick
It should be rainy on Sunday but don't expect that to significantly affect either offense. If these offensive coordinators are smart, neither Bridgewater nor Vegas QB Derek Carr will be asked to attack downfield much this season.
Both teams should lean on their running games, with Carolina boasting one of the best backs in the business in McCaffrey and Vegas handing the ball off to Josh Jacobs, who ran for 1,150 yards and 4.8 yards per carry in 13 games as a rookie in 2019.
Carolina had a tumultuous offseason, losing four of their five most productive defensive lineman while also saying farewell to their two top defensive backs in James Bradberry and Eric Reid. But the most damaging loss of all was the early retirement of All-Pro linebacker Luke Keuchly who called it quits at the age of 29 due to injury concerns.
The Panthers were already terrible on defense, surrendering 143.5 rushing yards per game and a league-worst 5.2 ypc last year, and could reach new levels of mediocrity in 2020. Take the Over.
PREDICTION: Over 47.5 (-110)
Player Prop
Jacobs led the Raiders in touchdowns in 2019, rushing for seven scores on the ground, and Las Vegas will need him to be able to convert on the goal line this season. While Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards are promising young wide receivers, they still haven't played a single game in the NFL, so counting on them in the Red Zone doesn't seem like the best idea.
As for tight end Darren Waller, despite 1145 receiving yards last season, he contributed just three touchdowns. Look for Jacobs to get lots of looks at the goal line and take him to score the first touchdown of the game.
PREDICTION: Josh Jacobs first touchdown scorer (+475)
Raiders vs Panthers betting card
- Las Vegas -3 (-110)
- Over 47.5 (-110)
- Josh Jacobs first touchdown scorer (+475)
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