The Raiders kicked off this NFL preseason with a win in the Hall of Fame Game. They haven’t lost since, carrying an undefeated 3-0 record into Friday’s exhibition finale against the Patriots (1-1).
Neither team is expected to play its starters for an extended run, which should benefit the favored hosts after three wins led by the second unit.
Here’s how we’re betting Friday’s contest, which kicks off at 8:15 pm ET.
Raiders vs. Patriots oxxz (via BetMGM)
- Raiders -1.5 (-110), moneyline -120
- Patriots +1.5 (-110), moneyline even
- O/U 36.5 (-110)
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Raiders vs. Patriots prediction and analysis
This has been a fairly pedestrian preseason for Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who owns a 50-37 lifetime record in exhibition games and was riding a 9-2 run entering this year. His starters haven’t really done him any favors – Mac Jones completed just four of his eight passes in the last win over the Panthers, who shelved their starters and still stifled New England’s first unit.
How much could this game mean to Belichick’s discipline, Josh McDaniels, whose Raiders have won all three games despite zero snaps from starting quarterback Derek Carr? McDaniels has been mum about whether his starters will see any extended playing time on Friday’s finale. That leaves potential value for those betting on Las Vegas, as this line seems to presume little to no action from the team’s key starters.
Given that first-year coach McDaniels is implementing a new offense that also features a new star wideout, it’s reasonable to expect at least a drive or two from the regulars in their final dress rehearsal. Even if we do see a backup-fest, though, that also benefits the Raiders, whose second unit has been stout all preseason.
Las Vegas led wire-to-wire in each of its first two exhibition wins and forced three fumbles to swing the tides in last week’s win over the Dolphins, who have one of the deepest quarterback rooms in the NFL – a usual harbinger of success in the preseason. The Raiders also committed just two penalties last week and haven’t turned it over once all preseason, which is a good sign for the level of execution we can expect on Friday.
Betting on the NFL?
All of this is to say that, assuming both teams’ starters see similar action, Las Vegas has earned the right to be favored here. McDaniels and former Patriots starter Jarrett Stidham could also have a little extra motivation to win this one for the home team, which has the better and deeper roster, to boot.
Raiders vs. Patriots pick
Raiders -1.5 (-110 BetMGM)
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