Henry Roldán
The Vegas Raiders keep struggling this season and next Sunday they’ll have a defining game against the Denver Broncos, playing at home in the fourth week of the schedule.
After losing to the Titans 22-24, the Raiders are one of two winless teams so far this season and the only one with three losses. This is something that they need to change once and for all if they want to have any chance of even fighting for a wild card spot in the tough AFC.
The game represents a fantastic chance for Josh McDaniels’ team to begin its awakening, as they will play a Broncos team that, despite two wins, has yet to score more than 20 points this season and is a direct adversary in the AFC West.
So far, Las Vegas’ main challenge has been its inconsistency in scoring a significant amount of points (and eventually win) since in none of the first three duels have they totaled more than 23 goals.Will they be able to achieve this feat against a Denver defense that has only allowed 17 points?
Predictions, Odds, and Betting Preview for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4 of the 2022 NFL season
Moneyline (-139 from BetMGM)
While Derek Carr recorded 303 yards and two touchdown passes on Sunday against the Titans, the quarterback was intercepted at a key moment in the game as they attempted to get back in the game early in the fourth period. Those errors have cost the Raiders, as seen by the fact that after scoring 20 points in the first half against Arizona, they only scored three in the second half and overtime.
Against Denver, this performance must improve. The defense is set to have a good game against a weak Broncos’ offense that hasn’t found Russell Wilson to be the solution in recent years. However, their opponents’ defense has not conceded more than 17 points in the first three weeks and has forced four turnovers.
Spread (-2.5 from BetMGM)
The Raiders are favored to win their first game of the season since they are playing at home against a team that is coming off an 11-10 win in their last game.
The only game in which Carr did not throw an interception this year was in the second week, against Arizona, at home. Not scoring points in the second half was Vegas’ undoing, but if they manage to get a lead early in the game, the Broncos’ offense doesn’t have the arguments to pull off a comeback.
Moreover, the Broncos usually struggle in away games against the Raiders. In their last seven road games against Las Vegas, they have a 0-6 record playing against the spread, while in the last nine matchups between the two their record against the spread is 1-8.
Over/Under (45.5 from BetMGM)
None of the Broncos’ games this season has gone over 33 points, and this Sunday seems to be no exception. The defense of both teams are among the best in the circuit and although the Raiders’ defense has had ups and downs, it has all the arguments to be a headache for Russell Wilson and company.
Las Vegas averages 21 points scored per game, but Denver’s offense averages just 14. In addition, the Under has occurred in the Raiders’ last five home games and in nine of the last 11 meetings between these two teams.
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Las Vegas Raiders Future Odds After Week 4
Over/Under wins in the season: Over 6.5 (-132 of BetMGM) / Under 6.5 (+110 of BetMGM)
The Raiders’ slow start to the season has made their postseason expectations quite complicated, especially since many don’t believe they are capable of winning more than eight games in the remainder of the schedule.
They might, though, surpass the seven-game requirement if they defeat Denver on Sunday. Their road games against the Jaguars, Broncos, Seahawks, and Steelers are achievable, but their games against the Chiefs, Saints, and Rams, who are far more difficult to beat, are questionable.
In addition, at home they’ll be playing against accessible opponents such as the Texans, Colts, Patriots and 49ers. At least three of those games could end in victory, as well as three of the above-mentioned away games. Of course, everything depends on their winning this Sunday.
Raiders win AFC West (+2500 from BetMGM)
In one fell swoop, the Raiders went from (+1600) to (+2500) in their aspirations to win the division. Falling 0-3 in such a tough group seems impossible to reverse, despite the fact that the Chiefs and Chargers, the two leading contenders to win the AFC West, lost last week.
Las Vegas’ chances depend on winning the remaining head-to-head matchups, and a good start would be to come out on top in Kansas City during week five.
Raiders win AFC Conference (+5000 from BetMGM)
If the Raiders find it tough to win their division, it will be even more difficult for them to win the AFC, given that they will have to defeat the Chargers, Chiefs, and even a much more difficult opposition in the Bills. They must improve a lot and get on track to at least fight for a wild card spot.
Raiders win Super Bowl (+9900 from BetMGM)
Las Vegas doesn’t have a bad roster. The organization strengthened well in the preseason, but the team seems to be adapting to the new system of playing brought in by head coach Josh McDaniels. The Raiders are going to improve, but they need to do it fast before the postseason train passes them by. This is more than enough reason to think that they are a long way from winning the Super Bowl.
Derek Carr wins the MVP (+4000 from BetMGM).
Derek Carr’s candidacy for a probable MVP is hindered not only by the fact that the Raiders have yet to win, but also by his inconsistency in crucial times for the team, which will undoubtedly cost him votes when the time comes.
While he has 850 yards in two games, he has almost as many interceptions (4) as touchdowns thrown (6). Additionally, his pass completion percentage is just 60.8% and his QB rating is 85.1, so far the second lowest of his career.
