For the second straight season under Jon Gruden’s watch, the Las Vegas Raiders got out to a commanding start that had it on course to qualify for the playoffs only to see the bottom drop out. The end result was watching teams in the postseason from the couch instead of competing against them on the gridiron. Vegas logged an 8-8 SU record which amounted to a single game improvement from the prior campaign. Due to some head scratching moves made by the front office both in the NFL Draft and free agency, online sportsbooks expect the Silver and Black to take a step back in 2021-22 regardless of the fact that nine of its 17 played games will take place in a jam-packed Allegiant Stadium for the first time since relocating to Sin City. The offensive makeup is on par with some of the best in the league evidenced by ranking out amongst the top-10 in both total yards and scoring, but the defense still leaves plenty to worry about heading into the NFL betting season. As improved the AFC West looks to be this season, matching last season’s 8-game season win total could prove to be quite the chore.
Las Vegas Raiders Season Win Total: 7 Over -111
Linemakers aren’t expecting another second place AFC West finish with the Raiders +1800 well off the pace of the Chargers +540 and Broncos +560. Kansas City clocking in at -325 to win the division lets it be known that bragging rights are likely to once go to the 5-time defending champs. The betting markets look to have the Raiders pegged as taking a step backwards in the fourth season of Gruden’s second reign. Las Vegas saw its win total hit the board at 7.5 at the end of March. Since then, it’s moved to an even 7 with standard juice attached to the over. With a schedule strength that ranks out as the third toughest overall per Sharp Football Stats and playing within a division that could send two if not three teams to the playoffs, it’s tough to envision the Raiders taking another step forward with the limited moves to improve the overall roster made during the offseason.
NFL Regular Season Wins Odds at BookMaker
Las Vegas Raiders Football Schedule
Week 1: Ravens at Raiders, Monday, September 13, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Week 2: Raiders at Steelers, Sunday, September 19, 1 p.m. ET
Week 3: Dolphins at Raiders, Sunday, September 26, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 4: Raiders at Chargers, Monday, October 4, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Week 5: Bears at Raiders, Sunday, October 10, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 6: Raiders at Broncos, Sunday, October 17, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 7: Eagles at Raiders, Sunday, October 24, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 8: Bye Week
Week 9: Raiders at Giants, Sunday, November 7, 1 p.m. ET
Week 10: Chiefs at Raiders, Sunday, November 14, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Week 11: Bengals at Raiders, Sunday, November 21, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 12: Raiders at Cowboys, Thursday, November 25, 4:30 p.m. ET
Week 13: Washington at Raiders, Sunday, December 5, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 14: Raiders at Chiefs, Sunday, December 12, 1 p.m. ET
Week 15: Raiders at Browns, Sunday, December 19, 1 p.m. ET
Week 16: Broncos at Raiders, Sunday, December 26, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 17: Raiders at Colts, Sunday, January 2, 1 p.m. ET
Week 18: Chargers at Raiders, Sunday, January 9, 4:25 p.m. ET
Las Vegas Raiders Season Win Total Analysis
The Raiders ended up finishing second in the division by winning four of six played games. It swept the Broncos and split with both the Chargers and Chiefs. If it can mimic or better those results, it will have an excellent shot to surpass what looks to be a very manageable 7-game win total. But should it fail to get the job done, it will be darn near close to impossible! Just take a look at the schedule. They get the Ravens at home in the first installment of Monday Night Football, and then travel to Pittsburgh to take on a Steelers outfit in Heinz Field where it’s dropped its last two visits by the aggregate score of 73-38. Then it’s the Dolphins at home followed by a trip to Los Angeles for its first divisional bout with the Chargers. Then it’s the Bears at home, Broncos on the road and Eagles at home going into the bye. It’s within the realm of possibilities that Las Vegas scores at best two wins during that stretch. The back half of the schedule isn’t fun either with two clashes against the Chiefs lined up along with matchups against the Cowboys, Washington Football Team, Browns and Colts. In all, the Raiders will run up against the AFC North, NFC East, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals and all of its divisional counterparts – not good!
My biggest issue with the Raiders entering 2021-22 is that it felt the need to retool the offensive line even though it was one of the main driving forces to the team’s overall success last season. Because of it, Pro Football Focus currently has the unit ranked No. 25 out of 32 teams. That doesn’t bode well for those looking to back Josh Jacobs in both fantasy or a player props perspective. And why the heck did Mike Mayock throw a Brinks Truck worth of cash at Kenyan Drake to muck the backfield up even more than it was a season ago?! The selection of Alex Leatherwood in the first round was also a huge head scratcher with the defensive side of the ball begging for help. This franchise just continues to cut off its nose to spite its face. I just don’t get it. It’s a shame too since there is enough talent on offense to get this team back into the playoffs. Unfortunately, the defense still stinks out loud even with the offseason acquisition of Yannick Ngakoue who’s considered to be an above average pass rusher. I’ve got Vegas bringing up the rear of the division in 2021-22, and last year no bottom feeder finished with more than six wins.
Las Vegas Raiders Season Win Total Prediction: Under 7
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