Much like pineapple on pizza, there are those that love the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, and those that don’t.
If the Silver and Black want pineapple, they’re going to have to work for it. On top of being part of the QB-rich AFC West — six division games against top-flight passers — Las Vegas draws the NFC West in non-conference collisions. All of this goes down under the watch of a retooled front office and brand-new coaching staff.
The Raiders’ NFL odds don’t have nice things to say about the team’s postseason chances after just squeaking into the tournament last year. Let’s find out which side of the Sin City fence we sit on with our Las Vegas Raiders 2022 betting preview.
Las Vegas Raiders futures odds
| To win Super Bowl | +2,500 |
| To win conference | +1,250 |
| To win division | +560 |
| Season Win Total O/U | 8.5 (Over -115) |
| To Make Playoffs | Yes +190 / No -220 |
Best futures bet: Under 8.5 wins (-105)
I, for one, love pineapple on pizza. But I do not like the Raiders in 2022. This team backed into some wins in 2021 thanks to injuries/COVID and while it has plenty of shiny pieces — like WR Davante Adams — on the roster, this is still a team undergoing a top-to-bottom restoration after somehow escaping a poisoned 2021 with a playoff berth.
Josh McDaniels is a good hire, especially when you add up all the quality coordinators and assistants joining him in Sin City, but high expectations run into one of the worst schedules, and potential growing pains on both sides of the football are compounded by a barrage of rivals who can flat out ball.
The betting market is at odds over the Raiders (no pun) as some lookahead lines project 9.5 wins and others just eight. The Adams trade and McDaniels hire are positives, but this franchise is still one year out from really contending in the loaded AFC.
Las Vegas Raiders betting overview
What will win bets: Pass rush
The Raiders’ defense may have puffed up its metrics with a soft schedule to end 2021 but there’s no denying how dangerous this defensive front can be in 2022, adding Chandler Jones alongside Maxx Crosby. The Raiders did a good job stuffing the run last year (seventh in EPA allowed/handoff) but must do better against the pass.
New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will keep pass protections guessing with a 3-4 base that can also mix in 4-3. With a slate of opposing passers as good as the one facing Vegas, the stop unit has to make those QBs hurry, which helps out a secondary that recorded a league-low six interceptions last season. A little chaos goes a long way for Silver and Black bettors.
What will lose bets: Offensive line
McDaniels has a capable QB for the first time since Tom Brady, a loaded receiving corps with Adams, TE Darren Waller, and slot star Hunter Renfrow, as well as a deep rushing attack that can also stack the YAC in the short pass game. Now line up all those guys in front of a bunch of rusty lawn chairs…
Las Vegas’ pass protection has been a game of musical chairs the past few seasons, with inadequate talent and injuries preventing any cohesion. Veteran guard Denzelle Good abruptly retired at the start of camp, leaving even more questions as to what the starting O-line will look like.
Las Vegas allowed 40 sacks and ranked 18th in adjusted sack rate at Football Outsiders in 2021. The 2022 schedule brings that protection facemask-to-facemask with plenty of pass rushes that either ranked Top 15 in pressure rate or in total sacks.
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Las Vegas Raiders game-by-game odds
The schedule alone paints an uphill climb for the Raiders in 2022. Las Vegas ranks out T-7th in standard strength of schedule and my QB SOS pits the Raiders against the fourth-rated sked of rival quarterbacks.
Vegas just so happen to play its weakest opponents on the road, save for a Week 7 home stand with Houston (which may be the only clear-cut win for this team). The calendar is bookended with playoff contenders and the middle stretch — while featuring some softer opposition — puts Vegas on the road in four of five weeks.
The lookahead lines are all over the place with this team in 2022. Early spreads released in the spring pegged the Silver and Black with 9.5 wins while other books have Las Vegas as a favorite in only seven games with two pick’ems. And there’s some major discrepancy in individual game lines as well, by as much as 2.5 points (+4 to +6.5 at L.A. Rams in Week 14/-1.5 to +2 vs. 49ers Week 17).
| 1 | @ L.A. Chargers | +3.5 | 52 |
| 2 | vs. Arizona | -2.5 | 51 |
| 3 | @ Tennessee | +2.5 | 49 |
| 4 | vs. Denver | PK | 47.5 |
| 5 | @ Kansas City | +6.5 | 53 |
| 6 | BYE | ||
| 7 | vs. Houston | -8.5 | 48 |
| 8 | @ New Orleans | +2 | 46.5 |
| 9 | @ Jacksonville | -3 | 49 |
| 10 | vs. Indianapolis | -1 | 47.5 |
| 11 | @ Denver | +4.5 | 46 |
| 12 | @ Seattle | -3 | 46.5 |
| 13 | vs. L.A. Chargers | PK | 52 |
| 14 | @ L.A. Rams | +6.5 | 51 |
| 15 | vs. New England | -2.5 | 48.5 |
| 16 | @ Pittsburgh | -1 | 43.5 |
| 17 | vs. San Francisco | +2 | 48 |
| 18 | vs. Kansas City | +2.5 | 49.5 |
Las Vegas Raiders pro betting insights
Hitman, professional bettor (@Hitman428)
This offense is going to be tough to stop, and if they get in front of teams early, Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby give them a very good pass rush. Could be an Over team.
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