Antonio Pierce and his Las Vegas Raiders head into the 2024 NFL season with renewed optimism. Veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew steps in under center as the Raiders aim to make a playoff push.
In Odds Shark's Las Vegas Raiders season betting preview, I'll analyze the latest odds, key matchups, and try to find some value on the silver and black. Let's dive in:
2024 Las Vegas Raiders Super Bowl & AFC Odds
Odds as of August 29
Unless you truly believe in Minshew mania, there are few Raiders NFL futures to get excited about.
Las Vegas aims to play the role of spoiler in 2024. As their Super Bowl odds attest, the Raiders are no closer to contending for a championship than they have been in the past decade. 2016's 12-4 SU season under Jack Del Rio seems like a distant memory.
The Raiders currently hold the seventh lowest odds to win it all and the eighth highest strength of schedule. Sorry Raiders fans, I'm with the books on this one. I can't back the Raiders to win in any of these markets.
2024 Las Vegas Raiders Win Total Odds
Odds as of August 29
Miraculously the Raiders finished 5-1 ATS as a home favorite and 10-6-1 overall in 2023. But, that's unlikely to happen repeat itself in 2024. They finished the season on a 7-1-1 ATS run with the new coach factor working in their favor. That being said, six wins seems just about right for this squad at this point in their development.
Rather than backing Las Vegas in these futures markets, consider them to pull off a few miraculous upsets this season instead. The Raiders beat the Miami Dolphins as 14-point underdogs, and Kansas City Chiefs as 11-point dogs last season. Watch those Raiders moneylines against heavy favorites, they look like a perfect team to back as an underdog.
2024 Las Vegas Raiders Playoff Odds
Odds as of August 29
It's important to note, the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders have made the playoffs just three times in the past 20 NFL seasons. The Raiders odds to make the playoffs point to books being less than impressed with starting quarterback Gardner Minshew.
If you're debating whether to bet on Las Vegas to make the playoffs, consider the fact that they would have to either beat out the Kansas City Chiefs to win the division (unlikely). Or, battle with the likes of the Chargers in the AFC West, the Ravens/Bengal/Browns, as well as the Texans/Jaguars, or Bills/Dolphins/Jets to secure one of just three wildcard berths. Unfortunately, every team on this list is far more talented than the Raiders current squad. Pass on the Raiders playoff market for now.
2024 Las Vegas Raiders NFL Defensive Player of the Year Odds
Odds as of August 29
Maxx Crosby is one of the most lethal pass-rushers in the NFL. He's racked up 27 sacks and an enormous 97 pressures over the past two years while playing an outrageous amount of snaps for the Raiders.
He's far and away Las Vegas' best defensive player, and his +1000 NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds reflect that. However, I still can't get behind this bet. The Raiders project to be a below-average defense as a unit. On top of that, they're very likely to trail in a lot of games this season, and its tough to envision any semblance of success. While the Defensive Player of the Year award is tied more closely to stats than team fortunes, I think the Raiders offensive failures will spread to the rest of the team. Pass on Crosby in this market for now.