Arizona Cardinals Vs. Las Vegas Raiders Preview (9/18/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

The 0-1 Arizona Cardinals will travel to Allegiant Stadium on Sunday to face off against the 0-1 Las Vegas Raiders at 4:25pm ET. After getting embarrassed by the Kansas City Chiefs last week by a score of 44-21, the Cardinals will be looking to rebound against a Raiders’ squad looking to do the same coming off of a 24-19 loss to the LA Chargers. Who has the edge in this one? Let’s get into it.

Arizona Cardinals Vs. Las Vegas Raiders Betting Odds

The Las Vegas Raiders are -5.5 point favorites and -250 money-line favorites against the +200 Arizona Cardinals. The Over/Under is currently set at 51.5 points. 

Arizona Cardinals Vs. Las Vegas Raiders Prediction

With a -5.5 point spread, it seems like bettors are writing off the Arizona Cardinals this week. While the Chiefs certainly made light work of Kyler Murray and co., it’s not like the Raiders looked fantastic against the Chargers. With three interceptions last week, there seems to be more questions than answers regarding Raiders’ QB Derek Carr, who failed to make work of his talented but expensive ‘weapons’ against a JC Jackson-less Charger secondary. Because of the closer nature of the Chargers vs. Raiders’ game however, it’s understandable that Las Vegas is the betting favorite in this one. That being said, -5.5 is a lot of points considering the Cardinals just lost to one of the best teams in the league. 

Looking over at the Cardinals side, this team was beaten from all angles by the Kansas City Chiefs. While the teams’ secondary remains a mess, QB Kyler Murray made the most out of his receiving core despite the absence of DeAndre Hopkins (SUSP). While the passing-game certainly has a ways-to-go, the fact that Murray led the team in rush yards with 29 is a far bigger concern. Putting up only 103 yards on the ground, expect head coach Kliff Kingsbury to run the ball more frequently in order to get back to the 2021 formula in which the team finished 8th in total rushing yards (NFL.com) and were 11-6 because of it. While I fully expect this offense to turn it around this week, the Cardinals’ secondary looks poised to have another tough week ahead after allowing 9.2 yards per catch against the Chiefs. 

Over to the Raiders, Derek Carr needs to rebound after a dismal performance last week and he has a golden opportunity to do so against Arizona. Last week, Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes put up 360 yards and 5 touchdowns against this Cardinals’ secondary. Despite his inconsistencies, Carr should put up good numbers given that he thrives throwing the ball deep and over-the-top. Given that the Cardinals’ corners hard a hard time closing the gap of separation between the Chiefs’ receivers and themselves, expect Devante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and especially Darren Waller to put up great numbers this week. Though the Raiders’ respective secondary was a question mark coming into the season, the unit played well enough behind second-year corner Nate Hobbs to keep their last game close despite Carr’s plethora of turnovers. 

While I expect the Cardinals to look more in tune with their 2021 style of play offensively, the glaring holes in their secondary will be exposed by a gun-slinging Derek Carr. Other than Budda Baker, I don’t foresee CBs Marco Wilson, Trayvon Mullen, and Byron Murphy Jr. being able to keep up with the likes of Devante Adams, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow, especially if Carr is airing it out. Even if Kyler shows out, the Raiders are too good offensively for the Cardinals to keep up. 

Pick: Raiders 31  | Cardinals 21

Betting Trends

-Raiders are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 2

-Cardinals are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog

Key Injuries

Arizona Cardinals

-DE JJ. Watt (QUESTIONABLE)

-CB Marco Wilson (QUESTIONABLE)

-CB Trayvon Mullen (QUESTIONABLE)

-WR Rondale Moore (QUESTIONABLE)

-OL Justin Pugh (QUESTIONABLE)

-TE Zach Ertz (QUESTIONABLE)

Las Vegas Raiders

-CB Nate Hobbs (PROBABLE)

-S Tre’von Moehrig (QUESTIONABLE)

-LB Denzel Perryman (QUESTIONABLE)

Key Matchups

Check out the key matchups and mismatches for away team vs home team below.

WR Devante Adams vs S Budda Baker

One of the best receivers in the league versus one of the best safeties in the league. For the blatant weaknesses of the Cardinals’ secondary, keep an eye on Adams going up against the one strength in Baker on deep balls and down-the-field throws. 

WR Marquise Brown vs CB Nate Hobbs

With 9 tackles and 2 tackles-for-loss last week, Hobbs was an integral part of the Raiders’ defense. With 4 receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown, Brown should expect more balls coming his way this week with a more balanced-offensive attack. If Hobbs ends up matching opposite Brown, expect a tight battle.

Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart

QB: Kyler Murray
RB1: James Connor
RB2: Eno Benjamin
LWR: AJ Green
RWR: Marquise Brown
SWR: Albert Wilson
TE1: Zach Ertz

Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart

QB: Derek Carr
RB1: Josh Jacobs
RB2: Brandon Bolden
LWR: Devante Adams
RWR: Hunter Renfrow
SWR: Mack Hollins
TE1: Darren Waller