NFL Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Rams Preview (12/8/22): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart

Other than maybe my beloved Detroit Lions, no team in the NFL has completely transformed for the better in the middle of the season than the Las Vegas Raiders. Their offense has found new life off the back of their ground game and have rolled as of late with three wins in a row. Can they make it four with the injury riddled Rams on deck?

Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Rams Betting Odds

Oddsmakers tend to think so as they opened the Raiders at -4 on the lookahead line. Bettors are aligned as well, taking the Raiders to up to -6 as of writing. Not only do they have momentum, but they are going against a depleted Rams squad who are missing the likes of Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald.

As for the total, points are expected to be put on the board frequently as oddsmakers set the total at 43 on the open. Bettors were quick to pounce on the over, taking it up to as high as 44.5. This comes as little surprise as the Raiders field a horrible defense while the Rams have their own defensive production issues as well in defending the pass.

Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Rams Prediction

The Pick: Raiders -6

Even though the Ram’s covered in their first full game under John Wolford, it was in no thanks because of him. Even benefiting going against one of the worst secondaries in football, Wolford was still unable to find success as he threw for 178 yards and two interceptions. 

While the Raiders secondary is not ideal either, they are a slight step up in quality and I fail to see how Wolford will turn it around on short notice. They needed to rely on the inconsistent Cam Akers to find life on the ground, bringing in two touchdowns on 60 yards.

Backup quarterbacks are tough to plan for in their first game but now the Raiders have tape on Wolford, and I expect the Ram’s to not find success twice in a row ATS. Without a consistent all-around offense, the Raiders can benefit from stacking the box and stop the run and force Wolford into beating them in long conversions.

As for the Raiders offense, I expect a big game from Derek Carr who goes into this one against a very weak secondary. After reconnecting with star wideout DeVante Adams, who finished with 177 yards and two touchdowns, they now get a secondary that ranks 26th in Def Pass DVOA. 

They would be wise to lean on the pass to stretch out the defense as the Rams are a top-10 unit in Def Rush DVOA. Even with big name corners in the secondary, the Rams inability to defend the pass have been alarming.

Betting Trends

• The Raiders are 10-2 ATS when rushing for over 150 yards in their previous game
• The Under is 4-1 in their last five head-to-head matchups

Key Injuries

Las Vegas Raiders Injuries: Lester Cotton Sr (Q), Darren Waller (O)

Los Angeles Rams Injuries: Terrell Lewis (O), Ernest Jones (Q), Troy Hill (Q), Matthew Stafford (O), Lance McCutcheon (O), Aaron Donald (D), Cooper Kupp (O)

Key Matchups

Will Josh Jacobs be able to find success on the ground against the Rams vaunted rush defense?

Josh Jacobs vs Rams rush defense

Speaking of defending the run, the Rams will have their hands full in trying to bring down star running back Josh Jacobs who has been a man possessed this season. Arguably the best running back today, Jacobs comes off a 150+ yard performance and has been the main catalyst behind the Raiders success.

His production will be tested right away as the Rams are a top defensive unit in stopping the run. Even without Aaron Donald, the Rams held all Seahawks running backs to under 40 yards each. If Derek Carr can get the pass game going, this will stretch out the Rams defense for Jacobs to find easier success on the ground and keep the opposing defense reeling. 

Verdict

I expect the Rams offense to fall back from reality hard with Wolford under center and on short notice against the red-hot Raiders. With Carr reconnecting with Adams through the air and stretching out the defense for Josh Jacobs, the Raiders will set a scoring pace that the Seahawks cannot keep up with.

Las Vegas Raiders Depth Chart

QB: Derek Carr
RB1: Josh Jacobs
RB2: Brandon Bolden
LWR: DeVante Adams
RWR: DJ Turner
SWR: Mack Hollins
TE1: Foster Moreau

Los Angeles Rams Depth Chart

QB: John Wolford
RB1: Kyren Williams
RB2: Cam Akers
LWR: Ben Skowronek
RWR: Van Jefferson
SWR: Brandon Powell
TE1: Tyler Higbee