The Las Vegas Raiders not only turned things around on the field after Antonio Pierce replaced Josh McDaniels last season — going 5-4 with Pierce as the interim head coach — but they also bounced back for bettors, going 7-1-1 against the spread over their final nine games.
So, with the interim tag removed from Pierce’s title, how much can the Raiders compete in an AFC West Division where the Kansas City Chiefs currently rule?
Check out the betting preview for the Raiders in 2024.
Las Vegas Raiders Futures Odds
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook unless noted otherwise.
Super Bowl Odds: +10000
AFC Odds: +6000
AFC West Division Odds: +900
Win Total: 6.5 – Over (-135)/Under (+115)
To Make/Miss Playoffs: Make (+300)/Miss (-400)
Raiders Offense
The Raiders struggled offensively last season, finishing in the bottom 10 in both scoring offense (23rd) and total offense (27th). While they did have that memorable 63-point effort against the Los Angeles Chargers, they also were shut out by the Minnesota Vikings the previous week.
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At quarterback, Gardner Minshew signed a two-year, $25 million deal and has beaten out Aidan O’Connell for the starting spot. And not only will Minshew have some talented receivers in Davante Adams and Jakobi Myers to throw to, but the Raiders also drafted tight end Brock Bowers, who comes in with plenty of hype.
Zamir White started the final four games last season and was impressive, averaging 99.3 rush YPG and 4.7 yards a carry. If he can carry that momentum into the 2024 season, the Raiders’ offense could be dramatically improved.
Raiders Defense
The Raiders had a top-10 scoring defense last season (19.5 PPG, ninth), but they still would like to improve a unit that ranked in the middle of the pack in yards allowed (330.9 YPG, 15th).
The signing of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (four years, $110 million) away from the Miami Dolphins was a major offseason move, and with Wilkins on the same defensive line as edge rusher Maxx Crosby, this unit could be dominant in 2024.
One Betting Trend To Know
The Raiders are 9-3 against the spread as a home favorite over the last two years, including a 5-1 ATS record last season. While the schedule only gives them eight home games this season, the Raiders could be favored in five of them, so this trend is definitely worth following.
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Las Vegas doesn’t play its first home game until Week 3, but that home opener is against last season’s worst team — the Carolina Panthers. So, we’re likely to see if this trend gets off to a similar start early on this season.
Best Bet for Raiders in 2024
While the Raiders played well after Pierce became head coach, I think there is value to taking the under on a 6.5 win total. While they can take advantage of playing in an NFC South where last year’s division winner, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had just a 9-8 record, the Raiders also will play the AFC North, where all four teams finished with a winning record in 2023.
Offense will be key for this team, and this was a problem area last season. And while there have been some additions that could improve that side of the ball, the quarterback options are less than elite.
A 6-11 record is not out of the question for this season.
