Patriots vs. Raiders Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 3 Odds, Prediction
One of just two teams scheduled to play four preseason games this month, the Raiders have effectively managed the increased workload with three straight wins, capped by last week’s 15-13 victory in Miami. The patriots are coming off an impressive defensive performance in last week’s 20-10 win over the visiting Carolina Panthers, and are also unbeaten in five straight preseason road contests.
The point spread is unchanged since opening with the Raiders perched as 1-point favourites to win on the NFL odds, despite Las Vegas receiving the heavy backing of 74 per cent of sports bettors. The Patriots meanwhile are pegged as +101 moneyline underdogs. The total has fluctuated wildly since opening at 37. With the OVER garnering 67 per cent of the betting action, the total climbed as high as 38 before settling at its current position at 37.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Friday night’s matchup at Allegiant Stadium marks the first preseason meeting between these teams since 1995, and the Patriots’ first ever visit to Las Vegas. Overall, the Patriots have dominated in head-to-head action, posting six straight victories over the Raiders, capped by a 36-20 home win in September 2020. However, with the total going UNDER in three of their past four clashes, the Patriots have rewarded loyal sports betting fans with an against the spread win just once in six meetings with Las Vegas.
New England has steadily produced in preseason action in recent years, winning and covering in 10 of 13 contests since 2017. The Raiders have also amassed an impressive track record in August play. After posting outright wins in their first three preseason contests of the season, Las Vegas has now won and covered in 11 of 14 August contests.
New England Patriots
Starters were a fixture in practice to begin the week, but how many of them will see significant playing time on Friday remains to be seen. Hampered by injury at the start of training camp, second-year quarterback Mac Jones looked steady in limited duty to start last week’s clash with Carolina. Rookie passer Bailey Zappe has taken most of the snaps so far this preseason, and has not looked out of place while piling up 378 passing yards and one score against two picks. However, it would be no surprise to see veteran pivot Bryan Hoyer take on an increased workload in the preseason finale.
The bad news for New England is that promising rookie receiver Tyquan Thornton will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a collarbone injury last week.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders held their own while facing the Dolphins’ starters early on in last week’s narrow win in Miami. Las Vegas limited the Dolphins to field goals on a pair of deep drives, and short circuited a third drive late in the half by forcing a fumble. Points came at a premium for the Raiders, who were also forced to settle for field goals in two second-half red zone drives.
After he skipped the trip to Miami last week, Raiders fans should not expect to see much of quarterback Derek Carr on Friday. In fact, with the club shipping Nick Mullens to Minnesota in a trade earlier this week, former Patriots pivot Jarrett Stidham looks to have claimed the backup role, and will likely face his former teammates on Friday night.
NE
LV