Are you looking to make things a little more interesting on Monday night? Here are the smartest, safest, and riskiest bets of the week regarding the Las Vegas Raiders. All lines are via Draft Kings as of Saturday morning.
Smartest Bet: Raiders Moneyline (+175)
With all of the recent injuries the Ravens have suffered, this line has gotten a little less juicy. However, that also makes this a little safer of a bet. I would have said that this game was a toss-up, slightly leaning in Baltimore’s favor. Now, I’m honestly surprised that Las Vegas isn’t the favorite. Also, I like the Moneyline much more than the spread. If the Raiders lose, it will likely be due to a colossal meltdown, leading to a blowout.
Safest Bet: 1st Half Spread Raiders +3 (-105)
This bet is a slam dunk. Free money. You have a Gruden team in Week 1 up against a somewhat hobbled Ravens team. A fast start for Las Vegas is pretty much guaranteed. The only way they are down by more than a field goal at halftime is if something happens to Derek Carr. The return on investment isn’t great, but we’re talking about safety here.
Risky Bet: 1st Drive Field Goal (+500)
The odds on this are fantastic. If the Raiders start with the ball, odds are they are going to get points. We all know about last year’s struggles to finish drives. A field goal to start the game makes a lot of sense.
On the other side, Baltimore’s offense is going to be limited. That being said, the Raiders defense, while improved, probably won’t be great. Also, Gus Bradley’s defense is designed to bend but not break. The Ravens could easily start with a field goal.
Both teams seem likely to start with a field goal. Also, Daniel Carlson and Justin Tucker are both reliable kickers. At +500 odds, it’s worth putting a few bucks on.
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*Top Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images