With football season just around the corner, all you degenerate gamblers, sportsbook donors, and college fund blowers have a chance to win your money back with these three Las Vegas Raiders’ future bets.
Reminder: Any bet that says +x means that if the bettor wagers $100, they will win x amount of dollarsÂ
Ex: Odds +5000, $100 bet, $5,000 win
Raiders Future Bet No. 1 – Derek Carr NFL MVP
Bettors should be as all-in on quarterback Derek Carr as the Raiders are. Maybe giving him a contract that exceeds $100 million is too rich for your blood. Be that as it may, you should bet on him to win the MVP. With +2500 odds, Carr offers a great value bet with little risk and the chance for a high reward.
Prior to the tragedy surrounding Henry Ruggs III, Carr was playing at an elite level. After Ruggs’ last game in Week 7, Carr had 2,269 yards through the air, a 68 completion percentage, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Oh, and he had only three incompletions in Ruggs’ final game.
As far as his completion percentage and yards, those are MVP-worthy numbers for that point in the season. However, the touchdowns and interceptions are where Carr falls flat. If only he were paired with a wide receiver to replace Ruggs and a new play caller that could help with his ongoing red zone woes.
Perhaps there is help. Help comes in the form of All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, who had 11 touchdowns last year. Carr’s new head coach, Josh McDaniels, who called plays for the 11th most efficient red zone offense in New England, should also benefit Carr.
Carr finished third in league MVP voting in 2016. So, with Adams, arguably football’s best wide receiver; Hunter Renfrow, an underrated slot receiver and athletic freak at tight end; Darren Waller, and McDaniels calling the plays, Carr should be in the MVP conversation again. To win $2,500 on a $100 bet is not a bad risk, especially when Carr will be given every opportunity to excel at an elite level.
Raiders Future Bet No. 2 – Making the playoffs, Baby!
The current odds to make the playoffs for the Raiders are +190, per Covers.com.
So, while it won’t be as high a reward as Carr for MVP bet, it still offers value. That’s because it’s a ten-win team that improved on both sides of the ball on paper. At the very least, they repeat their win total from 2021. While this is easily the toughest division in the NFL, let’s not forget that the Raiders did end up in second place last year and made the playoffs.
With Adams and McDaniels on offense, the Raiders have a good chance of making it to the playoffs for the second year in a row. The additions of Chandler Jones and Rock Ya-Sin should have a positive impact on the defensive side as well. This is a bet that’s good to make if you believe Carr is going to have a spectacular season since that almost guarantees the Raiders are in the playoff hunt.
While the payout isn’t substantial, this bet carries little risk and has a high chance of cashing out. This isn’t a lottery ticket; this is more of a short-term investment.
Raiders Future Bet No. 3 – “Mad” Maxx Crosby Defensive Player of the Year
According to the New York Post, the odds stand at +3000 Maxx for Crosby to get Defensive Player of the Year. Since having his name called, Crosby has recorded 25 sacks, 57 quarterback hits, and a 91.4 Pro Football Focus grade. Last year, to go along with his high PFF grade, Crosby added eight sacks, earning the first Pro Bowl appearance of his career.
If Crosby’s ascension continues upward, then his next stop is clearly DPOY. With a new respected defensive coordinator in Patrick Graham and the best player he’s ever had opposite of him in Jones, Crosby has a chance for a special season. And with this special season, bettors can cash in on Crosby’s odds to win the award.
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*Top Photo: Dylan Buell/Getty Images