NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds & Picks for Sunday: Vikings vs. Raiders (8/14)

Aug 14, 2022 - 12:48 PM

Week 1 of the NFL preseason wraps up when the Minnesota Vikings travel to the desert for a battle with the Las Vegas Raiders. Vegas already has a preseason game under its belt after playing in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Meanwhile, Minnesota won’t have quarterback Kirk Cousins after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Here’s a betting preview of Sunday’s lone preseason contest.

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Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders (-3.5), Total 36.5 

The biggest question when handicapping this game will be Minnesota’s quarterback situation with Cousins out. Their preliminary depth chart didn’t offer much clarity, as it states the backup quarterbacks being Kellen Mond “or” Sean Mannion. In other words, it isn’t clear who will start for the Vikings.

My guess would be Minnesota gives the second-year Mond the start, although this new coaching regime isn’t as committed to him.

After the primary starters besides Josh Jacobs sat out of the Hall of Fame Game, my guess is we’ll see the bulk of Vegas’ starters for a series or two.

When betting preseason games, I tend to gravitate toward the first half, when we have a bit more certainty regarding who will play. I’ll lean toward the Raiders at a first half spread that should be around -2 or -2.5.

The pick: Lean Raiders first half

What is Betting Against the Spread?

Betting “against the spread” refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.

What is an Over/Under Bet?

Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.

What is a Moneyline Bet?

A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.

Matthew Freedman’s Best Bets After the 2022 NFL Draft >>

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