Week 2: Las Vegas Raiders vs Arizona Cardinals 9/18/22 NFL Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals do battle Sunday afternoon in a week 2 NFL contest at Allegiant Stadium. The Arizona Cardinals look to avoid their first 0-2 start since the 2018 season. The Las Vegas Raiders look to avoid their first 0-2 start since the 2018 season.

The Arizona Cardinals have won 8 of their last 9 road games. Kyler Murray is completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 193 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Greg Dortch and Marquise Brown have combined for 106 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Eno Benjamin has 3 receptions. The Arizona Cardinals ground game is averaging 103 yards per contest, and Murray leads the way with 29 yards on 5 carries. Defensively, Arizona is allowing 44 points and 488 yards per game. Budda Baker leads the Arizona Cardinals with 13 tackles, Rashard Lawrence has 1 forced fumble and Marco Wilson has 2 pass deflections.

The Las Vegas Raiders have split their last 8 home games. Derek Carr is completing 59.5 percent of his passes for 295 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Davante Adams and Darren Waller have combined for 220 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Brandon Bolden has 2 receptions. The Las Vegas Raiders ground game is averaging 64 yards per contest, and Josh Jacobs leads the way with 57 yards on 10 carries. Defensively, Las Vegas is allowing 24 points and 355 yards per game. Johnathan Abram leads the Las Vegas Raiders with 12 tackles, Nate Hobbs has 1 forced fumble and Denzel Perryman has 1 tackle for loss.

The Cardinals are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 road games and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Raiders are 1-6 ATS vs. a team with a losing record and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games on grass. The under is 4-1 in Cardinals last 5 road games. The under is 5-1 in Raiders last 6 games overall. The Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

I don’t want to overact from one game, but I’m afraid the Arizona Cardinals aren’t all that good of a team this season. Of course, it doesn’t help that DeAndre Hopkins isn’t playing, but their defense was god awful last week across the board. The Las Vegas Raiders had their moments against a good Chargers side and still had a chance to win despite 3 turnovers. With a game under their belt and at home, I’d assume the Raiders will play a cleaner style of ball. Things can change with a game or two, but I don’t like the vibes I’m getting right now from the Cards. Give me the Raiders by a touchdown.