Keep Winning, Baby: Undefeated Raiders Favored For First Time This NFL Season

Thanks to an MVP-level display by quarterback Derek Carr, the Las Vegas Raiders have made a strong start to the season. Carr’s exceptional performance, alongside contributions from two other AFC players of the week, have driven the Raiders to a 2-0 record at the outset of the season.

Maxx Crosby, a defensive end, was awarded AFC Defensive Player of the Week following the season’s first game against the Baltimore Ravens. In the subsequent week, the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week title was given to kicker Daniel Carlson after the Raiders triumphed over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Raiders are set to return to Allegiant Stadium for a 1 p.m. clash with the Miami Dolphins, who are coming into Las Vegas this weekend in a less than optimal state. Their primary quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, will be absent from the game due to fractured ribs. The starting role will be taken over by Jacoby Brissett against the Raiders.

The injury has not significantly altered the betting odds. BetMGM indicates that the Raiders remain the favorites at -4, with the over/under total set at 45.5.

Raiders QB Derek Carr flying into NFL MVP conversation

In the first game of the season on Monday Night Football, Derek Carr steered the Raiders to a 33-27 win over the visiting Ravens in overtime. The game ended when Carr connected with wide receiver Zay Jones on a 31-yard pass play during overtime. Carr’s overall performance in the game included throwing for 435 yards and two touchdowns.

After a home victory, he secured a 26-17 win against the Steelers on the road with 382 yards. In that match, Carr threw two additional touchdowns, one of which was a massive 61-yard pass to the sophomore wide receiver, Henry Ruggs III.

Carr has thrown for 817 yards, the highest in the NFL, and four touchdowns in the season’s first two games. On Sunday, he will take to the Allegiant Stadium field with a quarterback rating of 104.1. However, what’s even more significant is that the Raiders are currently undefeated and share the top spot in the AFC West.

If the Raiders defeat the Dolphins, it will be their first 3-0 start since 2002.

Carr’s strong start has reduced his NFL MVP odds from 50-1 to 25-1 at BetMGM, making the Raiders quarterback a potential dark-horse candidate for NFL MVP.

Raiders odds changes for NFL betting

The Raiders have a 2-0 record against the spread after two games, a result of two consecutive victories as underdogs. Now, due to their undefeated status and the quality of their upcoming competition, they approach Week 3 in a unique position when facing the Dolphins.

Even before the Dolphins announced Tua Tagovailoa would miss the game, Las Vegas had already been favored (-4) for the first time this season.

The Raiders’ quick start has considerably reduced their futures betting projections. Notably, their chances of winning the AFC and Super Bowl have each been slashed by over 50%. Compare the current odds at BetMGM with those from earlier in the year when the 2021 NFL schedule was announced.

• AFC West: Now +1,100 (previously +1,600)
• AFC Championship: Now +1,800 (previously +4,000)
• Super Bowl: Now +3,500 (previously +8,000)
• Will the Raiders reach the playoffs? The odds are currently +110 for ‘Yes’ (previously +310) and -130 for ‘No’ (previously -400).
• Winner of Defensive Rookie of the Year: Trevon Moehrig, odds +2,500 (no change)
• NFL MVP: Derek Carr’s odds have improved to +2500 from +5000.

If the Raiders defeat the Dolphins this week, anticipate a continued drop in their odds.

Raiders part of huge 16-leg parlay win

A player outside Nevada used a $25 promotional bonus bet on a 16-leg NFL moneyline parlay last week on BetMGM. They opted for both favorites and underdogs.

The Raiders, as a +190 underdog, successfully defeated the Steelers. If all the selections in the parlay were accurate, the bettor could have won $726,959. Following is the 16-leg bet:

• Washington Football Team -175
• Chicago Bears -130
• Cleveland Browns -650
• Los Angeles Rams -190
• Buffalo Bills -175
• New England Patriots -250
• San Francisco 49ers -160
• Las Vegas Raiders +190
• Carolina Panthers +150
• Denver Broncos -275
• Arizona Cardinals -190
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers -650
• Dallas Cowboys +135
• Tennessee Titans +190
• Baltimore Ravens +180
• Detroit Lions +400

This gambler successfully predicted the outcome of every game until Monday night when the Lions were defeated by the Green Bay Packers. Nevertheless, BetMGM ensured the bettor didn’t leave empty-handed before the Lions’ Monday night game. The bookmaker made an unusual move by permitting the gambler to cash out early, thus securing him a pre-tax win of $133,000.

This exemption is impossible in Nevada because sportsbooks there don’t provide any early cashout option.