Vikings vs Raiders Odds, Prediction, Pick
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -105 | 40.5 -110o / -110u | -155 |
| Raiders Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -115 | 40.5 -110o / -110u | +135 |
Vikings vs Raiders odds for NFL Week 14 have visiting Minnesota installed as a consensus 3-point favorite on the spread with an over/under of 40.5. My NFL pick is on the home underdog.
The Joshua Dobbs hype train has come to a screeching halt as stagnant offensive performances have led to back-to-back losses for the Vikings. There have been calls for Dobbs to be benched for Nick Mullens, but head coach Kevin O’Connell has confirmed that Dobbs will get another shot. Dobbs will be getting a huge reinforcement in the form of star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who is active for the first time since Week 5.
Meanwhile, the Raiders found a bit of a spark with rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell and interim head coach Antonio Pierce, but a brutal back-to-back stretch against the Dolphins and Chiefs led to two straight losses.
Where does that leave us this week? Well, let's preview Minnesota-Las Vegas and get to my Vikings vs Raiders prediction.
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Raiders vs Vikings Prediction
Raiders vs. Vikings
Matchup Analysis
Minnesota and Vegas are each in the midst of two-game losing streaks and had much needed byes in Week 13. Both teams are also in similar spots. The Vikings would be in the playoffs if they were to start today, but a loss would put them in danger of fading away late in the season. The Raiders are on the outside looking in at the AFC playoff race, but a win could keep their playoff hopes alive.
Dobbs appeared to be Minnesota's savior after a couple of dazzling performances. However, the sheen has started to wear off with consecutive losses against mediocre competition. This is similar to what we saw in Arizona to start the year as Dobbs beat the Cowboys in a wild upset and was being praised before things went south.
Now Dobbs is seeing another similar pattern — one where opposing defenses realize that if they keep him contained in the pocket, he's not much of a threat.
The Raiders have one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in Maxx Crosby and they should be able to contain Dobbs. Las Vegas may also force some turnovers — Dobbs leads the NFL in total turnovers, including seven lost fumbles.
Bet Minnesota vs. Las Vegas at FanDuel
Las Vegas' offense isn't much to write home about either, to be fair.
O’Connell has been decent for a rookie quarterback who didn't come into the season expecting to start. He has tried to get Davante Adams more involved and Josh Jacobs had a fantastic game against the Chiefs before the bye week. However, the Raiders will face a tough test against a Vikings defense that is top 10 in defensive DVOA.
There is a lot of chatter about Justin Jefferson’s return, but he's a bit of an unknown commodity. Is he 100%? How sharp will he be after a long hiatus? More importantly, what kind of connection will Dobbs and Jefferson have?
Of course, it’s nice to have Jefferson on the field, but I'm not sold on how effective he'll be in this version of the Vikings offense yet.
At the end of the day, I just can’t back Dobbs as a 3-point road favorite. The Raiders have a couple of strong offensive weapons and an elite pass rusher to go after Dobbs.
I actually trust O’Connell to play mistake-free football more than I do Dobbs. In a game with such a low total, where points should be at a premium, having the quarterback more likely to give away points is a massive red flag.
Raiders vs. Vikings
Betting Picks & Predictions
The Vikings seem to be headed in the wrong direction and a trip to Las Vegas against the Raiders, who still seem motivated under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, is a true coin-flip game.
Getting a home underdog at a key number is too much to pass up.
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